Roughly half of Bermudians who are renewing their passports are opting to get a British Citizens (BC) passport.

Since May 21 last year, Bermudians who hold a British Overseas Territories (BOTC) passport have been given the option of getting a British Citizens passport, giving them the right to live and work in Britain and the European Union (EU).

Chief Immigration Officer Dr. Martin Brewer said yesterday that around 6,000 passports are renewed annually, and in the past year, 2880 have applied for the BC passport.

Bermudians who opt to retain the BOTC passport now face the prospect of longer lines while they clear Immigration in London.

The British government gave a one year grace period which ran out on May 21, which allowed BOTC passport holders to enter the UK through the British citizen and EU gate.

Now, BOTC passport holders will have to go through the gate for everyone else, meaning longer waits.

Dr. Brewer said yesterday: "People have been getting BC passports when their passport runs out, so its just a steady stream really."