Passport problems

[CaptainKirk]

Why is this even a news item anymore?
How many sob stories do we have to hear from people having "their holidays ruined" by the Airline/Airport/Staff/Michael O'Leary etc
How thick do you have to be to not know the rules by now!!!
Rant over.

[TheFamilyCat]

Odd thing to be angry about but more exposure will mean it happens to less people in future.

How do people have passports that are over 10 years old anyway when they expire after 10 years?

[Leisure]

Odd thing to be angry about but more exposure will mean it happens to less people in future.

How do people have passports that are over 10 years old anyway when they expire after 10 years?

Because you can renew them up to 9 months before they expire. So you would then have a passport with a life of 10 years and 9 months.

[IanMcL]

Because you can renew them up to 9 months before they expire. So you would then have a passport with a life of 10 years and 9 months.

Not quite as simple as that, nowadays, since the EU exit.

The added bit doesn't count in the same way.

[AmbleClaret]

Another Brexit benefit,they keep coming.

[fidelcastro]

Another Brexit benefit,they keep coming.

Aye, sovereignty and took back control apparently.

[Funkydrummer]

My partner renewed her passport only yesterday online and they
have scrapped the "additional" period if renewing before expiry date.
i.e, you only get 10 years.

Also, according to the recent "news letter" from Martin Lewis they are due
to increase by circa 7% wef 11th April provided it's not blocked by Parliamentary
scrutiny, which is deemed unlikely.

Online :- Adult :-£82.50 to £88.50
Child :- £53.50 to £57.50

Post :- Adult :- £93 to £100
Child :- £64 to £69

Roughly, if you've less than 10 months left on your passport it is, in most cases,
advantageous to renew early. (this is related to losing the "extra" months.

[Paul Waine]

Why is this even a news item anymore?
How many sob stories do we have to hear from people having "their holidays ruined" by the Airline/Airport/Staff/Michael O'Leary etc
How thick do you have to be to not know the rules by now!!!
Rant over.

Story on BBC today because a BBC reporter was stopped from getting on a flight.

On the other hand, despite change being made in Parliament sometime in the early 1990s equalising pension ages for women and men the WASPI women have campaigned for a long time that they weren't informed in time.

We often only pay attention to something when we think it might effect us. Easy to miss things that might matter to you sometimes.

[bobinho]

“Because you can renew them up to 9 months before they expire. So you would then have a passport with a life of 10 years and 9 months.”

You would if it was managed and run by someone with a brain Pete.

Firstly, we shouldn’t be “buying” a passport…. If you are a British national, the passport should be free.

Secondly, passports don’t currently last 10 years, they last 9 years and 6 months, seeing as we can’t actually travel anywhere during the final six months of its “shelf life”. No reason whatsoever (other than us being fleeced again) we should pay for ten years and get less.

Thirdly, it’s not going to be difficult to manage, if someone with a brain gets involved, nothing changed overnight when we left the EU. It could be simple and straightforward, if they want it to be.

[Pickles]

The passports are blue now though so that's a good thing.

[fidelcastro]

The passports are blue now though so that's a good thing.

But yet when the St. George's flag on a football shirt was blue, people were up in arms.

It's so confusing.

[ŽižkovClaret]

“Because you can renew them up to 9 months before they expire. So you would then have a passport with a life of 10 years and 9 months.”

You would if it was managed and run by someone with a brain Pete.

Firstly, we shouldn’t be “buying” a passport…. If you are a British national, the passport should be free.

Secondly, passports don’t currently last 10 years, they last 9 years and 6 months, seeing as we can’t actually travel anywhere during the final six months of its “shelf life”. No reason whatsoever (other than us being fleeced again) we should pay for ten years and get less.

Thirdly, it’s not going to be difficult to manage, if someone with a brain gets involved, nothing changed overnight when we left the EU. It could be simple and straightforward, if they want it to be.

Free would be a push, but they manage to do them here for the natives for around 20 quid

[Funkydrummer]

I believe that the 6 months that had to be left on your passport when your overseas visit ended, has been reduced to 3 months. Whether that's only for certain venues or not I don't know.

Also, if your passport was renewed more than 10 months before you go abroad you will not be allowed out of the country - except to Ireland apparently.

Think I'll holiday in the UK, it's much simpler.

