Brits planning holidays abroad are being urged to check their passports and apply for a renewal now ahead of the summer, with wait times currently up to 10 weeks long.
The Home Office has issued a warning for UK travellers, as it anticipates a backlog following the impact of the Covid pandemic and travel restrictions that meant people haven't been able to head abroad in previous years.
In fact, it's estimated that over five million people have delayed their passport applications in 2020 and 2021.
As a result, UK travellers waiting for passports could be left in the process for up to 10 weeks - and if you've got a holiday booked, you don't want to risk being unable to go on your trip because you've left it too late.
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Abi Tierney, Director General of HM Passport Office, said: "Now that international travel has resumed, we know people will be looking at going away on holiday and yet many people are leaving applying for a passport too late.
"The summer holidays are fast approaching so if you need a new passport, we urge you to apply now.
"Our dedicated staff are working tirelessly to ensure that passport applications are processed as quickly as possible."
There are some premium and fast track services in place for people who need a passport urgently, but these appointments have limited availability and high demand.
You can find out more about the application process on gov.uk. The cheapest way to apply is online, although you can also apply via a paper form through the Post Office, for an extra £9.50.
If you are heading on holiday, it's not just about whether your passport will be valid for the dates of your trip.
The majority of countries require your passport to be valid for at least three months following the date you return home, while others require this to be at least six months.
If you do have a holiday planned, it's worth checking the rules for your destination well in advance - you can find this information in the UK Foreign Office's travel advice for your chosen destination.
You'll also need to check the rules for your airline as different companies may have different rules.
To give you a helping hand we've put together a guide to airlines' passport rules including easyJet, TUI, Jet2, British Airways and Ryanair (we've also included a list of popular holiday destinations and their current passport requirements, although you should always check the latest Foreign Office advice for any updates).
As well as passport checks, don't forget to check the latest Covid travel rules for your destination, including Covid test and vaccine requirements.
Of course, you could always keep the Covid admin to a minimum by heading to one of the 14 countries to have axed Covid rules entirely.
Then there's the bonus that the UK's own travel rules having ended, meaning no passenger locator forms or other entry requirements on your return home!
