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Cheaper passports on the way

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Cheaper passports on the way

3News NZ

An application for a passport currently costs $153.30 (file)

An application for a passport currently costs $153.30 (file)

Cheaper passports are on the way as the government moves to online applications.

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain says the current $153.30 fee is set at cost recovery level and online applications will cut the cost.

"Online applications have been trialled successfully and will be available to the public by the end of the year," he said today.

"This will streamline the process of applying for a passport and reduce costs, providing the opportunity to look at the level of fees."

Mr Tremain says reducing the fee will need a change to the regulations, and he isn't saying when that will happen.

NZN

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Comments

5/09/2012 2:49:53 p.m.

George Mihaljevich wrote:

Some years back we hade passports valid for 10yrs. Then the government cut the duration to 5yrs (effective 4.5yrs) and doubled the price. What is the reason for this when most countries have 10yr passports. Comparable countries with advanced technology su8ch as European Union have 10 years. Are we that backward that we have not got the know-how to issue our people with a 10yr one. We can pay more but at least give us a choice.

5/09/2012 1:43:08 p.m.

Greg wrote:

Is replacing passports easier in this process change. Are they going to revert back to a 10 year renewal, many visa requirements want more than 6 months before expiry date of passports.
If your going to tinker with the passport process Chris then fix everything. The 5 year expiry date is a gype.