All British citizens need to take their valid passport with them when traveling abroad, whether they want to see the Great Wall in Beijing, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, or mummies in Egypt. For an international trip, it is very important when the passport expires. Checking the passport’s expiry date before traveling is a bit risky, and if the passport is due to expire soon, it’s likely to affect the travel arrangements. Hurry up now; you may need to renew your passport! In this post, we will bring you information about passport expiration dates and when and how to renew your passport. If you’re interested, check it out.
UK Passport Validity
There are many types of UK passports, and different passports have different validity periods.
A regular UK passport is usually valid for 5 to 10 years. Adult passports are valid for ten years from the date of issue, and children’s passports are valid for 5 years from the date of issue.
It is a very long period of time, but many people who want to travel on a whim often find that their passport has expired. Please note that many countries require a passport to be valid for at least 6 months before you can enter the country, so it is advisable to check your passport expiration date immediately.
Where Is the Expiry Date on a UK Passport
The UK government has released multiple passport versions over time. The newest passport version was introduced in 2020. There are a lot of people who want to know if the location of the expiry date on the UK passport is the same as the new version. Fortunately, the location of the expiry date has not changed.
You can find the expiry date on the first page of your UK passport under the date of issue. Here are some photos of the versions you can have a cross-checking.
Passports introduced in 2015:
Passports introduced in 2015-2016:
Passports introduced in 2020:
Passport Six-Month Rule
Have you ever heard of the six-month rule for a passport? Do you know what this is? Maybe you’re thinking about traveling abroad, but you’re just realizing that your passport will expire in less than six months. Because of this, your trip planning may be in vain.
Most countries require travelers to have at least 6 months remaining in their passport. It is calculated from the day after leaving or arriving in the country. If your passport is less than six months validity, you may not be able to get on the plane or enter the country.
So, why does the six-month rule exist? This is to ensure that the international traveler’s passport does not expire during the trip, allowing the traveler to have a better journey. If your passport expires before the end of your trip, it can cause trouble not only to yourself but also to the immigration officials in other countries.
However, not all countries require a six-month rule. Some countries require 3 months. But this requirement may change depending on where you are traveling and even your nationality. Therefore, it is advisable to renew your passport or check with the embassy or consulate of the country for the relevant requirements before making travel plans.
When to Renew A UK Passport?
Many people don’t know when it’s time to renew their passport. And no one likes to experience the surprise of having their passport expire before traveling. So, how long before your passport expires can you renew it? It becomes a pressing issue.
Actually, you can renew your passport any time before it expires (or even after it expires) as long as you have no travel plans. However, we still recommend that you renew your passport about 9 months prior to its expiry date in case you have sudden travel plans.
This is because for passport renewals, a standard service usually takes about 3 weeks to process and plus the delivery time, you will expect to receive your passport within 4 weeks, and this can give you a lot of time for your subsequent travel plans. If you are taking a premium service, the processing time will be reduced to 1 week, and you can renew your passport in a shorter time before the expiry date.
How to Renew a UK Passport?
No matter if you are inside or outside the UK, you are able to apply for a renewal online. Although the applicant inside the UK has alternatives like using Post Office Digital Check & Send Service, it is suggested that you use an online application. It’s £10.50 cheaper than by post.
1)Go to the gov.uk page
2)Tick the box that you are in the UK or not.
3)Enter your date of birth, for example, 20,01,2004, and click on Continue.
4)Tick the box if you have applied for a UK passport before. If you need to renew your passport, Yes.
5)On the next page, you will be informed of the required documentation and what things you need to do, like a competent digital passport photo, application details, etc. Click on Continue to the next page.
6)After reading each page of photo requirements, keep clicking on Continue to the next pages.
7)You will be asked to get your digital photo. Choose the option that meets your needs.
8)If you choose to download the photo yourself, you will need a competent one.
9)Confirm your photo and submit it.
10)Tick the box if your passport is stolen. Choose according to the situation.
11)Enter the issuance date of your old passport and choose the issued authority.
12)On the next page, you will be informed of the cost and processing time and what things you will do to complete the application, like fill in the further details, pay the fee, and send the old passport to them. Just follow the instructions, and you will be able to renew your passport.
Children’s UK Passport Expiry in Six Months
Children’s passports are generally valid for 5 years, but again, the 6-month rule is also required. Therefore, parents should always check whether the child’s passport has expired. If it’s about to expire, it must be renewed before they travel. At the same time, during the renewal period, do not book a trip because the number on the new passport is different from the old one. Similarly, you can renew your child’s passport online or by post.
📢Read Also: How to Renew a Child’s British Passport?
FAQ
- How long before a UK passport expires can I renew it?
You can renew your UK passport at any time you want, even if it expires. But it is suggested that you apply for a renewal 9 months prior to the expiry date in case you have a sudden trip abroad.
- Can I leave the UK with 3 months on my passport?
Generally speaking, you cannot travel with a passport that expires in less than six months. However, some countries do not follow the 6-month rule, so that means you can travel with 3 months on your passport to a certain country.
- Is an expired passport proof of citizenship?
Yes. An expired passport can also be used as proof of citizenship, no matter how old it is, as long as it is visible. It can also act as proof of your nationality and place of residence. However, it cannot be used as a solid travel document in any case if it expires.
Conclusion
Above is detailed information about the UK passport expiration date and renewal of the UK passport. Hope this article will be helpful for you. Please remember to renew your passport in advance for better traveling. Have a nice trip.
Erin Lo