Passport renewal in St. Helena
Renewing a St. Helena passport typically involves completing an application form, providing necessary supporting documents, and submitting them to the Immigration Section. The process is handled locally, but passports are produced by His Majesty's Passport Office in the UK.
It is generally advisable to begin the passport renewal process several months before the current passport's expiry date. This allows ample time for potential delays in processing, particularly as the physical passports are produced in the UK and then shipped to St. Helena. Account for appointment availability, document gathering, and international shipping times.
Start 112 days ahead
The St. Helena government advises a processing time of approximately 16 weeks (112 days) for new or renewed passports, as they are printed in the UK.
The process
- 1Obtain an application form from the Immigration Section, the Customer Service Centre, or download it from the St. Helena Government website.
- 2Complete the application form accurately and legibly.
- 3Gather all required supporting documents, which typically include the old passport, birth certificate, and proof of St. Helena status.
- 4Arrange for suitable passport photographs to be taken, adhering to HM Passport Office guidelines.
- 5Submit the completed application, supporting documents, and photographs to the Immigration Section. Payment of the fee will also be required at this stage.
- 6Await notification from the Immigration Section regarding the collection of the new passport.
What to bring
- Current passport (for renewal)
- Full birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable, for name changes)
- Proof of St. Helena status (e.g., St. Helena Status Passport)
- Two recent, identical passport-sized photographs (colour, compliant with HM Passport Office standards)
- Any other document requested by the Immigration Section
Who handles it
Immigration Section, St Helena Government
https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/
As of September 2023, the fee for an adult (34-page) passport was £82.50. The fee for a child's passport was £53.50. These fees are subject to change and should be confirmed with the Immigration Section at the time of application.
What commonly goes wrong
- Ensure passport photos meet strict HM Passport Office standards; poorly taken photos are a common reason for application delays.
- Allow sufficient time for processing, as passports are printed in the UK and then shipped to St. Helena, leading to a longer turnaround than domestic processes.
- Verify all required supporting documents are current and correctly presented to avoid delays.
Sources
Other documents in St. Helena
Passport renewal in other countries
Often renewed together
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