Are you aware when your passport expires?
Brits ought to verify their passport validity earlier than heading to Europe this spring and summer season as journey documentation guidelines have shifted since Brexit.
Right here’s all the things you should know concerning the new guidelines – and whether or not or not you’ll be able to nonetheless use your present passport.
What are the passport guidelines for Brits travelling to Europe?
You may assume that your passport is legitimate as much as the expiry date. However this isn’t all the time the case.
Earlier than Brexit, Brits might journey as much as and together with the expiry date on their passports. However EU laws now classify UK residents as ‘third nation nationals,’ which means the foundations have modified.
If a UK passport holder needs to go to the EU, they may want a passport:
- which was issued throughout the earlier 10 years.
- is legitimate for not less than three months after the date you intend to depart the EU nation you might be visiting – learn on for UK authorities recommendation on this.
These necessities apply to the entire Schengen space, which incorporates most EU international locations plus Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland.
Although British residents can enter the Schengen space with three months of validity on their passports, the UK authorities recommends that they’ve six months validity.
This permits a passport holder to journey for 90 days (the utmost variety of visa free days a UK citizen can go to Europe in a six month interval) and nonetheless exit with a legitimate passport.
What are the passport necessities for Brits travelling outdoors the EU?
Outdoors of the EU, passport necessities could be even stricter.
Some international locations – together with many in Asia and Africa – require UK residents to have six months of validity on their passports from the date of departure. China, Singapore, and Egypt fall into this class.
In different international locations, the foundations are much more relaxed. In Japan, Mexico, and Australia, for instance, your passport solely must be legitimate at some point of your keep.
Examine the particular necessities on the UK International Workplace web site.
How lengthy does it take to get a brand new passport?
In case your passport is edging near the expiry date, chances are you’ll wish to get an utility for a brand new one in fast.
The UK Residence workplace estimates that it presently takes roughly 10 weeks to get a brand new passport.
Nevertheless they will take for much longer than this.
Final summer season, annoyed candidates took to social media to share horror tales of prolonged queues and months-long delays.
“After a protracted wait (and a) failed try and renew UK passport from Aus, son utilized from UK, been ready 14 weeks, missed his journey,” consumer Julie Wilson posted final week.
“Please prioritise this! Was instructed by your employees to cease telephoning as this may solely delay the problem!”
On the finish of June, the Residence Workplace had a backlog of 550,000 passports.
This February, the federal government warned that prolonged, COVID-era ready occasions would stay in place on account of “elevated” and “risky” demand, The Telegraph stories.
British holidaymakers are subsequently nonetheless suggested to permit 10 weeks for passport renewal.
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