UK holidaymakers warned over passport renewals as government shares worst dates
UK holidaymakers have been warned about the worst dates to apply for a passport, or renew their existing one. Thoughts may now be turning to Easter and summer getaways or perhaps planning to be out of the country next winter to avoid the miserable weather.
But there are some dates for passport applications that may be best avoided. The end of this week has become one of the worst times to do so, according to data from HM Passport Office.
Figures show January 30, 31 and February 1 have ranked in the top five busiest days for passport submissions since the start of 2022. The list is completed by two dates in March, meaning it may be wise to avoid applying or renewing in the first three months of the year altogether.
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According to recent data from the government agency, March 17 was the most hectic day for receiving applications in 2023, with March 18 also in the mix. Those were a Friday and Saturday three weeks before Easter.
Crucially, most people typically receive their new passport within three weeks, suggesting that holidaymakers were hoping they'd have everything sorted in time for an Easter getaway that year. For 2025, Easter is April 18-20, and three weeks before that would be around Friday, March 28 if you want to use the same timeframe, but that is still cutting it fine and relies on not having any issues that delay your application or renewal.
Mario Van Poppel, from foreign currency provider Manor FX, which obtained the data via the Freedom of Information Act, says it shows the benefits of being organised when travelling abroad.
He said: "Booking a trip and then realising your passport has run out is a nightmare, but it’s something that has caught out many people. With new rules in place, the importance of getting your passport renewal sorted sooner rather than later has never been more important. Unlike getting some last-minute foreign currency, obtaining a new passport days or even hours ahead of setting off for the airport is simply not possible."
Post-Brexit changes have caught out many UK holidaymakers over recent years, with passports having to be valid for more than three months and a new 10-year rule also in place. With the start of the year a peak time for booking summer breaks - as Brits shiver in chilly temperatures at home and long for warmth and sunshine - there's often a rush to fill out application forms and take new ID photos.
But the HMPO data highlights that it's worth planning ahead if you want your new blue passport returned much faster. Making up the top 10 busiest days were January 29 in 2023, March 20 and April 10 in 2024, and May 1 and April 27 in 2022.
Mario added: "While it is not always possible to predict the exact date your renewal will be dealt with, there are patterns in this data that show the first three months of the year are definitely the busiest."
Since leaving the EU, UK citizens travelling to all countries in the single market must have a passport issued less than 10 years before the departure date and valid for three months after the planned return date. Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein are also included but despite being in the EU, Ireland is not.
Passports issued after 2018 are valid for precisely 10 years, but those issued before then could be valid for up to 10 years and nine months due to older rules.
The Passport Office data also revealed that, unsurprisingly, Christmas Day, Christmas Eve and Boxing Day were the quietest days for renewals. Meanwhile, December 23, 18 and 17 were also at the bottom of the rankings for numbers received.
The HMPO website states: "You can technically renew your passport at any time. It is generally advised to renew your passport around nine months before your current passport expires. This accounts for possible delays or complications. It also gives you peace of mind regarding the six or three-month travel rule that applies to many countries."
It adds: "You'll usually get your passport within three weeks. It may take longer than three weeks if we need more information, or we need to interview you."