Passport fees increase.

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A decision made (31/08/2006) regarding Passport fees increase.

Subject:	Passport fees increase
Decision Reference:	MD-HA-2006-0060	Exempt clause(s):
Type of Report (oral or written):	Written	Person Giving Report (if oral):
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?		Report File ref:		4/4/Passports/Finance HAD/IMM 1
Written Report – Title:	Passport fees increase for 2006	Written report – Author:		John T Noel Director Immigration & Nationality
Decision(s): To approve an increase in passport fees to come into effect upon the introduction of biometric passports. The fees to be £66 for an adult’s passport and £45 for a child’s passport.
Reason(s) for decision: To maintain income from sale of passports at sufficient level to meet costs of issue.
Action required: Director Immigration & Nationality to arrange for the fees increase to be published in the Gazette and to bring them into effect on an appropriate date.
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision: 31 August 2006

Passport fees increase.

Customs and Immigration

Report

To: Minister for Home Affairs
	From: John T. Noel
	Director Immigration & Nationality


	Date: 16 August 2006

Passport fees increase for 2006

Passport fees are due to increase in the United Kingdom from 05 October 2006.By this date the UK Identity and Passport Service envisage that they will have ceased to issue the current style of machine readable passport and be producing only biometric books.

The UK fees are to be increased from £51 to £66 for an adult’s passport and from £34 to £45 for a child’s passport.

The introduction of a biometric system in Jersey will have substantially higher revenue costs due to the technology and security requirements of the system. In addition enhanced checks will have to be carried out on certain applicants in order to verify their identity.

In accordance with Treasury Directions the fee charged for services should be on a user pays basis and the income generated should not greatly exceed the costs. It is calculated that charging the same fees as the UK will ensure compliance with the Directions. The Treasurer of the States has accordingly approved the fees increase and the Minister is requested to give her formal approval so that the public may be notified.

It is proposed the fees be introduced as from the date that we commence issuing biometric passports which is now anticipated to be on 09 October.

18 August 2006

John T. Noel

Director Immigration & Nationality