Latest news with #PassportOffice
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
I applied for the new blue UK passport and here's how long it took
I applied for a new passport and one thing surprised me If you're heading abroad soon, you will want to ensure that your passport is valid for travel. This means, depending on where you're travelling to, you may need to upgrade it sooner than you think. For example, if you're heading to Spain, the Foreign Office cautions people that the country follows Schengen area rules. This means your passport must: have a 'date of issue' less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago have an 'expiry date' at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area (the expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue) In other places, like Cyprus, you need to have "at least one blank page for stamping". So if you need to get a new passport, here's what you need to know if you're set to travel abroad. How to apply for a new UK passport? You can apply through the website. It can be used for multiple reasons whether you need to apply for, renew, replace or update your passport - as well as paying for it online. How much does a UK passport cost? If you're looking to save money, it's worth knowing that it's £12.50 cheaper to apply for a passport online than by post. Can I get my passport quicker? Yes, you can. You can pay for a premium service if you're heading abroad soon and are worried it won't arrive in time. find out more find out more How long did it take me to get my new blue UK passport? I applied for a new passport on July 13 and sent my old passport, as instructed, away on July 14. The Passport Office received my old one on July 15 - you need to do this as you cannot have two passports. I got my next update on July 23 telling me that my passport application was approved, followed by an email on the 24th informing me my new passport has been printed. The next day, I received my blue passport with a new photo I had taken myself in my home. So it took me less than two weeks to get my new travel document - and I didn't pay for fast track. So I was pleasantly surprised at how quick and easy the whole process was. You can check how long it will take to get a passport before you apply. And if you need a passport urgently, you can opt for their Online Premium or 1 week Fast Track services. They warn: "Do not book travel until you have a valid passport - your new passport will not have the same number as your old one." How to get a free passport If you were born on or before September 2 1929, you can get or renew a British passport for free if you're a British national. You can also use the Post Office Check and Send service for free and get free secure delivery. You must pay a fee if you need to get a passport urgently or if you want a frequent traveller passport which gives you 54 pages instead of 34.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Time of India
Regular passports valid, touts spreading fake info: RPO chief
Pune: Passport agents and touts are exploiting the launch of e-passports to spread false information that regular passports are no longer valid, said Arjun Deore, regional passport officer at Pune RPO, on vested interests trying to drum up unnecessary business, there have been instances where citizens were misled into believing they need to replace their existing valid passports immediately with e-passports."There is misinformation circulating among people. Citizens with passports valid for several years are being told that their documents are no longer valid because 'passport' offices are now issuing e-passports. There are vested interests — certain agents who want to generate new applicants — who are spreading this kind of misinformation," said warning comes as Pune RPO (regional passport office) has now transitioned to issuing only e-passports since the first week of May 2025, making it one of the major passport offices in India to implement the new technology under the Passport Seva Programme 2.0. "All passports that we have been issuing since the first week of May are e-passports," Deore Pune RPO chief emphasised that citizens should not fall for these misleading claims. "Unless your passport is damaged or invalid, it remains perfectly acceptable for use. Only those who genuinely need new passports — those with expired passports, exhausted pages or damaged documents — should apply. Citizens should not apply merely for the novelty of having an e-passport," he per the ministry of external affairs, all regular passports issued under the previous Passport Seva Programme 1.0 remain completely valid and can continue to be used for travel purposes, subject to normal validity periods and other provisions under the Passports Act, e-passport rollout at Pune RPO is part of a nationwide expansion of the technology, which was initially piloted in smaller offices in Nagpur and Bhubaneswar last year before being extended to major regional the digital nomenclature, e-passports are still physical booklets identical to regular passports, with one crucial addition — an embedded RFID (radio frequency identification) chip that stores passport data securely."The term e-passport does not mean it can be downloaded to a mobile phone or any digital device. It remains a physical booklet. The only difference is that it contains an embedded chip," explained Deore. The booklet features a distinctive chip logo on the front cover though the actual chip is located on a different page chip technology, similar to that used in debit cards, enables automated identity verification at immigration counters and significantly enhances security by making tampering extremely RPO wins national awardRegional Passport Office, Pune, received the first prize for "innovative steps and citizen-centric initiatives" during the recent Passport Seva Divas celebration. Minister of state for external affairs Pabitra Margherita presented the award to Arjun Deore, regional passport its notable achievements, Pune RPO became the first passport office to install an 80kW rooftop solar plant in Jan 2025 under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, generating 25% of its monthly electricity needs and saving Rs1 lakh per month.
