The UK Government has urged travellers to check that their passport is up to date as it deals with a backlog of 400,000 passport applications following Covid-19.
The Home Office department Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) says that social distancing rules have meant that fewer staff are able to work.
HMPO confirmed that 126,000 applications are currently being processed, while another 284,000 are in the queue, however expedited applications are available for holidaymakers who are due to travel within the next fortnight, and where HMPO has had their application for longer than four weeks for renewal applications. In these cases, passports can be delivered within five working days.
HMPO said: “This is always a busy time and with the added difficulties during the coronavirus pandemic, HMPO has had to scale back its operation. But it is working hard to get services fully resumed as soon as possible.
“HMPO recognises that an increasing number of people who do not meet the urgent and compassionate criteria will want a passport more quickly as international travel restrictions continue to ease, particularly those with pre-existing bookings.
“Therefore, where a UK-based customer can evidence they are due to travel within the next fortnight, and where HMPO has had their application for longer than four weeks for renewal applications, it will expedite their application so that it is delivered within five working days.
“For adults applying for a passport for the first time, the required security checks mean that the process will take longer than renewals but HMPO are working hard to ensure that anyone with pre-planned travel does not miss out if their passport application has been submitted correctly and in good time.
“However, as HMPO always says, people should not book travel until they have received their passport and that advice still stands.”
