The British Embassy has announced changes to passport procedures.

Customers applying for a British passport in Korea will continue to use the Regional Passport Processing Center (RPPC) in Hong Kong but their new passport will be printed in the United Kingdom.

Effective immediately, customers will receive the new-style passport with more sophisticated security features required to meet international quality and security standards.

These passports reduce the likelihood of identity theft and fraud.

The changes also mean that British passport applicants will receive one package from the United Kingdom containing the new passport, and a second from the RPPC containing the original supporting documents.

The passport fee will not change, nor will processing times as advertised on the embassy’s website. However, courier fees will.

These changes form part of the British government’s global plan to move passport processing back to the United Kingdom.

More information can be viewed at www.britain.or.kr.

(yoav@heraldcorp.com)