Giant’s Causeway celebrated in new UK passport design issued from today

The Giant’s Causeway is set to be seen by travellers across the world as it takes pride of place in the newly redesigned British passport, officially issued from today, Monday 1 December.

The landmark basalt columns join three other UNESCO-protected natural landscapes in a major visual update to the UK passport’s pages.

The new design also marks the first appearance of His Majesty King Charles III’s Coat of Arms in a British passport, symbolising a new chapter in the document’s long history.

The four nations of the UK are represented through striking images of Ben Nevis in Scotland, the Lake District in England, Three Cliffs Bay in Wales, and Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway — a move intended to celebrate the UK’s natural heritage on an international stage.

Described by the Home Office as the most secure British passport ever produced, it incorporates cutting-edge anti-forgery and verification technology.

New holographic and translucent features aim to make the passport more durable, easier for border authorities to authenticate, and significantly harder for criminals to forge or tamper with.

According to the release, the enhanced security plays a key part in efforts to “help prevent illegal entry by people with no right to be in the UK”, supporting the government’s wider Plan for Change to strengthen border security.

“A new era in the history of the British passport”

UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp, said:

“The introduction of His Majesty’s Arms, iconic landscapes, and enhanced security features marks a new era in the history of the British passport.

“It also demonstrates our commitment to outstanding public service – celebrating British heritage while ensuring our passports remain among the most secure and trusted in the world for years to come.”

This is the first completely new design since 2020, and comes amid strong performance from His Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO).

In the first six months of 2025 alone, more than 3.8 million passports were issued, with 99.7% of applications requiring no extra information processed within three weeks — exceeding the target of 98.5%.

HMPO is encouraging travellers to check their passport’s validity ahead of any planned trips, noting that passports bearing Queen Elizabeth II’s Coat of Arms remain valid until their expiry dates.

A long history of security innovation

British passports have evolved significantly since the first modern-style version was introduced in 1915. The first dedicated security feature, a watermark, arrived in 1972, and dozens more have been added in the decades since — including complex background patterns and features only visible under UV light.

The latest redesign continues that legacy, combining modern technology with a strong visual representation of the UK’s natural beauty.