UK passport warning as Brits urged renew at Christmas amid three-month rule

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Brits are being urged to renew their passports this Christmas. Two main reasons are being offered - one to do with the three-month rule that many have been caught out by, which we will say more on in a moment.In addition, though, now is a very good time to renew because the queues are shorter.

HM Passport Office highlighted March 17 as the peak day for passport applications last year, with the top five busiest days all falling within the first quarter.On the flip side, Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, and Boxing Day saw the fewest passport renewals, suggesting an ideal window for sorting out travel documents without the rush.

Additionally, post-Brexit adjustments require passports to be valid beyond three months from departure, and a ten-year issuance rule is now enforced—a detail which has tripped up many travellers.Mario Van Poppel, CEO of currency exchange service Leftover Currency, who obtained these insights through a Freedom of Information request, advises holidaymakers to plan ahead to avoid passport expiry panics.

He said: "The thought of booking a trip and then realising your passport has run out is a nightmare for most. But it is something that has caught out many people over the years."With new rules in place, the importance of getting your passport renewal sorted sooner rather than later has never been more important.