Latest news with #HMPassportOffice
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
One thing Brits should never buy at the airport or risk 'spending £30 more'
Leaving things until the last minute can often end up costing you more, especially when it comes to going on holiday, and there's one purchase costing Brits more than they might expect. It's best not to leave things too late when booking a holiday. Not only can it be stressful, but you'll often find yourself having to pay more for flights and hotels than you might have if you'd booked weeks in advance. While heading to less well-known destinations, or booking your flights on the cheapest day of the week can help you save a few pennies here and there, there's one costly mistake many Brits are still making while travelling. Realising you've forgotten to pack a toothbrush or a pair of flip flops at the airport can be annoying, and making a list of what to pack can easily prevent this, but forgetting sun cream is likely setting you back more than you might think. A recent study from Travel Republic revealed that Brits splurge an eye-watering £683million annually buying the easily avoidable last-minute purchase at the airport. The online travel agents found that that over one in three Brits confess to forgetting to buy sun cream before going on holiday, but this minor oversight can be pricier than anticipated. A standard bottle of SPF 30 at the airport can set you back as much as £30 more than if you'd picked it up on the high street, and Travel Republic has warned travellers that they could end up shelling out up to £35 for a last-minute bottle of sun cream, reports the Express. Even if you're only taking hand luggage with you, decanting your sun cream prior to travel could save you a pretty penny and prevent you from having to fork out on a bottle you might not even get through. Sun cream isn't the only expense hitting travellers wallets. Travel Republic also found that over half a million UK adults opted for express passports for their summer holiday, adding a whopping £111 million to the national last-minute holiday bill. Even if you've bagged yourself a bargain flight, the dream of a budget-friendly break can quickly turn sour if you overlook an impending passport expiry, an oversight that's all too common. While forgetting sun cream is an easy mistake to make, shelling out for an emergency passport is easily avoided with a bit of forward planning, and it's as simple as checking your passport before booking a spontaneous getaway. Data from the HM Passport Office reveals that in 2023, over 500,000 people chose fast-track services for a new passport, which on average costs a hefty £194.25 for one-week or same-day services. To dodge such steep costs, Travel Republic advises checking passports annually and at least a month before you jet off to ensure you have ample time to renew it if necessary. The digital travel experts also recommend creating a checklist a week prior to your flight, particularly if you're planning on checking in luggage. This ensures that you don't overlook essentials like sun cream and adapters, which can be quite costly if purchased last minute.
Daily Record
10-07-2025
- Daily Record
First step to take if your passport is lost or stolen while on holiday
You might also need to apply for an emergency travel document to get home Going on holiday is typically an exciting time of year, but it can prove stressful if things go wrong. And among the most stressful things that can happen while preparing for or on a trip is having passport issues. This crucial government-issued travel document serves as proof of your travel eligibility. Without a valid passport, your access to foreign countries – and even your own homeland – is denied. Misplacing or having your passport stolen poses a significant challenge, with the stakes substantially higher if it occurs during an international trip. In response to this, the Government urges anyone who loses their passport or falls prey to passport theft to undertake a vital step immediately. Cancel your missing UK passport Solving this predicament isn't as straightforward as merely acquiring a replacement. To begin, you will need to have your missing passport cancelled. This measure is taken to prevent the document from being exploited by unauthorised individuals. According to the Government's official website: "You must cancel a lost or stolen passport as soon as possible. "This will reduce the risk of anyone else using your passport or your identity. You can report a lost or stolen passport for someone else if they can't do it themselves." Cancelling the original passport is a prerequisite for submitting a new application. To invalidate a lost or stolen passport, go to the Government website here. lf you're in the UK when your passport goes missing, you can simply apply for a new one using the standard procedure, which typically takes about three weeks for the new document to be delivered. For those needing their passport more urgently while in the UK, there's a fast-track option available, which can cost up to £222. Emergency travel document if overseas without UK passport For Brits stranded overseas without a passport, an emergency travel document is the solution. The Government explains: "An emergency travel document lets you travel from abroad if you need to travel urgently and cannot use your UK passport," adding that "It is usually only valid for one single or return journey. You can travel through a maximum of five countries." To qualify for an emergency travel document, you must: Be a British national Be outside the UK Need to travel within six weeks Have a UK passport that is lost, stolen, damaged, full, recently expired, or currently with HM Passport Office or a foreign embassy Be unable to renew or replace your UK passport from abroad before your travels Have previously held a valid UK passport issued on or after 1 January 2006 Additionally, it's necessary to replace your passport if it's considered damaged. HM Passport Office deems a passport damaged if: Your details are unreadable Any pages are torn, cut, or missing There are holes, cuts, or tears in the cover The cover is detached The pages have stains (such as ink or water damage) The standard online service fee to replace a passport is £94.50.
Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
ITV This Morning expert issues summer passport warning
Failing to carry out one check before flying could scupper your holiday plans. An expert has warned Brits planning a holiday abroad to do one thing or risk having their summer plans ruined. Consumer journalist Alice Beer urged travellers to check their passport in advance. This includes checking it for any potential damage as well as its expiry date. This needs to be done as soon as possible to allow time for a replacement travel document to arrive. Speaking on ITV's This Morning, Alice explained: 'If you're planning on making the most of the school holidays and getting out of here, the minute your kids break up, you have got to do one thing and check your passport. Not just your passport, all the family's passports and you're checking for some really key things.' If your passport is damaged you could get turned away at the airport. HM Passport Office will consider your passport damaged if: You cannot read any of your details Any of the pages are ripped, cut or missing There are holes, cuts or rips in the cover The cover is coming away There are stains on the pages (for example, ink or water damage) Alice continued: 'One, check they're not damaged. I saw someone on Instagram whose airline had stuck the luggage tag on the photo page of their passport, when they came to peel it off it damaged it. 'And she didn't know, is this good to fly, is this not? So she spent a week, she got the fast turnaround passport. Cost her a couple of hundred quid, just in case.' On top of potential passport damage you need to be looking at its expiration date. Alice said: 'So, you're looking for how many months have I got to run, how many months do I need on my passport to go where I'm going, you'll find that on the Government website.' Some countries require that your passport has at least another three or six months left on it by the end of your holiday. Before flying you should therefore check the individual requirements of each country. However, some countries, including in the EU, don't accept a passport that is more than 10 years old. 'Is my passport, more than 10 years old?' Alice said. 'This keeps coming up, time and time again. If you renewed your passport, and you've got a carry over of extra months, you might find your passport is currently more than 10 years old. 'That will not get you entry into some countries and you'll simply turned down at the gate. So check your passports, check everyone's passports for damage and for validity.' A standard passport renewal takes around three weeks. You can apply either online or via the post. Online passport application To apply online, visit Key requirements include a digital photograph, a valid payment method (credit or debit card), and the old passport for renewal applications. Additionally, applicants must provide proof of identity and citizenship. The application fee for adults stands at £94.50, while children's passports cost £61.50. For those requiring assistance with the online application, local Post Office branches are available to offer support. Their staff are equipped to: Capture your digital photo Assist with completing the application online However, be aware that this service incurs an additional charge. For postal applications You can get a paper passport application from a nearby Post Office to apply by post. Keep in mind, applying via post generally takes more time than submitting an application online. You are required to dispatch a fully completed application form along with your supporting documents, two photographs, and the necessary fee. Post Office team members can assist in ensuring your form is accurately filled out - though you must supply your own photos. Note that this service will cost you extra. Payments can be made with cash, or through debit or credit card transactions. Fast-track applications If three weeks is cutting it too close with your holiday, there are two ways to apply for an urgent passport. says: 'You can pay to get a passport urgently if you think the standard service will take too long.' For both of these options you will need to go to a passport office for an appointment: One day premium - This service costs £222 (or £235 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport) One week fast track - £178 for an adult passport (or £191 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport), or £145 for a child passport (or £158 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport)
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Yahoo
3 must-do passport checks for your holiday as Brits waste £110m on fast-track fees
Experts are warning travellers of three must-do checks before their holiday this summer to avoid costly fast-track passport application fees. Google searches for "express passport" have surged by a staggering 323%, revealing just how many people are scrambling to get holiday-ready at the last opportunity. According to a recent Post Office survey 25% of Brits admit they never check the validity of their passport when booking a trip. This oversight can lead to denied boarding, trip cancellations, or being turned away at border control, often at a significant personal cost. To avoid stress or disappointment, last-minute holiday provider Travel Republic has revealed three key checks every traveller should make before heading on a last-minute holiday this summer. More importantly, check it's less than 10 years before your departure date. Those travelling to any country in the EU, or Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland should ensure their passports were issued less than 10 years before their departure dates. For example, if you are flying on July 10 2025, your passport must have been issued after July 10 2015. This rule applies regardless of the passport's expiry date. 