ePassports start their travels

The first ePassports, which feature personal information stored on a computer chip, have been issued.

According to the Home Office, ePassports are now being issued by the Foreign Office in Washington, and stocks are being built up for other offices, with the public likely to start getting them from April.

The new, more secure passports will be rolled out gradually until the end of the summer. In the early stages of the change-over, some people will receive a new biometric passport, while others will receive an existing digital passport.

The new passports contain a chip which holds a facial biometric.

Existing passports remain valid until their expiry date and holders do not need to exchange them for biometric passports.

The Home Office told silicon.com the rollout will be completed by the "end of the summer as planned - well in advance of the US visa waiver deadline in October".

Countries that are part of the US visa waiver scheme must comply with new International Aviation Organisation standards and begin issuing biometric passports incorporating a facial image by October 2006 to remain in the scheme.

Other biometrics such as fingerprints and iris scans may be added to the passport at a later date. From the end of 2006, first-time adult passport applicants will also have to attend an interview to confirm their identity.

Click here to see photos of the new passport and chip.