08/08/2023
PASSPORT VALIDITY & EXPIRY
When travelling to the EU, a ten-year British passport is only valid for exactly ten years after the date of issue – not the date of expiry.
Also, you must have at least three months’ validity on your passport beyond the date you intend to leave the EU’s free-movement Schengen territory.
DO YOUR RESEARCH - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Always check the specific entry requirements for the country you are visiting on the gov.uk website before travelling – the rules around passport validity vary from country to country.
For instance, for some countries such as Australia, Canada and the USA your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is needed. Whereas, many other countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Thailand and China will only permit entry if you have at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport.
COUNT YOUR BLANK PAGES!
If your passport is filling up with stamps, you need to renew it – even if it is not due to expire for a few years. This is because some countries have certain requirements for blank pages. Most will require at least one blank page but some, for instance, Italy requires at least two full blank pages for entry and exit stamps, and some countries, including South Africa, need 3.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
When applying for a renewed passport, you should allow up to ten weeks from when the passport office receives your old passport.
SHORT ON TIME?
There are two ways to apply for an urgent passport. The first is the ‘online premium’ service, in which you get a new passport at your appointment at your nearest passport office – the earliest you can get an appointment is two days from when you apply.
The second is the one-week ‘fast track’ service, in which you attend an appointment at the passport office, and a new passport is delivered to your home within seven days, excluding bank holidays. Only do this if you have not already applied.
Do not book travel until you have a valid passport - your new passport will not have the same number as your old one.
IF YOU NEED ADVICE..
Passport Adviceline
Telephone: 0300 222 0000
From outside the UK: +44 (0)300 222 0000
Textphone: 18001 0300 222 0222
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
Saturday, Sunday and UK bank holidays, 9am to 5:30pm
https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports