What is a Second Passport?
- An additional passport, usually referred to as a Second Passport, is issued by Her Majesty’s Passport Office in special cases for frequent travelers under specific circumstances.
- If required and under rigorous examination additional passports can be issued from the Passport Office resulting in holding up to 3 or even 4 passports simultaneously. Of course, this only happened in a few rare cases and mostly involves government staff.
- A Second passport will carry a different passport number and a different picture to the other issued passport and it is by no means a duplicate passport. More specifically duplicate passports do not exist in the UK and the use of the term is deemed false.
- On the Second Passport the holder´s name will appear identical to his other passport. Any additional observations will also carry over to the Second Passport, with the exception of only very few cases, for example, dual nationals travelling to incompatible countries.
- The Second Passport will have validity of 10 years and can be issued in the standard 32 page or the jumbo 48 page size. It is usually beneficial to opt for the larger size and on a case by case basis, the Passport Office examiner can suggest or request to apply for the larger size.
- The Second Passport does not apply to passports of 2 different British nationalities (e.g. British Overseas Territories citizen, British Subject, British National (Overseas) etc.) nor two different passport types (e.g. an official or diplomatic passport and a personal passport)
- It is very important to understand that from the time one holds a Second Passport both passports are considered Second Passports. That signifies different requirements in case of a Renewal of any of the two. That being said at any time the holder can decide to return to holding just one passport and can send the second passport to the Passport Office to be officially cancelled, either during the renewal of his other passport or at any time he wishes.
Benefits of holding a Second Passport
- One of the main benefits of holding a Second Passport is the ability to submit one passport with an Embassy along with a visa application while travelling on the other one. That simplifies travel plans and eliminates time restriction on travel due to lengthy visa processing times.
- A Second Passport is also necessary in case of travel to incompatible countries (countries with political differences where a stamp of a country in the passport could cause a visa application rejection from another country) each passport can be used for specific destinations only in order to avoid conflict.
- For very frequent travelers, travelling on business or for studies, that cross boarders in daily basis and therefore their passport fill up with visas and entry-exit stamps in a very short amount of time and cannot be left with no passport at hand for any period of time
- When working as Air crew it is mandatory to always carry a passport. It is also likely that they might require to get visas for their work and therefore a Second Passport is greatly beneficial.
Who Can Apply for a Second Passport
- Business travelers who require multiple visas to different destinations due to work reasons, often travelling on one passport while getting a visa on the other.
- Travelers to countries with political differences which may prevent travel between them too. That also applies to people that have dual citizenship of another incompatible country, usually in the form of an observation printed on their British passport.
- Frequent travelers due to work reasons whose passport fills up with entry and exit stamps in a very short time and cannot afford being left with no passport at hand.
- Frequent traveler´s dependents or partners in order to accompany them for an extended period.
- Students that are travelling in daily basis due to their studies, in order to continue their studies with no disruption.
- Person escorting a student such as a parent or carer, accompanying the student on their journey across the border.
- People working as airline crew
- British government staff travelling on official business
How to Apply for a Second Passport
- In face of the current Covid19 regulations the fastest way of applying for a Second British Passport is via the Passport Office´s fast track service. A face to face appointment with the Passport Office can be booked and paid for online. Bear in mind that from the time of booking, the soonest date available for an appointment would be 2 working days. The turnaround on the fast track service would be 7- 8 working days from the time of the appointment. The applicant can appear in person or authorize another person or an agent who can attend the appointment on their behalf. Once the passport is issued it will be posted, guaranteed next day delivery, to the applicant’s home address as stated in the application form. In the past the Premium one day service was also available for Second Passports. Unfortunately, it not yet announced whether this will be offered again.
- Applications can also be submitted from any major UK Post Office using the check and send process. A member of the Post Office team will be able to pre-check all relevant paperwork and submit internally. The process will take around 10 weeks and the passport will be posted, guaranteed next day delivery, to the applicant’s home address as stated in the application form.
- When applying from abroad an applicant can utilize the Passport Office´s online service and depending on the specific location the processing time would be from 10 to 15 weeks. Using an authorized agent can expedite the mentioned timeframe.
- The most time efficient and straightforward way of applying for a Second Passport is using a Passport Office authorized agent that can assist with completing the relevant form, pre-check all additional documentation and lastly book and attend the appointment on your behalf. The processing time would be 7- 8 working days from the time of submission of the application with the Passport Office.
- It is important to point out that the Passport Office requirements are very strict, and the examiner can reject the application on many different grounds. A rejection would mean re-booking the appointment for a later date, as per the Passport Office´s availability and providing new documentation as per the examiner’s remarks. Therefore, using an experienced and knowledgeable agent can save time and minimize the rejection risk.
The Main Requirements for a Second Passport
- A fully and correctly completed paper passport application form that can be obtained from any major UK Post Office.
- 2 recent and identical passport sized pictures which meet the Passport Office´s guidelines one of which must be countersigned by the same person that completes Section 10 of the application form. That must be a person that knows the applicant for a minimum of 2 years, lives and works in the UK and hold a valid British or Irish passport. That person must additionally not be related or in a relationship with the applicant or reside at the same address. In case of an applicant under 16 years of age, the counter signatory must confirm he knows the parent or adult who signed on Section 9 on behalf of the applicant. Note that the pictures must be different to the ones in your other passport.
- If possible the original first passport or photocopies of all information pages and pages with visas and entry-exit stamps as proof of being a frequent traveler. In case the applicant decides to provide his original passport, it will be checked by the officer and returned at the spot.
- An originally signed letter form the applicant´s employer or head of faculty in case of a student traveler, certifying their need for a 2nd passport. The letter must be printed on official letterheaded paper stating the company´s / school´s registration number, address and contact numbers and originally signed (pen on paper) by a senior member of the organization. Lastly it must be dated within a month from the submission date. If the applicant is self-employed the letter can originate from a client or himself.
- An authorization letter allowing the submission of the application from a 3rd party, clearly stating their name and ID information.
- If the applicant was naturalized to be British a copy of the naturalization certificate will be requested.
- If the applicant wishes for his title to be shown on the second Passport it must be firstly shown on the first passport. When applying for the Second Passport he must provide a copy of an official certificate of his title. For example, if you wish your title as Dr to appear on the passport you must provide a copy of your University PHD certificate.
- If the applicant holds dual nationality, he will also be asked to present his non-British passport at the submission process. The passport will not be held by the Passport Office, just checked at the appointment.
- In case of urgent applications an additional letter explaining the reasons for urgency could be beneficial. Yet that will not necessarily expedite the issue of the passport.
Travelling to incompatible countries
- Although the UK Government does not encourage travelers to conceal their
travel history using multiple passports, sometimes it is necessary to use an
additional passport in order to travel to conflicting destinations. We will
attempt to summarize the most common destinations as it currently stands but
it would be for the best to always consult the Foreign and Commonwealth
office about specific travel restriction for the intended country of travel.
When travelling to a country that has political differences with another it
is likely that a visa application with the relevant Embassy will be rejected
on one of the following two grounds:
- Previous travel to the other conflicting country with the proof of a
visa or immigration stamp within the passport.
- Dual citizenship of another country, incompatible to the country of
travel. Their UK passport will most likely carry a note of their dual
nationality that could trigger the visa rejection.
- When a Second Passport is required on these grounds and in support to the
application with the Passport Office you must provide either proof of
previous travel (visa or entry-exit stamps) or an Employer or Client support
letter explaining the intention to travel to these incompatible
destinations. In case of dual citizenship, the original non-British passport
must be shown to the examiner.
- Links with Israel. If a traveler has Israeli dual citizenship or there is
evidence that he has travelled there in the past it is likely to experience
issues with getting visas to the below destination. That would also mean
that they would qualify getting a Second Passport to allow travel.
- Iran
- Iraq
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Pakistan
- Saudi Arabia
- Sudan
- Syria
- Yemen
- Links with Libya and Saudi Arabia. Carrying a Libyan passport or having
proof of travelling to Libya in the past could hinder the chances of getting
a visa and being able to travel to Saudi Arabia. That would qualify as
grounds for the need of a Second Passport.
- Links with Yemen and Pakistan as per above. Carrying a Yemeni passport or
having proof of travelling to Yemen in the past could hinder the chances of
getting a visa and being able to travel to Pakistan. That would qualify as
grounds for the need of a Second Passport.
- Travel from Cuba to the USA through Mexico. More specifically Second
Passport holders that travel from Cuba to Mexico with the USA as their final
destination must ensure to use one passport for the trip from Cuba to Mexico
and the other one from Mexico to the USA. As the cross the border from
Mexico their passport will be stamped from the local authorities with
“Arrived from Cuba”. That could arise issued when trying to
enter USA soil on that passport.
- Travel to Serbia from Kosovo. As entry to Serbia could be rejected when
travelling from the Republic of Kosovo a Second Passport could accommodate
the travel.
- Links with Residency in Qatar. Due to an ongoing diplomatic dispute, UK
nationals that are residents in Qatar and work for governmental bodies
relating to:
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
- Bahrain
- Egypt
are eligible for a Second Passport allowing them to travel in the Middle
East and safely return to the country of residence. - According to the exact travel needs of a Second Passport applicant, the
Passport Office might issue a Full or Restricted Validity passport.
