Up To Three Million May Have Failed To Renew Their Passports During The Pandemic

08 Apr 2021, 58 mins ago

It is assumed that these three million people have delayed submitting their renewal applications as a result of the foreign travel bans imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This suggests that there may be an unprecedented surge of applications once the ban on international travel is lifted.

Due to this anticipated flood of applications HM Passport Office is advising travellers to allow up to 10 weeks to receive the renewed passports, rather than the previously stated three weeks.

Overseas leisure travel from the UK is currently banned. However, this could change on 17 May 2021 under England’s lockdown roadmap. The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has advised that he is ‘hopeful’ some travel will resume from that date.

It is recommended that everyone check their passports and apply to the Passport Office where necessary to avoid disappointment due to the expected service delays.

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