UK holidaymakers urged to act now ahead of summer holidays.
The UK government has warned travellers that the extended wait-time to process new passport applications introduced during the Covid pandemic will remain in place due to what it described as “elevated” and “volatile” demand.
The current wait time, according to the government website, is ten weeks, meaning anyone planning to leave the UK in late April or early May needs to get their applications into the passport office at their earliest opportunity.
The update comes at a time when the cost to apply for a British passport rose by just under ten per cent: the price is now £82.50 for adults and £53.50 for children; postal applications are now £93 for adults and £64 for children, with the increases applying to both new passports and renewals.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “We expect elevated demand for passports throughout the year – and demand can be volatile – so customers should continue to allow ten weeks. I urge people to apply in good time and not at the last minute.”
