Everything you need to know about passport applications if you’re worried about delays

Applying for a passport is one of those tasks you only need to worry about once a decade, but it can creep up on you and take you by surprise. A lot can change in this time so if you need to apply for a new passport, it’s important to be updated on how the process works.

Brexit is one of the biggest changes to the passport application process in recent years, with blue passports now replacing the burgundy ones. Yet there are other factors which you may have missed, consumer rights expert Martyn James writes for The Mirror.

One thing which can catch you out is how much time is left until your passport expires, while strikes recently announced by HM Passport Office can cause travellers to panic. But it doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Read on for the key things you need to know if you’re applying for a new passport.

READ MORE: Mapped: The most dangerous places to travel to in 2023

It’s a good idea to consider renewing your passport at least nine months before your current one is due to expire. Although this sounds premature, it can help you to avoid any complications.

Countries may have different rules on how much time your passport should have remaining before it expires. For example, EU countries require you to have three months of validity from the end date of your trip.

Finally, the current advice is to allow for 10 weeks for a new or renewed passport to be processed and issued.

Passports have both issue and expiry dates. When the UK was a member state of the EU this didn’t matter too much and actually had a few benefits.

Previously if you applied for a passport when there was still time remaining, this would be added to your new passport. For example, if you renewed your passport with five months