Holidaymakers planning trips abroad this year – even if not until the autumn – being warned to check their passports now to avoid disappointment
Holidaymakers planning trips abroad this year – even if not until the autumn – are being warned to check their passports now to avoid disappointment.
The Passport Office can currently take six weeks or more to deal with applications due to Covid-19 lockdown measures.
And once travel restrictions for going abroad start to be lifted next week, experts fear that the service could become overwhelmed and take even longer. Those willing to pay extra for a fast-track option may also be left stranded as applications for ‘premium’ and ‘fast track’ show online as ‘temporarily unavailable because of coronavirus’.
Don’t delay: With post offices now reopened, the major branches can provide an often invaluable ‘check and send’ service
Applying online is the best value option for those confident about taking photos on a digital camera or smartphone to download on to a computer. This can be done for £75.50 – the cost is £85 if making an application with paper documents.
With post offices now reopened, the major branches can provide an often invaluable ‘check and send’ service. This costs £16 on top of the £75.50 online or £85 paper application. Included in this price, the branch can help you fill in the forms and can take photos using a computer at one of 725 major branches that offers such a service. ‘Check and send’ stops delays due to forms being returned if an application has not been completed properly.
When it is available, the £142 ‘fast track’ service returns passports in a week. You make an appointment to visit a passport centre and someone at home signs for the returned passport. A next-day online ‘premium’ service is £177. You make an appointment to visit a passport centre to pick up the passport. These are in Belfast, Durham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Newport and Peterborough.
Burgundy European Union passports are still valid until they expire – though you need at least six months remaining on them before they run out on top of the return date when visiting countries such as China, Thailand and Turkey. The dark blue United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland passport started to be issued in March.
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