A full information to what number of months you want in your passport to journey to the EU, Asia, Africa and different high vacation locations.
It’s nearly three years since Britain left the EU however many UK travellers are nonetheless unaware of the passport validity guidelines that got here into power since Brexit.
A whole lot of travellers have been caught out this summer time when immigration officers advised them they did not have sufficient months left on their passport. Lengthy-awaited holidays had been ruined after they had been advised they weren’t allowed on the airplane or prepare.
To be sure to do not get caught out right here’s all the pieces you might want to know in regards to the new guidelines – and whether or not or not you may nonetheless use your present passport.
What are the passport guidelines for Brits travelling to Europe?
You would possibly assume that your passport is legitimate as much as the expiry date. However this isn’t all the time the case.
Earlier than Brexit, Brits may journey as much as and together with the expiry date on their passports. However EU rules now classify UK residents as ‘third nation nationals,’ which means the principles have modified.
If a UK passport holder desires to go to the EU, they are going to want a passport:
- which was issued inside the earlier 10 years.
- is legitimate for not less than three months after the date you propose to depart the EU nation you might be visiting – learn on for UK authorities recommendation on this.
These necessities apply to the entire Schengen space, which incorporates most EU international locations plus Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland.
Although British residents can enter the Schengen space with three months of validity on their passports, the UK authorities recommends that they’ve six months validity.
This enables a passport holder to journey for 90 days (the utmost variety of visa free days a UK citizen can go to Europe in a six month interval) and nonetheless exit with a sound passport.
What are the passport necessities for Brits travelling exterior the EU?
Outdoors of the EU, passport necessities will be even stricter.
Some international locations – together with many in Asia and Africa – require UK residents to have six months of validity on their passports from the date of departure. China, Singapore, and Egypt fall into this class.
In different international locations, the principles are much more relaxed. In Japan, Mexico, and Australia, for instance, your passport solely must be legitimate at some stage in your keep.
Examine the particular necessities on the UK Overseas Workplace web site.
What are the principles on passport validity for different nationalities getting into the UK?
When coming into the UK, on any passport or ID card, the principles are much less strict. The UK authorities web site states that your passport or ID card should merely be legitimate ‘for the entire of your keep’.
You’ll be able to examine which paperwork will mean you can enter the UK primarily based in your nationality right here.
How lengthy does it take to get a brand new passport?
In case your passport is edging near the expiry date, you could wish to get an software for a brand new one in fast.
The UK Dwelling workplace says it’s best to enable 10 weeks to get a brand new passport.
Final yr, nevertheless, a whole bunch of 1000’s of individuals waited for much longer.
Final summer time, pissed off candidates took to social media to share horror tales of prolonged queues and months-long delays.
“After a protracted wait (and a) failed try to renew UK passport from Aus, son utilized from UK, been ready 14 weeks, missed his journey,” person Julie Wilson posted.
“Please prioritise this! Was advised by your employees to cease telephoning as this can solely delay the difficulty!”
This yr, the state of affairs appears to have improved. In January and February, 99.5 per cent of passport functions had been processed inside ten weeks, the Dwelling Workplace reported.
“Clients ought to proceed to permit 10 weeks, and I urge folks to use in good time, not on the final minute, to keep away from delays,” Dwelling Secretary Suella Braverman advised parliament.