Passport Office strike: Travel expert reveals how to avoid delays

With the passport office announcing a five-week walkout in April, travellers heading overseas this summer must act fast to avoid any passport issues and delays.

Luckily, the travel and luggage storage experts at Bounce have put together their top tips to help you save both time, and money, as well as minimize travel concerns. Cody Candee, CEO and Founder of Bounce shared some helpful tips:

1. Check that your passport is valid: It may sound obvious, but if you’re travelling abroad you must make sure that your passport is valid for the entire duration of your trip. Not only should your passport be valid for your departure date, but many countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months after your arrival. This remains true, even if you’re visiting for a day.
2. Renew your passport early: With the cost of fast-tracking a new passport significantly more expensive than standard applications, we recommend renewing your passport well in advance. If you have less than six months’ validity, we recommend applying for a new passport immediately. Not only are processing times currently around ten weeks, but as travel is back on the cards for many following the pandemic, the Home Office is predicting another massive year for renewals.
3. Check your blank pages: If you run out of blank passport pages you will have to renew your passport sooner than your renewal date. Some countries, such as Italy, require a fully blank visa page for valid entry, while others, such as South Africa require at least two. Be sure to check the requirements of your chosen destination before travelling so that you don’t get caught out.
4. Beware of copycat websites: ​​There are a variety of websites that imitate official Government websites for passport applications. These websites attempt to charge users GBP20 – GBP100 on top of the official passport fee, by offering additional ‘validation’ services. When applying for a new passport, be cautious of these types of websites, and be sure only to use trusted sources. For example, the Post Office’s Check & Send Service offers in-depth passport application guidance, from specially trained Postmasters.