Dramatically Sidestep the Passport Price Hike: Renew Before Midnight and Save Substantially –
Passport Fees Increase: Time to Renew?
Effective from midnight on Thursday, April 11th, the cost of an adult passport in the UK will rise by £6, reaching a new price of £88.50 for online applications. This change comes as the government aims to better align passport fees with the actual costs of service delivery, reducing reliance on general taxation.
“The new fees will help ensure that income from these applications better meets the cost of delivering passport and associated operations, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation. The government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications,” stated the government.
Passport Ownership Cost: A Ticking Clock
The average cost of passport ownership is around 2.3 pence per day. For those with passports set to expire by Christmas 2024, and who do not require immediate travel, renewing before the price hike could lead to significant savings.
“Because the cost of passport ownership is around 2.3p per day, travellers whose passports are due to expire by Christmas 2024 – and who do not need the documents for imminent travel – will save if they renew online before midnight,” the article explains.
Timing is Key for Under-16s
The situation is slightly different for under-16s, as their passports have a validity period of only 5 years. With a higher daily ownership cost of just over 3 pence, those with children’s passports set to expire before August 13, 2024, may benefit from renewing before the price rise, as long as no immediate travel is planned.
“For under-16s, the rise is £4 . However, because their passports last only for five years, the cost of ownership is higher – just over 3p per day – and the calculation is different,” the article notes.
Teenagers Nearing 16: Timing Matters
For teenagers approaching their 16th birthday, the best strategy may be to wait and apply for an adult passport. This is because adult passports have a 10-year validity, providing better long-term value.
“However, if a teenager is soon going to turn 16, it will be better to wait in order to benefit from the 10-year validity of an adult passport,” the article advises.
Turnaround Times: Plan Accordingly
According to HM Passport Office, standard online renewals are currently taking an average of 9 days from the time of application. However, the agency warns that the processing time may be longer in certain cases, with the office informing applicants within 3 weeks if additional information or an interview is required.
“You’ll usually get your passport within three weeks. It may take longer than three weeks if we need more information, or we need to interview you. We’ll tell you this within three weeks. There are different turnaround times if you’re applying from another country,” the Passport Office states.
Global Passport Prices: UK in the Middle
In a comparison of the world’s most expensive passports, the UK ranks 12th, with an adult passport costing citizens £192. Australia tops the list, charging the highest amount for its citizens.
“Last year the world’s most expensive passports were revealed, with the UK coming 12th in the world. Australia topped the list of countries charging the most, with an adult passport costing citizens £192,” the article reports.