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Mail Boxes Etc. UK & Ireland's blog

Biometric passport photo service at MBE


Planning your next holiday? Don’t forget your passport!

If you’re applying to renew or replace your passport, you will need to provide a special digital photograph that complies with UK Passport Service regulations, so that the images are suitable for the new biometric passports.

Biometric passport photo service is now available in MBE’s London stores

All passports issued in the UK are now biometric and feature an electronic chip that holds the owner’s details and facial biometrics – such as the distance between their eyes, nose, mouth and ears.  These are taken from a digital photograph that the passport owner must supply when they apply for their passport.

Several of Mail Boxes Etc.’s London stores now provide digital photography that is suitable for the new biometrically enabled passports. 

Fast and convenient, this walk-in service is great value at under £10 including VAT for four images that are produced while you wait.

This service is also very convenient for travel visas.  Many countries require that UK citizens apply for a visa before they can visit – the application must include a digital image taken within six months of the date of travel, and there are specific requirements as to dimension and resolution. MBE’s digital photography service can provide images to the exact requirements of any visa application – all the applicant has to do is state their destination and the machine will do the rest.

Digital images are also ideal for work permits, bus passes, rail cards, driving licences and student cards.

Biometric digital passport photographs are available from MBE Tooting, Paddington, Crawford Street, Notting Hill, Chiswick, Kensington High Street and Bromley branches.  Click here for address details and opening hours.

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Mail Boxes Etc./MBE Centres are operated by independent operators as franchisees, who operate under a franchise agreement under the brand name of MBE. Through its franchise network Mail Boxes Etc. provides support services for businesses and individuals. Logistics and shipping services represent the main services of MBE – enabled by MBE through contractual agreements concluded for the benefit of its franchisees with the main domestic and international express couriers - and other graphics and printing services - provided either directly or on the basis of agreements with large printing centres. The promotion of services for business and private customers is carried out in the framework of the business activity of each MBE franchise partner within and outside of the MBE Centres ("sales prospecting"). Each franchise partner is contractually obligated to perform such activities. Mail Boxes Etc. and MBE are registered trademarks used with permission of Fortidia - a registered trademark of MBE Worldwide S.p.A - (All Rights Reserved). The services offered by the individual MBE Centres can vary depending upon the location. The material available on this Internet site, the information contained herein and any other relevant related data may not in any manner be copied, distributed, changed, republished, reproduced, downloaded or forwarded to third parties, without the expressed prior written authorisation of Mail Boxes Etc. (UK) Limited. We accept no responsibility with regard to the unauthorised use of the material available on this Internet site, the information and/or the data contained herein.
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