A Belfast travel agent has issued advice to holidaymakers surrounding passports.
Hays Travel in Victoria Square has urged those hoping to jet off this summer to check if their passport is in date now.
In a social media post relating to Irish passports, they said: "The Irish Passport Office is currently experiencing record application numbers.
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"For the first three months in 2022, over 350,000 applications were submitted. Processing times will be impacted as a result...
"Official guidance is not to book a holiday until you have a passport in your hand - there's no guarantee of time frames with the backlog! And, check that your passport is in date at least six months before your departure.
"For straightforward renewals, (No change in name etc), the easiest and quickest way is apply online:
https://www.dfa.ie/passportonline/
"Renewals for children can still be completed online, but you will have to print out the form and get it countersigned. This will slow down the application process."
Manager Jackie Geddis told Belfast Live : "The Irish passport basically... they are normally very good, especially if you are doing a renewal and you do it online.
"Their turnaround time is usually excellent. I've had people who have had their passport back in five days as it was just being renewed, but the issue at the minute now is that that over 350,000 people have applied in three months."
In addition to those applying for passports to get away on holiday after lockdowns, Jackie added: "I also think there is a bit behind the scene due to Brexit. People who usually wouldn't possess an Irish passport are now applying.
"Some people I think, especially if they are existing Irish passport holders, are thinking 'Oh it's fine, we aren't going to August, it just needs renewed', and now because of the amount of applications, people need to be doing it ASAP and not sitting back.
"Their turnaround times are a lot longer than they normally are.
"The next piece of advice is that renewals online is definitely the way to go. It is so straightforward and it is the quickest way to get your passport back. I would be getting them in now."
The travel expert is also urging those with a British passport to check that it is valid before they go away.
Hays say any extra months accrued if you have applied for a passport early are no longer accepted.
Your passport is only valid ten years from the date of issue.
They say to anyone who has got a trip booked to Europe, you must check you have enough validity from the date of return.
This is usually three to six months depending on your destination.
Jackie explained: "Some people are in possession of a British passport and when they look at their expiry date, it was more than ten years.
"There is a checker online, anyone with a British passport - it is only valid ten years from the date it was issued.
"Some people for example are in possession of a [British] passport that was issued on 1st January 2000, but yet their expiry date is maybe saying 31st May 2010... Really their passport would have ran out on 1st January 2010.
"They must also have a full six months validity (for most countries). If someone didn't know that, they could miss out on a holiday."
Hays also added how they have had to turn away some customers who want to book without their passport ready.
The manager said: "We've had people who have rang up and have seen an amazing deal, and once we check all the requirements I.e passport status- we have to say we aren't comfortable taking in the booking as there is risk they wouldn’t have their passport on time.
"We've had some people who will say 'Go ahead and book it' and you have to be realistic.
"We have had to knock back taking in someone's booking because they are not in a situation that they have valid passports. The customer would lose all their money.
"Once you are in a period of time, some tour operations will not allow you to change dates."
Jackie is also urging travellers to make sure they have insurance before going away - and to check with their provider what is covered.
She said: "Once you are in three weeks from departure, it's full cancellation charge with the tour operator.
"Covid is a big thing... our insurance does cover it, some do and some don't but ours does thankfully.
"You must ring your insurance company and check you are covered for Covid."
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