[Tricky Trevor]

I knew the 10year/3months rules but nearly got caught out by another highlighted on the bbc.
My full name, on passport, did not match the diminutive on my boarding card.
Quick call to Ryanair this morning and it was amended for free, much to my delight. I was expecting a charge.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Anytime I travel, I ensure my passport meets the requirements of where I’m going
For the USA I make sure my esta is in date, speaking of which mine needs to be renewed this year before I go over again

It’s not rocket science to make sure your travel documents are all in order before leaving the uk
Expecting the airlines to contact all customers to ensure they check their own travel documents etc is amusing to say the least, that isn’t their job

If you’re making these simple mistakes in 2024 then it isn’t the system that’s at fault, it’s those wishing to travel

People can harp on about Brexit etc all they like, but it’s pretty daft to do so

[Tricky Trevor]

I believe that the 6 months that had to be left on your passport when your overseas visit ended, has been reduced to 3 months. Whether that's only for certain venues or not I don't know.

Also, if your passport was renewed more than 10 months before you go abroad you will not be allowed out of the country - except to Ireland apparently.

Think I'll holiday in the UK, it's much simpler.

A typo I guess. That’s 10 years.

[Funkydrummer]

A typo I guess. That’s 10 years.

Yup, a typo !!! 10 years it is.

Just checking if you're all awake.

[ClaretDiver]

“Because you can renew them up to 9 months before they expire. So you would then have a passport with a life of 10 years and 9 months.”

You would if it was managed and run by someone with a brain Pete.

Firstly, we shouldn’t be “buying” a passport…. If you are a British national, the passport should be free.

Secondly, passports don’t currently last 10 years, they last 9 years and 6 months, seeing as we can’t actually travel anywhere during the final six months of its “shelf life”. No reason whatsoever (other than us being fleeced again) we should pay for ten years and get less.

Thirdly, it’s not going to be difficult to manage, if someone with a brain gets involved, nothing changed overnight when we left the EU. It could be simple and straightforward, if they want it to be.

Firstly, why should a passport be free? Genuine question…

Nobody is being ‘fleeced’ getting a passport, it is a choice that people make should they choose to travel abroad.

No it’s not difficult to manage, take the original expiry date and add 9 years and 6 months….??

If people can afford to pay a few grand for a holiday, say, every couple of years then the document required to undertake these holidays is a bargain!

[IanMcL]

Passports don’t currently last 10 years, they last 9 years and 6 months, seeing as we can’t actually travel anywhere during the final six months of its “shelf life”. No reason whatsoever (other than us being fleeced again) we should pay for ten years and get less.

Couple of thoughts:
1. You can't stay more than 90 days in Europe, so we should get '9 years and 9 months! (But we don't)
2. We don't even get 9 years and 6 months because we have to order a new one early and post off our old, active passport.

[Rileybobs]

On the bright side the passport office seem to have got their act together as we got a new one issued within 2 weeks of making the application just this month. Compared to the chaos we faced 2 years ago…

[ClaretDiver]

Even with all of these ‘we only get 9 years 6 months’ etc…you pay less than £1 per month for the privilege of having your £1000 holiday in the sun every year, if you don’t agree with it then just stay in the UK?? Simple!

[Stayingup]

Another Brexit benefit,they keep coming.

It's simple really like your comment. Learn the rules. Dead easy.

[Stayingup]

Firstly, why should a passport be free? Genuine question…

Nobody is being ‘fleeced’ getting a passport, it is a choice that people make should they choose to travel abroad.

No it’s not difficult to manage, take the original expiry date and add 9 years and 6 months….??

If people can afford to pay a few grand for a holiday, say, every couple of years then the document required to undertake these holidays is a bargain!

You can in fact have two passports. I did have but it probably was an extreme case. I used to visit quite a few Islamic countries and also Israel for business reasons. If I'd had an Israeli stamp in my passport I would have had a problem for example entering Malaysia, maybe Indonesia and certainly Iran and Pakistan. So I applied for a second passport and got it.

[Poulton-le-Claret]

Never understand people saying passports should be 'free'. Nothing is 'free', you have to pay for it via increased taxes instead.

[CrosspoolClarets]

I booked a non refundable £2k holiday yesterday, to leave on Saturday for the EU.

Today, after seeing the BBC website, never having heard the 10 year rule, I checked my passport and despite having plenty of time left it was 10 years and 3 months since issue.

I then checked the Urgent 1 Day passport renewal service, expecting to drive to Liverpool tomorrow to get it. Next appointment anywhere, 7 days time.

