3 April 2002 PARIS — US expats were warned on Wednesday that from 8 April it will take longer to have a replacement passport issued. A new passport design featuring a digitised image and enhanced security features will be introduced — but embassies and consulates will not have the technology to produce the high-tech documents. Instead all applications will be handled by the National Passport Processing Centre in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. US Department of State deputy spokesman Philip Reeker said: "The security of travel documents in the post-September 11 world has become even more important. The new passport has many features that make it one of the most secure travel documents produced anywhere in the world. "Getting these more secure passports into circulation will help minimise the misuse of American passports by criminals, terrorists, and others." American citizens living abroad were encouraged to apply early for renewal of expiring passports. Embassies and consulates will continue to issue passports for urgent travel. However, these documents will be limited in validity and cannot be extended. Bearers will be required to exchange, at no additional cost, their limited validity passports for a full-validity passports upon completion of their urgent travel. [Copyright Expatica News]