Latest news with #BritishPassport
Times
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Former gang member and Open debutant Ryan Peake: I deserve to be here
Ryan Peake concedes that it would be 'tricky at best' for him to make his Open debut if his father, a bricklayer who moved to Australia aged four, did not still hold a British passport. When the tournament was held at Royal Portrush in 2019, the world No466 had just been released from prison after serving a five-year sentence for grievous bodily harm, and without the British passport he was able to claim through his father, travel to the UK would have been extremely difficult. In fact, the heavily tattooed former biker gang member had visa problems just getting to the New Zealand Open in March, where his maiden victory sealed the most extraordinary spot in this week's field. 'It's my life, it's my story, and I'm not embarrassed about it. It's something I've done and I've owned it,' Peake, 32, says. 'I'm not trying to be a role model or be someone's superhero, anything like that. I'm just basically living the best life I can, and whatever people see from that, that's what they see.'
The Independent
02-07-2025
- The Independent
Time to chuck out check-in for flights
Weeks ago, I paid Lufthansa £185 for a return flight from London Heathrow to Munich. The fare is non-refundable. But with 30 hours before my flight home, I am obliged to go online to declare that, yes, I fully intend to travel. It is a disagreeable process – the opposite of the James Bond villain's line: 'I've been expecting you.' Airlines across the world chorus: 'Just because you've booked a flight doesn't mean we're expecting you.' Having logged in to the Lufthansa website, as a poor German speaker, I then had to scroll through the homelands on offer before happening on Vereinigtes Königreich ('United Kingdom'). Then came the challenging questions. To the surprise of the German airline, I can reveal that I have not changed my nationality, gender, passport details or reason for travel since I flew out on Saturday. Perhaps Lufthansa could use the details I provided ahead of the flight out to Germany? After painstakingly completing all the details from my British passport, it was surprising to be told that for the purposes of entering the UK, 'a national ID card of your home country is not sufficient'. Then the kicker screen: 'Something went wrong. We are currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again later.' In 2025, what is the purpose of check-in? I can see that in the olden days, it served a purpose. Tickets were ridiculously expensive, but also flexible. Choose to 'no-show'? You'll be able to claim a full refund or travel on any future flight. So it made sense to have a check-in stage at the airport. Most passengers, too, were checking in luggage, so an extra step was acceptable. And the flight coupons had to be physically torn from the ticket and exchanged for an additional document: a boarding pass. Today, the check-in process looks ridiculous. Every airline inserts an intermediate hurdle that goes, approximately: 'We notice you have bought a ticket for a flight. Are you by any chance intending to travel?' This unnecessary interrogation does not take place on trains and buses (though it did on my recent Stena Line ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland). I accept that the booking stage and check-in formalities are subtly different. When you buy a flight online, the airline is not concerned with which document you will be using to travel. On the eve of departure, the carrier certainly wants to know. But I contend most people know that they will be using their current passport on their next flight. A cynical person might conclude that the reason for the check-in stage is because it gives the airline an opportunity to 'upsell'. Before the Lufthansa check-in system imploded, I was invited: 'Treat yourself to an upgrade from €75.' Compared with some other airlines – particularly Ryanair and Wizz Air – that was a fairly easy exercise in swerving the many invitations to spend more money before being issued with a boarding pass. I understand that carriers are legally required to provide a complete manifest of who is on board their aircraft; they must reconcile passengers and their baggage; and assign passengers prudently for the purposes of weight and balance. They must also comply with aviation rules such as: 'The operator shall establish procedures to ensure that passengers are seated where, in the event that an emergency evacuation is required, they are able to assist and not hinder evacuation of the aircraft.' But all of this could happen at the departure gate. Even if it means getting passengers there 10 minutes earlier, I believe we would accept that in exchange for expunging an unnecessary hurdle. Which airline will take the radical and profitable step of saving on costs and passenger hassle by dispensing with check-in? I promise to be first on board.
Times
07-06-2025
- Times
10-year passport rule: is yours valid for EU travel?
One of the fastest ways to kill your pre-holiday good mood is to find out shortly before you fly — or worse, at the airport itself — that your travel documents aren't in order. However, some visitors to EU destinations are still falling foul of post-Brexit checks, because having an unexpired passport doesn't automatically mean that it will be deemed valid abroad. So what do you need to watch out for if you're planning a trip to Europe? You'll need to check that your passport is less than ten years old on arrival, and has an expiry date at least three months after the end of your stay. The only exception is if you're visiting Ireland, part of the Common Travel Area with the UK. These rules also apply to four non-EU countries — Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland — which, together with 25 of the 27 EU countries, form the Schengen Area. As Schengen nations have an open border with each other, they also share the same passport validity requirements. So if you're planning a trip to an EU country or one of the four mentioned above, here's what you need to know. EU countries require travellers from 'third countries' — anywhere outside the EU — to have a passport that's less than ten years old on the day of their entry to a member state and valid for at least three months after the end of their stay. Since the UK left the EU, this rule has applied to British passport holders. Previously the UK Passport Office allowed up to nine months remaining on an old passport to be carried over to a new one. This meant that some passports issued before October 2018 had more than ten years of validity. After Brexit, EU countries no longer recognised this extension, which is why passports now need to be less than ten years old. The only exception to this rule is Ireland. This is because Ireland is part of the Common Travel Area with the UK so the rules are slightly different. If you are travelling to multiple destinations, check that your passport and other documents cover all stops on your itinerary. For example, if you are travelling to a country where your passport needs to be valid for the duration of your stay, but you have a stopover in the EU where the above rules apply (or somewhere such as Dubai or Singapore, which require at least six months' validity remaining after arrival), then you will also need to make sure your passport meets these requirements. Speak to your travel operator if in any doubt. A valid passport is essential for travelling outside the UK. For travel to the EU and European Free Trade Association (Efta) countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), it needs to be less than ten years old when you enter the country and have at least three months left on it after you intend to leave. The only exception is if you are going to Ireland, where you can travel until your passport expires. To visit Ireland, British nationals don't actually need a passport — although airlines typically insist on it — and can use another form of official photo ID. Depending on where you are travelling to, for what purpose and for how long, you may also need to get a visa. After Brexit, British citizens are permitted to stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days out of 180 for leisure visits, after which a visa or other permit may be needed. You will need to check the specific entry requirements for each individual country you're visiting. From late 2026, you will also need to successfully apply for an Etias visa waiver before you travel. • When does the Etias scheme start for UK travellers? If you are planning to drive or hire a car, you will need to take your driving licence, and in some cases an international driving permit (IDP). Those taking their own cars across a border will also need relevant insurance and vehicle registration details, as well as a UK sticker displayed prominently on the vehicle. There may be additional requirements depending on your destination. • Driving in Europe: all the requirements and rules you need to know When travelling to EU countries, you may want to apply for and take your UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This free benefit replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for most UK nationals after Brexit. It entitles you to medically necessary public health care, which will either be free or subsidised. In some cases, having the card with you is a requisite for ensuring your travel insurance is valid. In most cases, you will need your passport to travel to Europe. Ireland is the only exception, although the government still advises taking your passport with you, and airlines will typically insist on it. If you have lost your passport while abroad, you may be able to apply for an emergency travel document. These cost £125 and you may need to attend a British embassy in person after you have applied online. The document contains your exact itinerary, and if you decide to change your plans at the last minute you will need to pay for a new one. If your passport is damaged, you should replace it before you travel, as it may not be considered valid. HM Passport Office consider a passport damaged if any details cannot be read, there are rips, cuts, holes (including the cover) or missing pages, the cover is coming away, or there are stains such as water damage. In theory, you could travel with an expired passport between certain countries in Europe, because land borders within the Schengen Area are open and ID checks are only carried out in exceptional circumstances. For example, the Spanish government has said that its citizens may enter the country on an expired passport or ID card after its authenticity has been checked; however, a valid travel document is still required to leave the country via an external border. In the case of the UK, your passport will be checked at the relevant border controls and you will need to make sure it's valid for travel. Like most countries in the EU, Spain requires those travelling on a British passport to have at least three months remaining after the date you plan to leave. You also need to check that it is less than ten years old on arrival. • Read our full guide to Spain For Greece, the usual EU passport validity rules apply. This means it needs to be less than ten years old when you enter the country and have at least three months left after the date you plan to leave. • Read our full guide to Greece EU passport validity rules also apply in Portugal. So your passport needs to be less than ten years old when you enter the country and have at least three months remaining after the date you intend to leave. • Read our full guide to Portugal For entry into the US, your passport needs to be valid for the duration of your stay. You will also need an Esta or visa for entry. • Read our full guide to the US Turkey requires UK passport holders to have at least 150 days left on their passports after arrival. It also needs to have a full blank page for the entry and exit stamps. • Is it safe to travel to Turkey right now?
