RENEWING your Irish passport in Britain just got easier after a new, instantaneous passport renewal service was rolled out in major cities in England, Scotland and Wales.
The service, launched by secure digital photo provider Photo-Me, allows users to access their passport photo online rather than relying on a physical print.
How does it work?
Users receive a unique code after getting their picture taken in a Photo-Me photobooth.
The unique code allows applicants to access their digital ID photo online – transferred securely from the photobooth – and easily attach it to an online application form on the Department of Foreign Affairs website.
The entire passport renewal application process now takes less than ten minutes.
Where will it be?
In Britain, the service is being rolled-out in cities including Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff and London through Photo-Me’s partners – which include the major supermarkets.
The first Britain-based Photo-Me photobooth was installed at the Birmingham Irish Association, with Ireland’s Ambassador to Britain, Dan Mulhall, in attendance to test out the new booth.
Access to Photo-Me by Irish citizens in Britain follows the launch of Photo-Me in Ireland in March, which will see rollout of 300 secure online photobooths across the Emerald Isle by 2018.
By the end of this year, 98 per cent of the population of Ireland will live within 5km of a Photo-Me secure upload ID photobooth.
What are they saying?
Ambassador Dan Mulhall said: “I am delighted to see the Photo-Me Irish passport photos being extended to Britain.
“The new online renewal system has already proven to be very popular, providing a fast and efficient service. The new Photo-Me Irish passport service will hopefully make it even easier to use this system here in Britain.”
Photo-Me say that their system is completely secure and offers an “easy use” alternative to traditional passport renewal techniques.
“Identification security is an ever increasing area of concern for governments across Europe,” said Serge Crasnianski, Chief Executive of Photo-Me.
“We are delighted to extend our fast, easy use and cost effective service to major UK cities, simplifying the passport renewal process for Irish citizens located in the UK.”
In other photobooth-related news, the world’s first passport photo booth designed especially for dogs opens in London on Thursday.
See More: Featured, Irish In Britain, Irish Passport, Passport
