Alerts have been given to more than one million UK passport holders beyond the expiration date. Some travelers may not be aware of the strict passport rules enforced by some countries regarding their holidays there. In fact, if you only have a certain day or a few months left in your passport, you cannot travel to many places around the world. You may think it's okay to travel abroad until the day your passport expires, but that's not the case.
Cooperative Insurance acquired data via freedom of information revealing that more than one million UK passports will expire within six months. The chain says these British people are late to renew their passports. For example, in the US, your passport must remain at least six months before it expires on your trip. It usually takes three weeks for your passport to be renewed by the passport office, so British people are encouraged to renew as soon as possible before traveling this year.
A study commissioned by Cooperative Insurance shows that one in 10 (10%) adults in the UK missed leave because they failed to renew their passport. This includes a quarter (23%) of those under the age of 25. Travel insurance providers will not be able to remove missed flights or holidays if a trip is denied due to a broken passport.
“We're looking forward to seeing you in the process of doing things,” said Ellis German, travel director at Co-op Insurance. “Summer holidays are coming soon, but in the midst of excitement it is important to take the time to check the travel documentation and cover.
“Unfortunately, our research shows that a considerable number of British people have destroyed or cancelled their holidays because they didn't renew their passports before their trip. There is concern that many seem to be late to renew their passports.
“Therefore, it is important to ensure that your passport and travel documents are valid for your trip, and it is also important to have proper coverings in place so you can feel safe knowing that you are fully protected while you are away.”
The Passport Office issued a warning earlier this month, urging passport holders to check their expiration dates and determine if they need to apply for a new one.
Turkey requires travelers to remain in their passports at least 150 days when they arrive in the country, while the United Arab Emirates, home to Dubai, requires their passports more than six months away from their expiration date.
Ma (HM) Passport Office was recently posted on X: “Do some countries require your passport to be valid for several months from the scheduled return date? Check the expiration date of your passport today.”
