The new UK passport to be issued after Brexit will be made in France, according to the current British manufacturer.
The burgundy passport, in use since 1988, will revert to its original blue and gold colour from October 2019.
The boss of UK supplier De La Rue told the BBC that Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto had won the £490m contract.
The Home Office said a winning bid had been chosen but it was up to the supplier to announce the news.
It said the deal could save the taxpayer £100m-£120m and that 70 new jobs would be created in the UK, at sites in Fareham and Hayward.
Gemalto, which is headquartered Paris and has a factory in Fareham, has not responded to BBC requests for comment.
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I am with Gemalto; no comment!