So it looks like I’ll be £2k down and have nothing to show for it, can’t decide who to blame, the EU for a stupidly pointless rule, the UK for not communicating it, or me for not knowing about it. Whatever, it’s a farce. To add insult to injury, I’ve already disposed of my Wolves tickets.

[HunterST_BFC]

The reason the Passport Dates Rules are not promoted is down to the blanket media avoidance of the B word.
BREXIT.

The irony being the rules - as were allowed while in the EU actually still stand to travel to many other Countries, just now no longer to the EU.

The change in UK passport standing has been known about - but the B word seems banned as it triggers those who stupidly voted for it - those same people outraged that the EU treats the travel from UK to EU just like all other places outside the EU.

Wait until you find out the Customs & passport waits and checks now.
See how little a £pound to a Euro now gets.
Import Tax being fully implimented after kicking down the road.

Massive Job for next Gov'

"Ever think you've been had?"

[dsr]

The reason the Passport Dates Rules are not promoted is down to the blanket media avoidance of the B word.
BREXIT.

The irony being the rules - as were allowed while in the EU actually still stand to travel to many other Countries, just now no longer to the EU.

The change in UK passport standing has been known about - but the B word seems banned as it triggers those who stupidly voted for it - those same people outraged that the EU treats the travel from UK to EU just like all other places outside the EU.

Wait until you find out the Customs & passport waits and checks now.
See how little a £pound to a Euro now gets.
Import Tax being fully implimented after kicking down the road.

Massive Job for next Gov'

"Ever think you've been had?"

The point about the EU change of rules is that the UK was just about the only country that did the 9 month possible extension to passports. As long as the UK was in the EU, although outside the Schengen area, the EU were happy to let valid UK passports into the country. Since we left the EU, but still outside the Schengen area, they are not happy.

Whether the leaving of the EU suddenly triggered a realisation that people with passports of 10 years and 3 months old were a danger ot EU society, or whether it was just a petty pinprick against the vote not going their way, we don't know. It's irrelevant anyway. This issue has been widely publicised, but clearly not everywhere because it still catches people out.

[dsr]

I booked a non refundable £2k holiday yesterday, to leave on Saturday for the EU.

Today, after seeing the BBC website, never having heard the 10 year rule, I checked my passport and despite having plenty of time left it was 10 years and 3 months since issue.

I then checked the Urgent 1 Day passport renewal service, expecting to drive to Liverpool tomorrow to get it. Next appointment anywhere, 7 days time.

So it looks like I’ll be £2k down and have nothing to show for it, can’t decide who to blame, the EU for a stupidly pointless rule, the UK for not communicating it, or me for not knowing about it. Whatever, it’s a farce. To add insult to injury, I’ve already disposed of my Wolves tickets.

Is it re-schedulable? Or if booked with a travel agent, can they be persuaded that it was their fault for not telling you so they can help with rescheduling? Or even compensating?

[basil6345789]

Another Brexit benefit,they keep coming.

Brussels keeps behaving like a bitter divorced woman

[basil6345789]

But yet when the St. George's flag on a football shirt was blue, people were up in arms.

It's so confusing.

Eh?

[basil6345789]

I booked a non refundable £2k holiday yesterday, to leave on Saturday for the EU.

Today, after seeing the BBC website, never having heard the 10 year rule, I checked my passport and despite having plenty of time left it was 10 years and 3 months since issue.

I then checked the Urgent 1 Day passport renewal service, expecting to drive to Liverpool tomorrow to get it. Next appointment anywhere, 7 days time.

So it looks like I’ll be £2k down and have nothing to show for it, can’t decide who to blame, the EU for a stupidly pointless rule, the UK for not communicating it, or me for not knowing about it. Whatever, it’s a farce. To add insult to injury, I’ve already disposed of my Wolves tickets.

EU barstewards

[Taffy on the wing]

Not quite as simple as that, nowadays, since the EU exit.

The added bit doesn't count in the same way.

Why would anyone need one anyway......isn't everyone enjoying British wine on the sunlit uplands?

[ClaretDiver]

Is it re-schedulable? Or if booked with a travel agent, can they be persuaded that it was their fault for not telling you so they can help with rescheduling? Or even compensating?

Unfortunately the travel agent is under no obligation to explain to a customer the passport rules. That lays with the customer to ensure they know the rules.

[JohnMcGreal]

It's a shame that people are being left out of pocket as a result of rule changes like these. Just as it's a shame for all those British businesses that had their legs blown off by their own government's decision to impose economic sanctions on them by erecting trade barriers with our closest market.

