‘Apply now’ if you need a new passport
TRAVELLERS PLANNING overseas trips are being urged not to delay in applying for a passport.
HM Passport Office said it would send text messages to people whose passports are nearly expired, telling them to “allow more time when they renew”.
Just four million people applied for a passport in 2020 as millions of trips were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This is compared with around seven million during a normal year, suggesting there could be a rush of applications once the ban on holidays is lifted.
People should allow up to 10 weeks for applications to be processed, according to HM Passport Office, which also said it would be sending text messages to people whose passports are nearing expiration to let them know to allow more time when they renew.
The organisation’s directorgeneral, Abi Tierney, said: “It is vital those who may need to apply for a new passport do so now. If you have delayed renewing your passport or are applying for the first time, please apply now so you can receive it in good time.
“Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to ensure that passport applications are processed as quickly as possible.
“This new advice will help to ensure that we continue to meet the travel plans of our customers during any period of the very highest passport demand.”
Overseas leisure travel from the UK is banned due to coronavirus restrictions.
It could be permitted from May 17 under Boris Johnson’s road map for easing the rules in England.
The Prime Minister said on Easter Monday, during his update on the road map, that the “Stay in the UK” guidance will eventually be replaced by a risk-based “traffic light” system with red, amber and green ratings.
Mr Johnson said this would help ensure the UK’s vaccine progress wasn’t jeopardised and provide clear guidance for travellers.
Although it is too early to predict which countries will be on which list, decisions will be driven by evidence, and the Government has advised UK citizens not to book trips abroad yet.