Registrar General, Mrs. Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro has said that British Overseas Territories Citizens (BOTC) and/or British passports are still being processed following some delays as a result of the industrial strike in the United Kingdom from April 3 to May 5.

Mrs. O’Flaherty-Maduro said citizens could renew their BOTC and/or British passport within nine (9) months of expiration. She also stressed the importance of maintaining travel documents at this time.

 “As we are in the summer holidays, and hurricane season, the Civil Registry and Passport Office (CRPO) would like to stress the importance, more so than ever, to ensure that your travel documents remain valid,” the Registrar General said.

Mrs. O’Flaherty-Maduro added, “Citizens are encouraged to check the validity of their passport before making definitive plans for travel and take action to renew their passport well in advance of travel.”

Meanwhile, the Civil Registry and Passport Office is apologising for any delays caused as a result of the industrial strike by members of the Public and Commercial Services Union working across England, Scotland and Wales, which included more than 1,000 Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) staff.

A Home Office spokesperson has expressed that in spite of the strike, the HMPO continues to turnover British (UK) and BOTC (BVI) passports within ten weeks.

For more information, persons can contact the Civil Registry and Passport Office at 284 468-3036 or infocris@gov.vg.