While holidays are the perfect getaway to get some rest and relaxation, travelling can often be the cause of a lot of stress and anxiety, with passports a common factor in the worries.
Passport renewals have been in high demand ever since the pandemic hit. People didn’t travel for a couple of years, and then suddenly everyone was itching to explore the world again.
As a result, a lot of passports have expired, meaning many of us are currently unable to go on holiday.
If your getaway is coming up and you’re unsure about whether you need to renew you passport, or how to go about it, Kelly Johnston at Avanti Travel Insurance has everything you need to know.
What if my passport doesn’t arrive in time?
If you’ve applied using the standard service and you’re worried that your passport won’t arrive in time for your trip, there are a couple of things you can try.
Call the Passport Adviceline
If you’re travelling in two weeks or less, you can call the Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000. Here, you can track the progress of your passport application and request to ‘upgrade’ your application.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you have the option to ‘upgrade’ your passport application for a fee. This upgrade promises expedited processing within one week, although there is no guarantee.
You’ll also need to provide proof that you’re travelling e.g. pre-booked flight tickets.
You can also contact the Passport Adviceline if you need to travel due to an emergency, such as the serious illness of a friend or family member abroad.
When should I renew my passport?
Always check if your passport is valid before you book your next holiday. It’s just as important as booking flights or a hotel, because if it’s not up to scratch then you won’t be able to go!
You will need to renew your passport if:
- It has expired
- It is over 10 years old
- There is not enough time left on it
How long does it take to renew a UK passport?
The wait time for renewing a UK passport is around 3 weeks. If you need your passport sooner, take a look at the passport fast-track service.
If the passport delays of 2022-23 have taught us anything, it’s to renew your passport as soon as you can. Make sure to check the expiry date and the date it was issued, as you can’t use a passport if it’s over 10 years old.
How much is it to renew a passport in the UK?
For an adult, it costs £82.50 to replace or renew your passport online. It costs a little more – £93 – if you want to do it through the post.
For children under 16, renewing a passport costs £53.50 online and £64 through the post.
New passports and renewals are free of charge for anyone born on or before 2 September 1929.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here