BILDER

So I received my new UK passport a few weeks ago and used it subsequently to travel to the UK, though not without trouble. When I handed my passport to the officer, he was very surprised that it had been issued in August of 2011. He said that the 'design' was old and no new passports were being printed in that design, at least for more than a year. He said that my passport was 'suspect'. A few minutes later and I was finally permitted to leave. I was wondering if anyone who recently received their passport from the Embassy in D.C. have the new style UK Passport or the old one.

md95065

Well, he clearly didn't know what he was talking about ...

According to the Home Office web site the new passport didn't even start to be phased in until October 2010 and it also makes clear that "some customers will get the current passport during this time of transition" (although it doesn't indicate just how long that transition might be).

I seem to recall this happening before and that the US was still issuing passports without chips in them for quite a while after they were first introduced.

... presumably after he asked someone else who told him that he was being an idiot ...

British Consul

Bilder,

Overseas passport operations (such as the one in Washington) only issued the old style passports. From 29 September 2011, all passport printing is undertaken in the UK and passports will be issued in the new design (see our announcement on the UKinUSA website about this: http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/help-fo...w-to-apply/usa). Note: You'll still apply for your passport through the Passport Office in Washington though.

I can only assume that the Immigration Officer was having a bad day.

Dean

Marocco

Which, from my experience with UK immigration officers, is the case about 90% of the time.

BILDER

Ok, great stuff Dean and Marocco. Thanks for answering!