Restricted Validity Passports is only issued in exceptional circumstances,
for example, allowing a one-off visit. When a British national is stranded
overseas in a similar circumstance the FCO could issue an emergency travel
document (ETD) to allow their return home.
Dual nationality Versus a Second Passport: The difference
- Having a dual nationality, sometime referred to as dual citizenship, means that someone holds British nationality as well as the nationality of another country at the same time.
- The UK does allow dual nationals to hold a British Passport alongside their other nationality´s passport, unlike other countries where applicants are required to renounce any other citizenship and will be only be allowed to hold one passport.
- When having dual nationality, it is important that all your information such as name, place and date of birth are identical on both passports and it is likely that your British passport will carry a note pointing out the other nationality.
- Dual citizens have certain benefits, such as owing property in the two countries, access to both education systems, having the ability to freely live and work in both countries, and lastly travel between the two countries with relative ease. Also holding 2 passports can result to being able to travel on one passport while submitting the other for visa applications with Embassies. One can also choose which passport to use for each destination, depending on the political relationship between the 2 countries. Do note that if one of the nationalities is in political conflict with the travel destination, having a UK passport does not necessarily elevate all issues as it will most probably state the other nationality and that in some cases could result to rejection of a potential visa application.
- Disadvantages of being a dual citizen are the potential for double taxation as well as the lengthy and costly process of obtaining dual citizenship. Applying for dual citizenship is a complicated and typically expensive process that may require the assistance of an immigration lawyer.
- Holding a Second British Passport does not imply in any way having dual nationality. A Second Passport holder is a British national that for specific reasons requires a Second Passport to facilitate his travel requirements on regular basis. It is important to clarify that holding 2 different type of British Nationalities such as British Overseas Territories citizen, British Subject, British National (Overseas) etc. is not considered as holding a Second Passport.
- The advantages of holding a Second passport are related to flexibility in travel for a number of reasons and there are no drawbacks of any sort. A Second Passport holder can expedite his travel plans as he can travel on one passport while submitting the other at Embassies along with visa applications. The process of obtaining a Second passport holder is relatively straight forward and quick, especially when consulting an experienced agent. A Second Passport can also assist in cases of travel to incompatible countries due to political differences. A Second Passport could be also beneficial, even in cases of dual nationals, where the other (non-British) nationality might be in conflict with the travel destination and the remark of their nationality appears on the British Passport. Under these circumstances they can be issued a Second British Passport missing their other nationality´s note to facilitate the travel and visa issue.
Location of Passport Offices
Currently, there are only 7 Passport Office’s in the United Kingdom.
They are located in Belfast, Durham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Newport and
Peterborough. Below you can find their address, contact numbers, opening hours
and websites.
Address: Law Society House 90 – 106 Victoria Street, Belfast,BT1 3GN
Phone Number: 0300 222 0000 (Adviceline) Opening times: From 8:00 am to 5:00
pm, Monday to Friday and 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday Website:
http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/her-majestys-passport-office-northern-ireland-regional-office
Address: Millburngate House, Durham, DH97 1PA, Phone Number: 0300 222 0000,
Opening times: From 8:30 am to 8:00 pm Monday to Friday and 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Saturday, Website:
https://www.gov.uk/passport-interview-office
Address: 3 Northgate, 96 Milton Street, Cowcaddens, Glasgow, G4 0BT, Phone
Number: 0300 222 0000, Opening Times: From 8:15 am to 8:00 pm Monday to
Friday, and 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday, Website:
https://www.gov.uk/passport-interview-office - Liverpool Passport Office
Address: 101 Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9BD, Phone Number: 0300 222 0000,
Opening times: From 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday to Friday and 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Saturday, Website:
https://www.gov.uk/passport-interview-office
Address: Globe House, 89 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PN, Phone Number:
0300 222 0000, Opening times: From 7:45 am to 9:00 pm Monday to Friday and
9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday, Website:
https://www.gov.uk/passport-interview-office
Address: Nexus House, Mission Court, Newport, Gwent, NP20 2DW, Phone Number:
0300 222 0000, Opening times: From 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday to Friday, and
8:00 am to 3:30 pm Saturday, Website:
https://www.gov.uk/passport-interview-office - Peterborough Passport Office
Address: Aragon Court, Northminster Road, Peterborough, PE1 1QG, Phone Number:
0300 222 0000, Opening times: From 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday to Friday, and
9:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday, Website:
https://www.gov.uk/passport-interview-office 
