From now on, all Bermuda passports will be printed in a digital format to enhance security features.

"The Department of Immigration is currently upgrading the passport issuing equipment to meet new international standards," Public Affairs Officer, John Burchall said.

Craig Tyrell, Personal Services Manager at the Department of Immigration described some of the security features, although did not want to give away too much information on the security features.

"We are moving away from laminated pictures to digital photographs. The images will be printed directly onto the paper in the passport. At present, the only signature in passports are signatures made after the passport is issued."

From next month, signatures made on passport application forms will be copied onto passports.

"They will look exactly like UK passports do right now," he said.

Bermuda passports have had bar codes since 1994, he said.

"With the age we are in, these security features will make passports more difficult to forge," he said.

"Passports will continue to take eight working days to be processed but due to the upgrade, all requests for express passports will be suspended until October 4," Mr. Burchall said.

However, travellers headed for the United States may be permitted to travel on an expired passport, as long as their passport photograph closely resembles them.

"The Department of Immigration will make every effort to accommodate persons in emergencies and special circumstances on a case-by-case basis," he said.

Those who need their passports urgently, may be deigned applicable for emergency consideration.

These cases may contact the Department of Immigration at 295-5151 ext. 1393.

"Please bear with us during this time of transition. Our overall aim is to improve our service to the public," he said.