Passport warning as government warns families to renew NOW for summer holidays – or risk missing out

THE government has issued urgent travel advice for Brits planning to renew their passports this year.

Anyone who has a summer holiday booked is being warned to renew the documents now – or risk having to cancel their trips.

Demand is at an all-time high with more than five million people delaying their applications during the pandemic when no one was travelling.

And as holidays abroad ramp up, with the UK travel restrictions being scrapped, millions will now be trying to apply.

Director General of HM Passport Office, Abi Tierney, said: “Now that international travel has resumed, we know people will be looking at going away on holiday and yet many people are leaving applying for a passport too late.  

“The summer holidays are fast approaching so if you need a new passport, we urge you to apply now."

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“Our dedicated staff are working tirelessly to ensure that passport applications are processed as quickly as possible.” 

The government recommends allowing up to 10 weeks when applying for your passport.

This means, if you applied today, you would get it back no later than the end of June.

However, due to demand, lots of families have said they have waited more than 10 weeks – and had to cancel their holidays.

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A family was forced to cancel their £1,800 holiday to the Canary Islands after they were stuck without one of their passports due to huge delays.

Other families have taken to Twitter to complain – one person wrote: "My daughter has missed her holiday despite the application going in on January 31. Also out of pocket."

Another put: "I still haven't had mine back after over 10 weeks! Due to fly in three weeks."

Brits have even been banned from boarding flights due to confusing rules regarding passports.

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Previously, Brits just needed to have a passport that was in date to be able to travel to countries across Europe, but new rules are now in place.

Martin Lewis has warned Brits who are renewing their passports that they could be paying more due to an easy mistake.

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