🌍 Did you know that some countries require your passport to be valid for several months after your scheduled return date? Check your passport expiry date today! Visit for more information #GetTravelReady — His Majesty's Passport Office (@HM_Passport) June 12, 2025 Your passport must also be valid for at least three months after your intended return date when travelling to Europe or the Schengen area. For example, if you return home on 1 August 2025, your passport must be valid until at least 1 November 2025. A passport must be in good physical condition to be accepted. Even minor damage, particularly if it means personal details page unreadable, can cause issues at check-in or border control. Gemma Brown, Head of Ground Product & Partnerships at Travel Republic, says: 'The likelihood is that travel insurance providers would not cover any costs associated with invalid or expired passports, as it's down to the traveller to triple-check their documentation is correct. Your passport is your most important travel document - it's worth taking your time to get right! Before submitting your application check: - your photo meets all requirements - all personal details are correct - supporting documents are ready - payment details are accurate — His Majesty's Passport Office (@HM_Passport) June 16, 2025 'Our advice would be to ensure that your passport is within the 10-year issue date and is valid for at least six months from the date of departure to ensure you will be accepted into most countries. "Regardless of passport rules, it's important for all travellers to research the country they plan to visit and ensure they know what travel documentation is required upon entering and leaving. You can find foreign travel advice on the government website to make sure you have everything covered.' Recommended reading: Easy phone mistakes on holiday could cost you hundreds Martin Lewis says 'don't pay to pay' on holiday Travel insurance warning about certain types of policy With thousands of UK travellers experiencing airport heartbreak over the last year due to non-compliant passports, checking your documents ahead of summer travel plans is essential. If your passport doesn't meet the updated rules and outlined conditions, renewing early could be the key to a seamless getaway instead of missing out on your long-awaited trip. Getting a deal on a last-minute holiday is all well and good, but so is making sure your passport is up-to-date. The average cost of a 1-week fast track and 1-day premium passport application is £194.25, and according to data from HM Passport Office, over half a million applications were made in 2023, which would total an £111 million spend.
Daily Record
27-06-2025
- Daily Record
Exactly how long people are waiting for UK passports now
HM Passport Office says people will 'usually' get theirs within three weeks Many holidaymakers will be applying for new passports at the moment, ahead of what experts are predicting to be a very busy summer for international travel. Those looking to jet off abroad will need to remember the crucial travel document, and make sure it meets certain post-Brexit requirements. Now, UK passport holders going to the EU must check that their passport's "date of issue" is no more than 10 years before the date they enter. Additionally, their "expiry date" needs to be at least three months beyond the day they are due to leave the Schengen zone, which is made up of 29 countries, including Spain, Greece, France, and Italy. His Majesty's (HM) Passport Office advises that under normal circumstances, "you'll usually get your passport within three weeks" when applying for a new or replacement one. To offer travellers a clear expectation of arrival times, the independent platform "UK Passport Waiting Time" has been set up. This independent group, not affiliated with HM Passport Office, collects data from the public on the timeframe between applying for and actually receiving their new passports. Recent statistics suggest the current wait is around 19 days for a first adult passport and approximately 13 days for renewals or replacements. The average processing time for a first child passport is 16 days, and for a replacement, it's 15 days, as per the website. One traveller said they applied for their first adult passport via the Corby passport office. They wrote on UK Passport Waiting Time that they submitted their application on Wednesday, May 21, and were subsequently asked to have someone confirm their identity. After submitting the required identity confirmation later that day, their application was approved on Friday, June 6, with the new passport printed by Monday, June 9, resulting in a total wait of 19 days. However, HM Passport Office notes that times can vary, advising: "It may take longer than three weeks if we need more information, or we need to interview you. We'll tell you this within three weeks. There are different turnaround times if you're applying from another country." For those requiring urgent passports, a one-day Premium Service is available, albeit at a higher cost, with an adult passport priced at £222 and a child's at £189.
