An entire information to what number of months you must journey to the EU, Asia, Africa and different high vacation locations.
Have you learnt when your passport expires?
Since Brexit, new guidelines have utilized to passport validity when travelling to Europe and different locations.
However many individuals nonetheless aren’t conscious of the change in rules or what occurs in case your journey paperwork aren’t legitimate.
Earlier than heading overseas this summer season, right here’s all the things you must know in regards to the new guidelines – and whether or not or not you’ll be able to 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 might journey as much as and together with the expiry date on their passports. However EU rules now classify UK residents as ‘third nation nationals,’ that means the foundations have modified.
If a UK passport holder desires to go to the EU, they may want a passport:
- which was issued inside the earlier 10 years.
- is legitimate for a minimum of three months after the date you propose to depart the EU nation you’re 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 might 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 foundations are way more relaxed. In Japan, Mexico, and Australia, for instance, your passport solely must be legitimate at some point of your keep.
Test the precise necessities on the UK Overseas Workplace web site.
How lengthy does it take to get a brand new passport?
In case your passport is edging near the expiry date, chances are you’ll need to get an utility for a brand new one in fast.
The UK Dwelling workplace estimates that it presently takes roughly 10 weeks to get a brand new passport.
Final 12 months, nonetheless, tons of of 1000’s of individuals waited for much longer.
Final summer season, annoyed candidates took to social media to share horror tales of prolonged queues and months-long delays.
“After an extended 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 informed by your employees to cease telephoning as it will solely delay the difficulty!”
This 12 months, the scenario 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 informed parliament.
