A surprising number of holidays fall apart because of passport issues — expired documents, missing blank pages, or validity rules people didn’t realise existed. Before booking any trip, take a moment to check your passport properly. That means looking not just at the expiry date, but also when it was issued and how many blank pages remain.
Although UK passport renewals are often processed quickly, delays still happen, particularly in busy travel periods. To avoid unnecessary stress, it’s sensible to renew at least three months before you plan to travel.
Passport Validity Rules
Passport rules vary widely between countries, and airlines apply them strictly. Even if your passport appears valid, you can still be refused boarding if it doesn’t meet the destination’s requirements.
For travel to EU and Schengen countries, your passport must be less than ten years old on the day you arrive and valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave. This has caught out many UK travellers, particularly those who renewed their passport before October 2018, as extra time added to older passports can push them over the ten-year limit.
The United States, Australia, Canada and Barbados only require UK passports to be valid for the duration of your stay. In contrast, many destinations in Asia, Africa and the Middle East require at least six months’ validity beyond your intended return date.
Blank Pages and Passport Condition
Passport validity isn’t just about dates. Many countries require at least one completely blank page for entry and exit stamps, and some need two for visas. A damaged passport or one that is almost full can be enough to prevent travel, even if it hasn’t expired. Frequent travellers may want to consider a larger 54-page passport to avoid running out of space.
Because entry rules can change, it’s always sensible to check the UK Foreign Travel Advice website for your destination — it’s updated regularly and includes both entry and visa rules.
Visas and Transit Rules
Having a valid passport is essential, but it’s not the only requirement for international travel. Many countries also require a visa or electronic travel authorisation.
Some destinations allow visas on arrival, while others require applications to be made well in advance. Transit rules are also important. If your journey involves a self-transfer — where you need to collect your baggage and check in again — you’ll usually need to meet the full entry requirements of the transit country.
Even when you are simply changing planes, entry requirements may still apply in some countries, regardless of whether you leave the airport.
If you plan to visit the same country multiple times, it may be worth checking whether a multi-entry or longer-validity visa is more cost-effective than applying for individual trips. We also have a separate guide to visas, which is worth reading alongside this information.
Applying for a Passport
If you need to apply for or renew a passport, the only official place to do so online is the Gov.uk website. Applying online is the cheapest option and is generally quicker than using a paper form via the Post Office, which remains the alternative option.
Standard applications typically take up to three weeks, while Fast Track and Premium services are available for urgent cases at a higher cost. Processing times are targets rather than guarantees, so applying as early as possible is always the safest approach, particularly if you have fixed travel dates.
For frequent travellers who need extra space, a 54-page passport is available for an additional £12.
Passport Fees and Processing Times
| Passport type | Issuance time | Cost online | Cost by post |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | Up to three weeks | £94.50 | £107 |
| Adult Fast-track | One week after appointment | £178 | – |
| Child | Up to three weeks | £61.50 | £74 |
| Child Fast-track | One week after appointment | £145 | – |
Beware of Unofficial Websites
If you search online for passport renewal services, you may come across websites designed to look like official government pages. These sites often charge additional fees to complete forms on your behalf, without speeding up the process, and can add up to £100 to the overall cost.
If you want reassurance that your application has been completed correctly, the Post Office offers a Check & Send service. For a £16 fee, this checks your forms and photos before submission and helps reduce the risk of delays or rejection. The fee is the same for both online and postal applications, meaning the digital option still works out cheaper overall.
Holiday Nerd 