South Wales Argus
04-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Harry and Meghan considered changing surname to Spencer
However, this plan was apparently shelved after the UK passports for Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet were issued almost six months after the initial applications. Harry and Meghan considered changing surname to Spencer The passport application was apparantly delayed (Image: Dominic Lipinski/PA) A source claimed that the duke and duchess feared that UK officials were delaying the process because of the applications included HRH titles (His/Her Royal Highness) for both children. According to The Guardian, a source close to the Sussexes said: 'There was clear reluctance to issue passports for the kids." However, after three months without receiving the documents because of "technical issues," it is understood that Harry and Meghan reapplied using the 24-hour passport service, only for their meeting to be cancelled because of a "systems failure". The source claimed: 'The king hadn't wanted Archie and Lili to carry the titles, most of all the HRH, and the British passports, once created, would be the first and perhaps the only legal proof of their names'. They added: "Harry was at a point where British passports for his children with their updated Sussex surnames (since the death of Queen Elizabeth II) were being blocked with a string of excuses over the course of five months. 'Out of sheer exasperation he went to his uncle to effectively say: 'My family are supposed to have the same name and they're stopping that from happening because the kids are legally HRH, so if push comes to shove, if this blows up and they won't let the kids be called Sussex, then can we use Spencer as a surname?'' It is understood that Prince Harry wants his children to have the HRH titles so that they can decide for themselves in the future if they want to be working royals. The standard wait time for a UK passport is within three weeks (Image: Phil Harris/Daily Mirror/PA Wire) Recommended Reading: Prince Harry says he doesn't know 'how much longer my father has' Prince Harry loses appeal on keeping level of police protection when in the UK What is the standard wait time for a UK passport? According to the UK Government website, the standard wait time for a British Passport is within three weeks. However, this could take longer if more information is required or if applicants need to be interviewed. The turnaround time may also differ for those applying from another country. The application time starts when the Passport Office receives an applicant's documents.
Telegraph
19-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
I've sold my dream Canary Islands home. I had a lucky escape
I first went to the Canary Islands in the 1990s. Having visited Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, it was the latter I fell in love with. Bowled over by the endless sunshine, gorgeous beaches and outdoor lifestyle, I figured it was the perfect place to buy a holiday home. So, in 2003, we did. I was still in my mid-20s – naïve as anything, but happy because it meant by the time the 20-year repayment mortgage had been paid off, we would have a place in the sun and somewhere warm to retire to. It was a dream come true. While it lasted. Little did my 20-something-year-old self ever envisage a time when Brexit would come about and change every plan that I'd put in place. I still remember crying when I saw the results of the Brexit referendum. As a teenager of the 90s, I'd grown up with European free movement, taken it for granted – but now I knew things were set to change. The problem was, I didn't know how far or how fast things would change, and I still remained optimistic that some sort of deal would be struck. It was in 2021 when I realised my time on the island was over. With only €4,000 left to pay on the mortgage, my heart was heavy with the realisation that the place I had bought 18 years before would never be the retirement home I'd longed for it to be. As a British passport holder, I could only stay for 90 days within any 180-day period without needing a visa. Of course, I could have looked into residence permits, but the decision felt too big, and not one I was ready to make. As a way to buy time, I looked into putting the property on Airbnb and but the fees involved, cumbersome regulations and the tax that would be due – along with the time I'd have to spend managing a holiday let operation – made me realise I'd be working harder to stand still. Letting go of a dream, especially one you have worked hard for and paid into for almost two decades, is hard. Really hard. The property sold within two days of listing to a cash buyer from Germany. I won't deny when I heard the new owner was going to use it as their retirement home, I felt a twinge of envy. It's been three years since I sold, and when I went back in 2023 (staying in an Airbnb!), I confess I stood outside my old home in the glorious sunshine wondering what on earth I'd done. Fast forward to 2025 and I know selling was the right decision. The anti-tourism movement has been rumbling for some time now, but this year in the Canaries it feels like it's gained more ground and publicity. In March, a sign was spotted in Tenerife reading 'Kill a Tourist', along with rental cars being set on fire and regular protests. Reports suggest holiday bookings are down as tourists heed the warnings to 'go home'. With more anti-tourism protests taking place just last week across the islands, it's hard to feel welcome or wanted when you're so clearly not. But what I don't understand about these protests is what the end game is? Opposition has been raised to a number of infrastructure projects, including a South Train initiative in Tenerife which sought to enhance connectivity, the Chira-Soria hydropower pumping station in Gran Canaria, and the Dreamland film city development in Fuerteventura – which, following strong local opposition, was then cancelled. If the Canary Islands want to find a new economy outside of tourism, they will have to take some difficult decisions – and quickly. I thoroughly enjoyed my 18 years of owning a property in Fuerteventura, but now I'm pleased I'm left with just my memories, and not a potential headache.
