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MANILA, Philippines?Starting September 16, the British embassy here will no longer accept British passport renewal applications, it said in a news release.
?As with other passport renewals across Asia, these will be processed by our Regional Processing Center in Hong Kong. This will not affect the present four-week turn around time expected,? said British Consul Joanne Finnamore-Crorkin.
?All renewal applications will therefore have to be sent by the applicant directly to Hong Kong. The embassy will be unable to process renewal applications or send them on to Hong Kong," she added.
The new system is part of the British government?s global initiative to streamline its overseas passport operation, which includes the establishment of an emergency travel document (ETD) now available to any British national who needs to travel urgently.
?We are pleased to announce that this week we have issued our first emergency travel document for UK citizens. This travel document makes it easier for British nationals who suddenly find themselves with an immediate need to travel and find out their passport has been lost, damaged, unavailable, or full,? Finnamore-Crorkin said.
?The document is valid for a specific journey within a set period of time. British nationals here in the Philippines are advised to apply for a full passport at the Regional Processing Center in Hong Kong at the same time,? she added.
The embassy said the new system will reduce administration costs while improving security and maintaining a high quality of customer service. It said details on the changes are posted on the British embassy website and sent to British nationals who are registered on the embassy?s Locate service.
Finnamore-Crorkin thus called on British nationals to register using the embassy?s Locate service. ?If we can find you, we can help you. Once you?re registered with us, we will ensure that you are kept up to date with all the information received by the embassy on issues that are relevant to the British community,? she said.
?It takes only a few minutes to register, and doing so means that we can send you valuable information at the touch of a button. If there?s a typhoon where you are, British embassy staff would be able to pinpoint your location and provide you with assistance. If there?s a security problem in your area, embassy staff can help with possible evacuation. All you need to do is sign up,? she explained.
For further information, please visit the British Embassy website.
