The re-application process has since changed. A much simplified "renewal" process is now used for persons who had/have a valid, 5-yr passport issued within the past six years, haven't reported a passport lost or stolen, etc.

Concerning the proposed change in validity from five years to ten years, while I can see the appeal to VBITs, this is not a good idea from a security perspective. A very strong indication is that since 9-11, more western countries have changed from 10 yrs to 5 yrs than the other way around. When a passport is valid for 10 yrs, it gives the counterfeiters, fraudsters and human traffickers all the more time to figure out the weaknesses in the document. Converting to a ePassport will improve security, however these improvements are weakened by longer validity period.

On a personal level, it doesn't matter as my 5-yr booklet fills up after approx 4-yrs of heavy use. My renewal cycle will not change, but my cost per passport will increase.
--
13F