From 1 January 2022, new applicants for citizenship will not be required to submit their original passport with the initial application. Instead, they can provide a full colour copy of their entire passport, including the front and back covers. The colour copy must be witnessed by a solicitor and submitted with the application form.

Anyone who intends travelling between now and the Christmas holidays and will require the use of their passport to do so, should wait until the New Year to make their citizenship application when the new arrangements will apply.