DESPERATE families are being warned to avoid applying for Fast Track passports on Mondays – as they have the least chance of getting through.
Holidaymakers have faced waiting more than 10 weeks for their passport due to huge delays caused by demand.
This has led to many opting for the Fast Track services in the hope of getting them back in time for holidays.
Dr Hodge, who has launched the Twitter account UK Passport Check, analysed the days that Fast Track appointments get announced, as there are limited amounts per day.
His research found that not only were the appointments released at random, but the busiest days for applications were found to be Mondays.
So families trying to get an appointment on the first day of the week will be the least likely to get one, so applying later in the week may have more luck.
Read more travel stories
Travel warning as leaked memo shows passport chaos will get WORSE
Mum’s holiday warning as son’s passport ‘cancelled’ days before family trip
He shared his top tips for trying to get a Fast Track appointment, which includes refreshing the website even if it says it the system is busy, and to having a digital photograph ready for the application.
Brits can also follow his Twitter account which updates when their are new appointments.
But passport chaos is only set to get WORSE this summer, a leaked memo has revealed.
Holidaymakers trying to jet off will face more disruption as the Passport Office struggles to work through half a million applications because of slow IT systems.
Most read in News Travel
HOLIDAY HELL 
Spain holiday warning as Brits targeted by prostitutes & violent pickpockets
Hotel guest horrified after ordering £14 flatbread pizza from room service
Couple split opinion after refusing to move seats for mum & baby during flight
I'm a flight attendant – there's a gross reason you should never use toilet paper
The Passport Office's systems aren't "fit for purpose" and staff are struggling to get through the 500,000 applications currently sitting in a backlog.
The leaked messages obtained by The Times show that this is only the "beginning of a very lengthy scenario.”
It's estimated that 4.5million Brits had their passports expire during the Covid pandemic when travel restrictions put the tourism industry on hold.
Brits keen to go on holidays this year have faced passport delays and airport havoc amid staffing issues in the struggling industry.
One family had to cancel their £3,000 trip to Disneyland because of the passport renewal delays.
Read More on The Sun
I’m a doctor – here’s 4 signs of burnout you must never ignore
I’m a gypsy and gave my son a very unusual name, I love dressing him up too
Another family said they applied for their children's passports back in January 2022 – and still haven't got them back.
Passports must also be no more than ten years since it was issued and you'll need a minimum of three or six months to gain entry into many destinations.
Source: Read Full Article
