With the summer holidays in full flow and Covid restrictions largely lifted, it seems everyone wants to get away on holiday. But many are facing an anxious wait to see if their passport comes through before their departure date.
Currently, a backlog of around half a million passport applications is being processed by Her Majesty's Passport Office (HMPO). This has caused a backlash on social media from angry would-be holidaymakers, with some having to cancel their foreign travel plans.
Latest HMPO figures reveal 550,000 applications are waiting to be processed, with the backlog falling by around 60,000 a week. But that fall is little comfort to the thousands still waiting.
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So why are there such long delays and is there anything you can do to speed up the process? And is there any light at the end of the tunnel?
What is causing passport delays?
HMPO says a spike in demand, following the easing of Covid restrictions, has led to the the problems. Delays in recruiting extra staff have also affected processing times.
How long will my passport take?
Normally, it takes three weeks for passports to be processed. However, right now the wait is up to 10 weeks, with 10% of applications taking even longer.
What can I do to avoid unnecessary delays?
The HMPO advice is to apply for a passport far in advance of travel, bearing in mind the 10-week wait. It says you should only make travel plans when you have your passport.
Applying for a passport online and submitting a high-quality photo can also make the process quicker. Applying online is also cheaper.
There are usually methods for getting a passport urgently – such as the Online Premium and 1 Week Fast Track offerings. However, as well as the fact these are much more expensive, they do not currently seem to be available (although it is worth checking on the HMPO website).
What is the Government doing about the passport delays?
The Government says it has taken the following action:
- Increased staff numbers by 500 since April 2021, with a further 700 to be recruited
- Recruited additional customer care staff to handle calls to the Passport Adviceline
- Contracted more delivery companies to ensure timely delivery of passports and supporting documents
- Increased availability for fast-track appointments and extended working hours.
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