Lines of people desperate to beat a Government deadline for submitting British passport applications on Island, spilled out onto the Immigration Department's corridors this week.

Residents have until 4 p.m. today, to file applications directly with the Department of Immigration. As of Monday, applications must be couriered at personal expense to Washington DC.

The cost of the British passport will remain the same $212 for adults and $135 for children under the age of 16. However the cost of sending the application and paying for the passport's return via UPS, drives the price up by $21.

The new rules will not affect applications for Bermuda passports.

Curtis Hodgson, 38, a kitchen porter at Lobster Pot, picked up necessary forms earlier in the week. His plan was to return them to the Department of Immigration today: "I'm going to get it in as soon as possible. It's easier."

The changes, which are part of a worldwide initiative to streamline the Foreign and Commonwealth passport operations, are expected to make the process more cost-effective, secure and sustainable.

Marita Grimes, a personal service manager for the Immigration Department said yesterday: "The only change that is taking place is that the Department of Immigration will no longer facilitate the processing of the British citizen passport.

"We want to advise members of the public that if they don't meet the deadline, they will still have an opportunity to apply directly for their passport by sending the information to Washington DC."

Mrs. Grimes continued: "Over the course of today and tomorrow, I would like to encourage the public's patience. We have a great team at the Department of Immigration and our personnel are working tirelessly to ensure that all our customers' needs are met."

Applications that have the correct supporting documentation and payment fee will be assessed within ten working days of receipt. However persons will need to allow extra time for their applications to transit between Bermuda and Washington.

From Monday, applications for British passports must be mailed to: The UK Passport Service Centre for the Americas and the Caribbean British Embassy, 19 Observatory Circle, NW Washington, DC 20008, USA.

For more information, guidance and copies of application forms visit www.ukinusa.fco.gov.uk.