But at the end of the day we've got our sovereignty back and you can't put a price on that.

[ChrisG]

Brussels keeps behaving like a bitter divorced woman

The UK is no longer part of the EU through our own choice. It is therefore subject to the same rules as every other country that isn't a member.

They aren't being "bitter", we literally chose to not be a member any more.

And frankly as someone who lives in the EU it's a right ballache.

[Tricky Trevor]

Couple of thoughts:
1. You can't stay more than 90 days in Europe, so we should get '9 years and 9 months! (But we don't)
2. We don't even get 9 years and 6 months because we have to order a new one early and post off our old, active passport.

You can order your new passport within 9 months of expiry date. If you do Passport Office honour that 9 months, meaning your new passport is 10 years 9 months. A reason your passport can be over 10 years old.

[Eloise Laws]

I renewed my passport in Aug 2022, it now expires in Aug 2032…..the added months that were on my previous passport were NOT added onto the new one…

[NottsClaret]

On the bright side the passport office seem to have got their act together as we got a new one issued within 2 weeks of making the application just this month. Compared to the chaos we faced 2 years ago…

Same. I know the preferred vibe on here is angry exasperation, but the application was simple, quick and efficient. Looking forward to my hols now.

[NottsClaret]

I renewed my passport in Aug 2022, it now expires in Aug 2032…..the added months that were on my previous passport were NOT added onto the new one…

Yeah, they don't do it anymore. This problem only applies to passports issued before 2018, although there are about 30 million of them.

[Funkydrummer]

Could someone please explain where and why 2018 comes into it ?

[Funkydrummer]

You can order your new passport within 9 months of expiry date. If you do Passport Office honour that 9 months, meaning your new passport is 10 years 9 months. A reason your passport can be over 10 years old.

Not any more.

[CrosspoolClarets]

EU barstewards

You are right. I’m still hunting furiously for a passport renewal appointment today so I can fly on Saturday, and there is a lot to slag off this government for. Such as, they have details of those of us with 10+ year old passports, so why not write to us, informing of this EU rule and urging renewals? That’s before we get to me being quoted 7 days waits for a “urgent” 1 day priority renewal. Nowadays it feels like nobody in government agencies are on your side.

But, the EU, what a shower. Crazy rule that nobody else in the world does, and all their countries (Portugal in my case) are obliged to follow it. Never been firmer in my conviction that it was right to leave, even if this stupid pointless rule has now cost me a lot of money, following on from when we were members their daft procurement rules cost me a lot of business. Can’t stand them.

[quoonbeatz]

Lol.

[Swizzlestick]

I think if I was putting two grand down on a non refundable holiday payment five days before I was due to leave, I’d be dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s with stuff like passport rules before I did that. But yeah, the EU are the ones to blame, or something.

[Tricky Trevor]

But, the EU, what a shower.

The EU is a club and your not a member. From your tone it appears that was your choice so live with it.

[AlargeClaret]

Who in their right mind travels with an out of date passport ??
I notice they always seem to be going to France, as opposed to say using your out of date passport in China, US, AUS, Asia, Africa or almost anywhere else in the world .
Considering we left the EU 4 yrs ago it seems quite bizarre the bbc had so many people on hand to make this “ mistake “

[Funkydrummer]

Could someone please explain where and why 2018 comes into it ?

Sussed it out !!!

[Claret3495]

EoFl-8gXYAE-Iqh.jpg (93.24 KiB) Viewed 1481 times

[Greenmile]

Anytime I travel, I ensure my passport meets the requirements of where I’m going
For the USA I make sure my esta is in date, speaking of which mine needs to be renewed this year before I go over again

It’s not rocket science to make sure your travel documents are all in order before leaving the uk
Expecting the airlines to contact all customers to ensure they check their own travel documents etc is amusing to say the least, that isn’t their job

If you’re making these simple mistakes in 2024 then it isn’t the system that’s at fault, it’s those wishing to travel

People can harp on about Brexit etc all they like, but it’s pretty daft to do so

The three certainties of life....

Death, taxes, and Sidney desperately trying to defend the Tories.

[LDNBFC87]

The UK is no longer part of the EU through our own choice. It is therefore subject to the same rules as every other country that isn't a member.

They aren't being "bitter", we literally chose to not be a member any more.

And frankly as someone who lives in the EU it's a right ballache.

Exactly this ChrisG.

It's alarming how many can't understand what Brexit actually means.