Passport Warning – Families requiring extensions are asked NOT to book a holiday

FAMILIES are urged not to book their holiday until they have a new passport.

Up to 9.5 million passport applications are expected to be filed this year after millions expired during the pandemic.

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This had resulted in many families waiting much longer than the recommended 5-6 weeks for their passports to be returned.

The Government has since warned that Britons should not book a holiday until they have their passports back – as they have different numbers.

The website states: “It is important to stress that you should not book a trip until you have a valid passport – your new passport will not have the same passport number as your old one.”

The Home Office has also warned Brits not to allow more than the recommended 10 weeks to get their passports back due to popular demand.

The website states: “Customers can also help ensure there are no delays with their application, e.g. B. by using a high-quality photo with a digital code, applying online and applying for a new passport more than 10 weeks before travel. “

While they add that they’ve hired more staff and introduced more fast-track appointments, many families have still been forced to cancel or reschedule their vacations because of the delays.

A woman told Sun Online Travel how she had to miss her £3,000 Spanish holiday with her family due to passport jams.

A heartbroken aunt had said her family’s £10,000 holiday to Menorca was ruined as her five-year-old niece’s passport still hadn’t arrived.

And another couple could be forced to call off their £40,000 wedding thanks to the ongoing chaos.

And a passport worker has warned that application delays will only get WORSE this summer.

A passport worker, who remained anonymous, told i that the delays “will only get worse” this summer, adding that the current delays are the “tip of the iceberg” of the problems.

They explained that this is because the current system for passport applications is not “fit for purpose”.

They also said that the main problem was staffing, saying, “They tried to hire 1,700 people but they didn’t realize anything like that because they can’t get the staff.

“It’s difficult to recruit with low wages and fixed-term contracts.”

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