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Ryanair passengers 'must confirm' as checking in now takes longer
Those travelling on a UK passport will need to undertake an extra step when checking in Ryanair passengers travelling on a UK passport are required to undertake an extra step when checking in online - meaning the process may take longer. Ryanair passengers are required to check in online and print or download boarding passes, with the exception of those travelling on Flexi Plus ticket, who can check in at the airport for free. Travellers can check in online from 60 days before their flight, if they have paid for an allocated seat. Other passengers, who will be given a seat by Ryanair at random, can check in between 24 and two hours before the scheduled time of departure. Because of new rules that came in post-Brexit, for trips to the EU Schengen Area, British passports must be valid for at least three months following the day of departure, and have been issued less than 10 years before the date you plan to enter. Ryanair's online check-in reflects this, with an additional step for UK passport-holders. After filling in important details such as date of birth and passport number, travellers will be required to read the following passage: "I understand that if I am using a British passport to travel to the EU, my passport must be valid for at least three months from the date I intend to leave the EU (excluding Ireland), and my passport should be issued within the previous 10 years upon the date I arrive into the EU (excluding Ireland)", before ticking a box to confirm. If you arrive at the airport with a passport that doesn't meet the correct requirements, you won't be able to fly. And it's unlikely your travel insurance will pay out, either. Those planning a trip abroad should check their passport details well in advance to avoid any last-minute rushes, as it can take a few weeks to renew a passport. His Majesty's (HM) Passport Office suggests that the process of a new or replacement passport currently takes about three weeks. It could take longer, though, "if we need more information, or we need to interview you". In such instances, the Passport Office said it will contact applicants directly. As of April 10, 2025, fees for a new or replacement adult passport (for someone aged 16 or over) are set at £94.50 for online applications, and £107 for paper submissions. For children, the fees are £61.50 and £74 respectively. If you require a passport urgently, you can use the Premium Service (one day), but this will cost you £222 for an adult passport, or £189 for a child's.
Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Daily Record
Hundreds of holidays ruined due to common passport mistake
Some two hundred people have been forced to miss their holidays Two hundred people have had to miss out on holidays due to overlooking passport rules. And new Freedom of Information (FOI) data obtained by Co-op Insurance from the Passport Office reveals that more than a million UK passports are set to expire between now and the end of 2025. With many of us preparing for summer getaways, or planning overseas trips later in the year, the findings indicate that many are cutting it close. If your passport is invalid, you simply won't be able to travel. Several countries, including the US, require a passport to be valid for at least six months beyond the intended departure date for eligibility to travel there. For journeys to the EU Schengen Area, passports must be valid for at least three months following the day of departure, and have been issued less than 10 years before the date you plan to enter. Co-op Insurance said that 10% (some 200) of 2000 UK adults surveyed said they've been forced to miss a holiday due to failing to renew their passport. FOI data further disclosed that nearly a quarter of a million passports were reported as either lost or stolen last year. The Passport Office shared that Hong Kong and Spain were the top locations where passports were most frequently reported missing. Losing a passport can cause significant stress, especially considering the £94.50 replacement cost, or £222 if you need it within a day. As well as this, the insurance firm said almost one in six Brits (15%) admitted to consistently holidaying without travel insurance. Considering the average medical expenses claim has been just over £2,500 so far in 2025, those lacking coverage are putting themselves at significant financial risk, the company warns. It strongly advises to make sure their passport is up-to-date and they they have suitable travel insurance before heading to the airport.
Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
UK passport warning as hundreds of people lose out on holidays
Holidaymakers risk being turned away from flights Hundreds of people have said they've been forced to miss holidays over neglecting to check their passports. It comes as new Freedom of Information (FOI) data obtained by Co-op Insurance from the Passport Office found more than a million UK passports will expire between now and the end of 2025. With many Brits currently gearing up for summer breaks, or planning to head abroad later in the year, findings suggest many are cutting it fine. And if your passport is invalid, you simply won't be able to travel. A number of countries, including the US, mandate a passport to be valid for at least six months beyond the intended departure date for eligibility to travel there. For trips to the EU Schengen Area, passports must be valid for at least three months following the day of departure, and have been issued less than 10 years before the date you plan to enter. Co-op Insurance said some 10% (200) of the 2000 UK adults asked said they have missed a holiday due to failing to renew their passport. FOI data further revealed that nearly a quarter of a million passports were reported as either lost or stolen last year. The Passport Office disclosed that Hong Kong and Spain were the top locations where passports were most frequently reported missing. Losing a passport can be extremely stressful, particularly considering the £94.50 replacement cost, or £222 if you want it within a day. On top of potential passport issues, Co-Op Insurance said nearly one in six Brits (15%) confessed to always holidaying without travel insurance. Given that the average medical expenses claim has been just over £2,500 so far in 2025, those without coverage are exposing themselves to substantial financial risk, the firm added, urging that people make sure their travel documents are up-to-date and that they have appropriate cover before heading to the airport.
