Passport Renewal Day: Act by 9th May 2022 to stop 10-week delays hitting your summer getaway

In preparation for the demand of international travel returning, Halpern conducted FOI research on behalf of Co-op Insurance, which revealed that 4.5 million British holidaymakers – almost 7% of the UK’s total population, could be at risk of having their travel plans grounded, due to not having a valid passport by the time they depart, as a result of the lengthy delays.

 Halpern dubbed Monday 9th May ‘passport renewal day’ for those wanting to head off on July 18, the week many schools in England and Wales start to break up for summer - since the Passport Office has been advising consumers to allow up to 10 weeks when applying for their British passport.

 Co-op said the demand for insurance has doubled in recent months and are urging holiday makers to check their documents now! Graham Ward-Lush, Head of Travel at Co-op Insurance, said: “Many of us won’t have had a proper summer holiday since 2019 and we know that millions of Brits all over the country are eagerly anticipating this year’s getaway, particularly as most travel restrictions have now been lifted. But with many passports having been lying in a drawer for the past two years, we’re urging travellers to check the expiration date on their own passports and also any family member’s today. There can’t be a more heart-breaking scenario than unearthing a passport the night before travel, only to realise that it is out of date. We want to help ensure that people all over the UK manage to have their dream holiday this summer and aren’t stranded at home due to invalid travel documentation!”

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