Thousands of Scots are expected to catch up on holidays this year as international travel resumes to an almost pre-pandemic normality.
Lockdowns and Covid restrictions meant that many people put their trips abroad on hold over the past two years.
But these restrictions are finally easing across the globe - including in Scotland, where travellers are not required to test or show proof of vaccination when re-entering the country.
This has resulted in a large number of people booking summer holidays this year.
Co-op Insurance has said that it has seen the number of people taking out travel policies between January and April this year more than double compared to the same period in 2019.
But Scots in need of a new passport have been met by delays in recent weeks as many seek to take advantage of easing restrictions.
What is causing the passport delay?
The number of people applying for their passports or submitting their renewal forms dropped over the past two years during the Covid pandemic.
Officials at the Passport Office has suggested that over five million people in the UK chose not to send their application off in 2020 and 2021.
As international travel now returns to pre-pandemic normality, the number of travellers getting their forms has spiked in recent months.
Since this month, the Passport Office has been advising people to allow up to 10 weeks when applying for their passport.
Abi Tierney, Director General of the Passport Office, said: “Now that international travel has resumed, we know people will be looking at going away on holiday and yet many people are leaving applying for a passport too late.
“The summer holidays are fast approaching so if you need a new passport, we urge you to apply now.
“Our dedicated staff are working tirelessly to ensure that passport applications are processed as quickly as possible.”
Ways to fast track your passport application
Travellers can speed up the application through two measures - the one week fast track service, or Online Premium Service.
The Fast Track service costs £142 for an adult passport or £122 for a child passport.
This is available to people who are seeking to renew an expired or expiring passport, change personal details, replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport or to apply for a first child passport.
To access this service, travellers will be required to fill in a paper application from the Post Office, book a Passport Office appointment, where you will be required to provide your filled in application form alongside two passport photos and other supporting documents.
The Online Premium Service costs more at £177 for an adult passport.
You will be able to book the appointment online, and will be asked to provide your old passport, a device that takes digital photos and some form of ID.
However, the Passport Office has warned that appointment availability is “limited” due to the current backlog.
More information on fast tracking can be found here.
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