Hundreds of people have taken to social media to complain after waiting months for a new passport.
According to Gov.uk, typical processing times for standard online applications were between five to six weeks in the week ending March 20. However, a tweet from the Passport Office on Monday (April 4) said: "Is your passport due to expire? You'll need to allow up to 10 weeks to process your passport application when applying from the UK."
Prior to the covid pandemic, people were advised of waits of around three weeks. The Home Office has said more than five million people delayed applying for a British passport throughout 2020 and 2021.
READ MORE: Spain, Greece, France and Turkey updated travel rules ahead of Easter holidays
Despite a 10 week warning being advised, a number of people are reporting longer waits - with some having to cancel or move their holidays. Many are unhappy as they are being "ignored" by the Passport Office when making enquiries.
Taking to Twitter, Katie Walsh said: "I have been waiting for a passport from original application date 16th January 2022 - I’ve allowed more than the 10 weeks. I am really starting to panic now that it has been lost in the process. Please can someone get back to me and HELP. Due to fly abroad in a few weeks time."
Kerry Ryan said: "Absolutely dire customer service. Applied with plenty of time -stated 5 weeks at time of application. Had 10 weeks to travel. Looks like £4k holiday will be wasted. I will be seeking these from HM Passport. Can’t get through on phone."
Richard Jones said: "You can't resolve queries over web or email so I'm now on hold for 15 minutes at 40p/minute. Why am I paying for your mistake?"
A spokesperson for Her Majesty's Passport Office told the ECHO : “Due to Covid-19, over 5 million people delayed applying for a British passport throughout 2020 and 2021. In preparation for the demand for international travel returning, since April 2021 we have published clear guidance that our customers should allow up to ten weeks to get their passport.
“In busier periods, call waiting times will take longer. However, we continue to work with our supplier to further recruit and support the effort to return response times closer to normal levels.”
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
