How Long Does It Take to Get a Passport in UK?

Are you a foreign national and willing to become a British citizen? You need to apply for a British passport first to travel, it is a powerful document that enables unrestricted entry to the United Kingdom and easy travel to various nations with no immigration requirements. It may also be used as proof of identity when applying for benefits, jobs, or proving the right to live in the UK permanently.

Before applying for British citizenship, you should check your home country’s dual citizenship legislation to determine whether you need to file any applications to maintain your birth nationality. In the United Kingdom, dual citizenship is possible.

To apply for a British passport, what documents do I need?

Because you will be required to present your naturalisation certificate, you must apply for a British passport only after filing for British citizenship.

The following are some of the public documents you will need to apply,

• Identification documents to verify your identity
• Your naturalisation certificate, which confirms your status as a British citizen.
• The passport that you used to enter the United Kingdom
• If you apply for your passport online, you will be required to provide additional information, such as a digital photograph.

The documents you’ll need depend on your specific situation. If you have one parent who was born in the United Kingdom, for example, you will need:

• the birth certificate of your father, the marriage certificate of your parents, the passport you used to enter the UK or a foreign passport on which you have featured the birth certificate of your father
• Any documents not in English or Welsh must translate for a fee.
• If the Home Office has any queries for you, you may be requested to attend a short interview. Although this should only take around 30 minutes, you will still have to wait for your passport to arrive.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Passport in Uk?

The average turnaround time for a passport is around five weeks. Still, if you’re applying from the United Kingdom, you should allow 10 weeks, according to the government website (those using from other countries will experience different wait times).

It takes time to apply for permanent residence and then citizenship in the United Kingdom, and getting your first adult British passport is no exception.

According to the gov.UK website, your passport application might take up to 10 weeks to be completed. Other websites suggest 6 weeks. However, if you plan on travelling, it is always best to allow yourself as much time as possible. Because you must provide your current valid travel papers with your application, you must postpone any trip plans until you obtain your new British passport.

If you need to travel immediately, you may be able to get your passport sooner, depending on the circumstances. You may apply for a passport via the Fast Track programme in three weeks for any reason. You will also need to schedule an appointment with your local passport office as part of the procedure.

What is the current passport processing time in the United Kingdom?

Although you should get your British passport within 10 weeks after applying, several customers have reported longer wait times in early 2022. According to the Home Office, it is owing to people forgetting to check their passports throughout the outbreak, during which five million passports expired. Consequently, they believe there is now a backlog of last-minute applications.

It’s unclear how long this hold-up will last, so keep an eye on your passport and get your application in as soon as possible if your renewal date is approaching.

How long does a fast-track passport take to arrive?

Your new passport should arrive in a week if you use the government’s expedited option. The service costs £142 for an adult passport (or £152 for a 50-page frequent traveller passport) and £122 for a child passport (or £132 for a 50-page regular traveller passport). Still, it can only use to renew, change personal information, replace a stolen or lost passport, or obtain a first child passport.

Even if you pay for faster service, you may have to wait longer due to the current backlog. Those wanting to renew passports in recent weeks have had difficulty getting an appointment, so plan if possible.

What are the new criteria for passports?

Since the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union in January 2020, UK passport holders visiting any European Union country (except Ireland), Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, or the Vatican City must ensure that their passport is less than 10 years old on the day of entry and is valid for three months after the trip’s planned end date.

If you plan to travel in the summer of 2022 and return to the UK on July 31, your passport must be valid until October 31, 2022.

How can I guarantee a quick turnaround?

You can take a few things to ensure that your passport application is processed quickly. Keep a lookout for the following:

• Check that the names on your documents and your passport are the same.
• Use your new name if you’ve already changed your name.
• List both your married and maiden names.
• List any previous UK passports you’ve had.
• Prepare as much paperwork as possible to send; it will return to you after processing the application.

Conclusion

As we begin travel after the pandemic, many individuals have turned to applying for a passport. Still, the influx of applications has resulted in a backlog of appointments, with many people having to wait weeks for their new passports in spring 2022.

Furthermore, because of the change in EU regulations, travellers should exercise extra caution before leaving the UK since they will need enough time on their passports to complete their voyage. We’ve covered all you need to know about passport processing times and what to do if you’ve delayed applying until the last minute.