The Guide to Different Types of British Passports

A passport is one of the essential documents that allows international travel. There are many types of British passports, and they are a gateway to rights, privileges, and responsibilities tied to British nationality. The United Kingdom recognizes multiple passports reflecting the country's historical ties, political relationships, and varied citizenship statuses. If you want to get familiar with the different types of British passports, then stay tuned with us.

In this blog, we will shed light on the types of British passports. Apart from this, we will also learn their purposes and how they cater to unique demographics, offering clarity on which passport best suits your needs.

The Standard British Passport (Blue Passport)

Blue passport, or we can say the standard British passport that is issued to citizens, belongs to the United Kingdom. After a long time of being red during the UK's participation in the European Union, it reclaimed its characteristic blue cover in 2020.

Who Is Eligible?

British citizens: born in the UK. (Those born abroad with a claim to British citizenship).

Features of Blue British Passport

• Validity: 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors.
• Chip Technology: Contains biometric data.
• Visa-Free Travel: Access to over 170 countries without a visa.

Uses of Standard British Passport:

This Blue British passport is versatile and used as a traveling document and citizenship proof. It is commonly used for identification in various legal processes within the UK.

British Overseas Territories Passport (BOTC Passport)

British Overseas Territories (BOTs) are remnants of the British Empire. Citizens of these territories are issued the BOTC passport, denoting their connection to the UK.

Eligible Territories

• Bermuda
• Cayman Islands
• Gibraltar
• Falkland Islands
• British Virgin Islands

Who Is Eligible for BOTC?

Residents of the BOTs with British Overseas Territories Citizenship (BOTC).

Features BOTC Passport

• Design: Similar to the standard passport but marked as a BOTC passport.
• Rights: Limited rights to reside or work in the UK unless BOTC citizens also hold British citizenship.
• Travel: easier access to the UK and certain Commonwealth countries.

British National (Overseas) Passport (BN(O) Passport)

Introduced in 1987, the BN(O) passport was designed for individuals in Hong Kong who had British nationality but were not automatically granted full British citizenship when Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997.

Who Is Eligible?

Residents of Hong Kong who registered for BN(O) status before 1997.

The status cannot be passed to descendants.

Features

• Visa-Free Travel: Access to many countries, but limited compared to the standard British passport.
• Special Rights: BN(O) holders are eligible for the UK’s BN(O) visa, allowing them to live, work, and study in the UK.
• Non-Citizenship: No grant of the right to reside in the UK unless other arrangements are made.

Recent Developments

The BN(O) passport gained prominence after the UK introduced pathways for BN(O) holders to settle in the UK amid political changes in Hong Kong.

British Overseas Passport

It is another type of British passport that is issued to individuals who have British overseas citizenship (BOC). A status was established for those who were disqualified for other post-colonial British nationality categories.

Who Is Eligible?

Those who held British nationality in former colonies but were not granted citizenship of the newly independent states.

Features

• Travel Rights: Limited visa-free travel options.
• Residency in the UK: Does not automatically grant the right to live or work in the UK.
• Application for Citizenship: Many BOCs eventually apply for British citizenship.

British Protected Person (BPP) Passport

The British Protected Person passport is issued to individuals linked to former British protectorates or protected states.

Who Is Eligible?

Former British-protected state nationals who did not obtain citizenship in another country before their independence.

Features

• Limited Rights: Holders cannot reside or work in the UK without additional permits.
• Travel: Few visa-free travel opportunities.
• Non-Transferable: BPP status cannot be inherited.

British Subject Passport

The British Subject passport reflects an older form of British nationality, predominantly linked to individuals from former British India and Ireland.

Who Is Eligible?

Individuals who retained British subject status after the independence of former colonies.

Features

• Travel Rights: Restricted compared to other British passports.
• UK Residency: Does not automatically confer the right to live in the UK.
• Decline in Issuance: Since the mid-20th century, British subject status has diminished as other citizenships replaced it.

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Emergency Travel Document (ETD)

The ETD is a temporary passport issued to British nationals in urgent situations, such as lost or stolen passports while abroad.

Who Is Eligible?

All British nationals stranded abroad without a valid passport.

Features

• Validity: Short-term, typically limited to the duration of the journey.
• Purpose: Allows emergency travel to the UK or another agreed destination.
• Application Process: Requires proof of identity and urgent need.

Diplomatic Passport

This passport is reserved for British diplomats and officials traveling on government business.

Who Is Eligible?

Members of the UK’s diplomatic service. Certain government officials and royal family members.

Features

• Privileges: Easier passage through international borders.
• Validity: Dependent on the diplomat’s service tenure.
• Design: Includes a statement requesting courtesies for the bearer.

Official Passport

Similar to the diplomatic passport, this is issued to non-diplomatic government employees traveling for official purposes.

Who Is Eligible?

UK government officials on official assignments abroad.

Features

• Limited Use: Valid only for the duration of the official task.

It’s all about the different types of British passports. Now we will check out the difference between all the above-mentioned passports based on residency rights, visa-free access, and eligibility.

Differences Between British Passports

Choosing the Right Passport

Your eligibility for a British passport depends on your nationality status, often determined by ancestry, place of birth, or ties to a former British territory. Ensure you have accurate documentation when applying to confirm your eligibility.

Applying for a British Passport

• Determine Your Nationality Status: Check your eligibility based on ancestry, residency, or citizenship.
• Gather Required Documents: Includes proof of identity, citizenship, and supporting evidence.
• Apply Online or via Post: The UK Passport Office offers digital and physical application processes.
• Processing Time: This varies from a few weeks to months, depending on the type of passport.

This is all about the British overseas territory variant passport. Alongside the above, we also talked about the difference between all British passports and the process of applying for a British passport. 

So if you want any type of British passport and are in search of the best immigration service provider, then choose Visament. Let’s shed light on the reasons that make it one of the greatest players in this field.

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Reasons That Make Visament the First Choice

When we talk about the best immigration service provider throughout the world, Visament is one. It is known for offering all services related to a visa and passport. There are ample reasons that Visament is the finest immigration service provider, which are as follows:

• 24*7 customer support
• Speedy Approval
• Optimize Time
• Inexpensive Prices
• Clarity and Clearness

These are some of the main reasons that make Visament the first choice, and by providing the best service to its clients, it stands out from the crowd. So if you are in search of an organization that can make the visa and passport process easier and hassle-free, then choose this company.