Holiday-goers are bracing for a significant hike in one particular fee in just a few days, although some will be able to sidestep it.
From Thursday, April 10, passport prices are set to surge by 7%, pushing the standard fee for an online passport application from £88.50 to £94.50. Additionally, several other passport-related charges are due to rise, including the fees for expedited applications for those needing their passports urgently.
The government asserts that this increase will support the Home Office in enhancing its systems to better cater to customer needs without relying heavily on tax funding. It further explains that the augmented fees contribute to the cost of processing passport applications and providing overseas support, such as when a British citizen loses their passport or has it stolen, as well as handling Brits at UK borders.
Full list of passport fee increases
According to GOV.UK, the following fee increases are set to be implemented on April 10:
- Fee for a standard online application when applying from overseas for a UK passport will rise from £101 to £108 for adults and £65.50 to £70 for children
- Postal applications will increase from £100 to £107 for adults and £69 to £74 for children
- Fee for a Premium Service (1 day) application made from within in the UK will rise from £207.50 to £222 for adults and £176.50 to £189 for children
- Overseas standard paper applications will increase from £112.50 to £120.50 for adults and £77 to £82.50 for children
- Fee for a standard online application made from within the UK will rise from £88.50 to £94.50 for adults and £57.50 to £61.50 for children
How to dodge the passport fee increases
Apply early
One straightforward way to dodge the impending higher fees is to capitalise on the current rates and submit your passport application now if it’s due for renewal in the near future. Typically, passports should be renewed every decade unless you possess the older burgundy passport, which can remain valid for an additional nine months past their 10-year expiry date due to a phased-out policy.
This rule only applies to UK passports issued prior to September 2018. Additionally, certain countries have entry requirements stipulating that UK passports must remain valid for a specific number of months beyond the planned departure date.
Free passports for one group
According to official guidelines, British citizens born on or before September 2, 1929, are eligible to renew their passports free of charge. This group can also utilise the Post Office Check and Send service at no cost, along with complimentary secure delivery.
However, it’s worth noting that those eligible for this benefit will still incur a fee if they opt for expedited passport delivery or if they apply for a frequent traveller passport.
