Wait of 10 weeks for a passport
HOLIDAYMAKERS are being urged to get passport requests in early as processing could take 10 weeks.
That means anyone applying for a passport or renewal now will be unable to jet off for a Whitsun break next month.
The hold-ups are being blamed on a backlog of Covid applications as people are allowed to travel again and a shortage of passport workers because of the war in Ukraine.
An insider said: “Many of our staff have been seconded to deal with visas for Ukrainians.
“Processing those is now our top priority so we can get as many as we can to safety.”
The Passport Office deals with seven million applications during a normal year but that dropped to four million at the height of the pandemic, when travel was banned.
Unacceptable
Now officials are bracing themselves for a sudden influx of five million applications as people plan summer holidays.
Shadow Home Office minister Stephen Kinnock said: “Time and again, Priti Patel’s Home Office messes things up and fails to put proper plans in place.
“These are completely unacceptable delays. British families shouldn’t be missing out on hardearned breaks because the Home Office didn’t plan.”
The Passport Office is also warning that availability for in-person appointments for last-minute travel will be limited.
Passport Director General Abi Tierney said: “Many people are leaving applying for a passport too late. Summer holidays are fast approaching, so if you need a new passport we urge you to apply now.”
Last month, new passports were being turned around in six weeks and renewals in five – but now that looks set to double.
It is in sharp contrast to the twoweek turnarounds Passport Office boss Mark Thompson demanded of staff in 2018. He left in 2020.
The Association of British Travel Agents said: “We urge people to renew or apply as early as possible.”