UK Passport Manufacturing Tender

The Home Office is preparing to launch the formal competition for the next UK passport manufacturing and personalisation contract, following three rounds of market engagement. The current procurement timetable gives 16 November 2026 as the estimated publication date for the tender notice.

The planned contract covers a secure, end-to-end service for UK ePassports and related travel documents, including secure design artwork, document manufacture and personalisation using biometric and visual data. Potential requirements also include Emergency Travel Documents, integration with HM Passport Office systems and provisions for cryptographic technologies and contingency solutions. The scope also leaves open the possibility of future Digital Travel Credentials (DTCs).

HM Passport Office currently issues around 8 million passports annually. The third market-engagement notice values the procurement at £480 million excluding VAT (£576 million including VAT), with an estimated contract period from 1 August 2028 to 31 July 2040. The existing central-print service is operated by Thales, whose current passport production contract is due to expire on 30 September 2029.