2.5 million ePassports circulating in the UK
Since their introduction in March this year, 2.5 million biometric-enabled ePassports have been distributed in the UK.
Starting today, all new passport applications will be for the new biometric document - which will contain information on the holder’s face. First-time applications will also be required to complete an interview before being granted their ePassport.
The new passport looks similar in design to the old one, but bears the international ePassport symbol as well as new security features including an intricate page design and watermark. British birds have been used as a theme throughout, apparently symbolising the freedom for travel, as well as providing scope for developing security features. The birds picked to appear include the red kite, merlin, kingfisher and red grouse.
The security boost provided by the biometric-enabled passports has come at a cost - a £15 price hike on adult passports since last year.
Over 40 countries currently have plans to introduce ePassports - here are the document prices for some of those countries:
Switzerland: £219New Zealand: £123Belgium: £96Norway: £87Iceland: £81USA: £54France: £41
Read more at the BBC.