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Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Foreign Office tells Brits to keep copies of essential travel documents at home
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has shared advice to those travelling abroad, as millions of Brits get ready to jet off on their summer holidays The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is offering advice to Brits travelling overseas to help them keep their travel documents secure. In a bid to ensure that the millions of holidaymakers each year have a hassle-free journey, the FCDO has taken to social media platform X, as Twitter is now known, with some vital guidance. The FCDO advises: "Heading abroad? Keep a copy of your passport, visa, and flight ticket separately from originals when travelling." They also recommend that travellers should "Keep copies at home and on your phone." A key piece of advice previously shared by the Foreign Office is to treasure your passport and protect it from damage, as a damaged passport is not valid for travel. Additional advice includes: Your passport is not always safer on you (e.g. lock your passport in a safe if you have access to one), unless the local law requires you to keep it with you. Make two photocopies of your passport – leave one with friends or family and take the second with you, or store it online using a secure data storage site Use this photocopy as alternative ID, for example when going out at night Make sure your passport is valid. For certain countries your passport must be valid for 6 months after the date you travel – check the entry requirements before you go In instances where passports are lost or stolen, tens of thousands find themselves in need of an emergency travel document. In cases of urgent passport issues within the UK, citizens can opt for the 1 week Fast Track service or the even swifter 1 day Premium service, reports the Liverpool Echo. The Fast Track option assures you receive your new passport within a week from your appointment date, your earliest possibility for an appointment being just the following day post-application. Meanwhile, the Premium service boasts a turnaround of just 4 hours after your appointment, making it possible to collect your passport the same day. Misplacing your flight tickets can lead to a multitude of problems, including the need to buy a replacement ticket, potentially forfeiting the value of the original one, and navigating the often-complex processes of refunds or rebookings. In a separate piece of advice issued over the weekend, the Foreign Office cautioned holidaymakers about "keeping an eye on your drinks". Taking to social media, they urged people to "remember not to leave your drinks unattended", while also reminding travellers that drink measurements can vary significantly abroad. This guidance forms part of the government's Travel Aware initiative, which seeks to empower travellers with the knowledge to have a safe and enjoyable trip abroad, while also understanding the unique risks associated with different countries. As part of its commitment to providing unbiased information, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's travel advice aims to empower travellers to make more informed decisions about their international travel plans. In a specific warning to young travellers venturing abroad, the FCDO advises: "You should also get a travel insurance policy and make sure you know what cover it provides." The consequences of failing to secure adequate insurance before jetting off can be severe, leaving you liable for exorbitant emergency expenses, including medical treatment, which can rack up bills amounting to thousands of pounds.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Foreign Office 'remember not to' alert to all UK holidaymakers
The FCDO wants Brits heading on holiday to 'be aware' The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a warning to any Brits who may be counting down to a "big holiday". The government body, which protects UK citizens while abroad among many other tasks, regularly issues updates online. And in a new post on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday, the FCDO issued a warning to anyone planning to consume alcohol while abroad. The full post reads: "Heading for a big holiday abroad soon? Before you hit the bar: Remember not to leave your drinks unattended [and that] drinks abroad can have different alcohol measures." Text over an accompanying graphic adds: "Stick with your mates. Keep an eye on your drinks." Travellers are also pointed towards the FCDO's Travel Aware campaign, which is aimed at making sure holidaymakers "have the best possible travel abroad, help you stay safe and understand risks in different countries". Further advice found here adds: "Drinking abroad can be different to back in the UK. The quality of alcohol can vary, measures can be more generous, and tempting deals may lead to quicker intoxication than anticipated. Be aware that drink spiking can occur while on holiday. "Spiking is adding alcohol or drugs to someone's drink without them knowing. Spiking is commonly used to distract you from theft or impair you before an assault. Do not leave your drink unattended and do not accept drinks from strangers. This is the best strategy to prevent the possibility of your drink being spiked. "Consume water in-between alcoholic drinks. This will help pace you throughout the night and help keep you hydrated. Drink at your own pace. Everyone's tolerance to alcohol is different. Consider avoiding rounds or having a break from drinking alcohol if you are feeling uneasy."
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Foreign Office urges UK holidaymakers to keep key piece of information on them
The UK Government is advising holidaymakers to follow three key steps to stay safe while travelling. On the Travel Aware website, officials advise those travelling abroad to make their trip "one to remember for the right reasons," noting that "sadly, for a small number of Brits, their holiday ends in a hospital ward or a police station", reports Under the message 'Stick With Your Mates,' travellers are told to check the latest FCDO Travel Advice before booking or heading to the airport, to stay informed about entry requirements and local laws. READ MORE: Drivers may be slapped with £400 bill for using car during hot weather in UK Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp , click the link to join It also emphasises the importance of having comprehensive travel insurance. Most importantly, it highlights three essential actions everyone should take to stay safe while enjoying their vacation. 1. Share your location The FCDO says: "Use messaging apps to set up a group chat. "This way you can send your location to your friends if you get lost or check they are safe if you lose them," it continued. 2. Agree a meeting point When you arrive, you should agree a location to meet at. It explained: "It is easy to get lost in a foreign country. Add alcohol and sun and it's now even easier to get lost. If you are on the strip, before your first big night, familiarise yourself with the area. Exploring your surroundings will help you remember where you are later. Agree a meeting place in case you lose your friends and cannot get in contact (e.g. phone out of battery or lost etc.)" 3. Keep your address on you If you're not familiar with your surroundings, it's a good idea to keep the address of your accommodation. Being in a new place, dealing with a different climate, and consuming alcohol can all make it more difficult to remember how to get back. The FCDO said: "Consider taking a screenshot of the hotel's address before going out or ask reception if they have an address card you can take and store in your wallet." If travelling with pals, or even family, the UK Government warns: "Friends don't leave friends behind. "Serious incidents often happen after drinking alcohol when you are alone and isolated. "Stick with your mates throughout the night. Stay in contact and if you're staying at the same accommodation, go home together." Travellers are also advised to keep a close eye on their drinks. Officials caution that alcohol abroad can differ significantly from what people are used to in the UK as drinks may be stronger, served in larger measures, or come as part of cheap promotions, all of which can lead to quicker intoxication than expected. They also warn about the risk of drink spiking, where alcohol or drugs are secretly added to someone's drink, often with the intent of committing theft or assault. To reduce this risk, never leave your drink unattended and avoid accepting drinks from strangers. It's also important to stay hydrated by drinking water between alcoholic beverages.
