Summer holiday warning as millions face missing out due to expired passports during lockdown

BRITS may be forced to stay at home this summer holiday after all – because their passports have expired. Millions of passport-holders may find themselves without valid travel documents after the government warned people not to renew theirs unless absolutely essential. The current advice from the government states: “It is taking longer than the usual […]

BRITS may be forced to stay at home this summer holiday after all – because their passports have expired.

Millions of passport-holders may find themselves without valid travel documents after the government warned people not to renew theirs unless absolutely essential.

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Millions are at risk of having expired passports due to lockdown[/caption]

The current advice from the government states: “It is taking longer than the usual three weeks to process applications because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

“Do not apply unless you need a passport urgently for compassionate reasons, for example, if a family member has died, or for government business.”

WIth many families unable to travel since March, this was not a problem for many.

Yet now, as flights restart and countries lower their travel bans, British families may find themselves without a valid passport anymore.

According to the Independent, this could affect millions of potential travellers.

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The government advise passport-holders not to renew them unless it is an emergency[/caption]

Despite this, the longer waiting time and advice remains in place, meaning trips being planned for July and August may be off the cards.

Many countries also require at least six months on passports to be able to travel, meaning validity will need to be until 2021 on some documents.

One woman told the Independent she faces losing £3,500 as her travel insurance won’t cover her flights if she cannot travel due to her passport being out of date.

Passports currently cost £75.50 online, and premium and Fast Track services are temporarily unavailable because of coronavirus.

The government also warns: “Do not book travel until you have a valid passport – doing so is at your own risk. Your new passport will not have the same number as your old one.”

Brits could also be forced to have “immunity passports” to be able to travel this summer.

A Whitehall source told The Sun: “Immunity passports are just one of the policies we are looking at.

“So elements of immunity would come under parts of what the Home Secretary said last week and the policy is still at a very early stage and is being led outside the Home Office.

“We are thinking it will be like when you have yellow fever jabs – that sort of stuff – but we can only do it when the science says it’s right.”