‘Operational improvements’ have reduced BOTC passport processing times from 20 weeks to between 4 and 8 weeks, according to Government
Passport processing times have been cut down, Government announced today.
The news was published following online complaints from people waiting months for their passports.
The Department of Immigration said there has been “significant improvement in processing times for British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC) Bermuda passports.”
“Applicants no longer need to wait up to 20 weeks to receive a new passport. Thanks to recent operational enhancements, first-time, lost, or stolen passport applications are now processed within 6 to 8 weeks, and renewal applications within 4 to 6 weeks.”
This comes a week after a post on Facebook group, Maj’s List, asking for a timeline on Bermuda passport processing.
Several responders said the Immigration Department was quoting up to 20 weeks, while others complained about a much longer wait.
“Mine has been on since May. Not back yet”, said one commenter, while another said “mine took 26 weeks”.
Another responder recommended getting a UK passport instead, and having it stamped with Bermuda status.
BOTC passports are printed in the UK, but local improvements have streamlined turnaround times, Government advised.
The restoration of the ‘BMU’ country code is also cited as a “major achievement” which, along with the reduced processing times, “demonstrates the Department’s ongoing commitment to delivering faster, more reliable service and passports that continue to support seamless international travel.”
The Department of Immigration thanked the public for their patience.
Government of Bermuda Press Release:
The Department of Immigration is pleased to announce a significant improvement in processing times for British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC) Bermuda passports.
Applicants no longer need to wait up to 20 weeks to receive a new passport. Thanks to recent operational enhancements, first-time, lost, or stolen passport applications are now processed within 6 to 8 weeks, and renewal applications within 4 to 6 weeks.
Although BOTC Bermuda passports continue to be printed at His Majesty’s Passport Office in the United Kingdom, the Department’s local process improvements have streamlined turnaround times, reducing the processing times for passport applications.
The restoration of the “BMU” country code to BOTC Bermuda passports on April 30, 2024, was a major achievement. Combined with the reduction in processing times, this demonstrates the Department’s ongoing commitment to delivering faster, more reliable service and passports that continue to support seamless international travel.
The Department of Immigration thanks the Bermuda public for its patience. For questions or more information about the passport application process, please visit www.gov.bm/department/immigration or call 246-8093.
