New passport rules jolt Britons

Document could lose up to nine months’ validity after ‘stealth’ policy change

Travellers who renew their passports face losing up to nine months’ validity due to a little-publicised change to rules brought in by the Home Office.

Up until last week, when British citizens renewed their passports, time remaining on the existing document was added to the new one — up to a maximum of nine months.

But passport applicants have been told this no longer applies and any remaining months will be lost if an attempt is made to renew the document early.

The change was uncovered by the consumer affairs website Money Saving Expert after members of the public got in touch. The Home Office has been contacted for comment.

It comes in the same week that the government released contingency advice for travelling to the EU in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Passports are valid for 10 years and currently cost £75.50 to renew online or £85 by post, with the fee increasing in March above the rate of inflation.

The change in rules with regard to carrying over validity could lead to applicants renewing their passports as late as possible to eke out the validity.