Over 9m UK holidaymakers risk being turned away from flights due to 4 passport issues
A YouGov survey found that a significant proportion of UK adults are unaware of some key passport rules - meaning they could be stopped from travelling this summer
More than nine million Brits could be barred from boarding flights due to four critical passport problems, experts have warned. A recent YouGov poll has shown that an estimated 40 per cent of UK residents lack knowledge about key travel regulations.
The figures imply that up to 9.6 million British holidaymakers might be caught out by passport validity issues, as calculated by GoCompare using projected traveller numbers for 2024. It's vital, according to UK Government advice, to replace passports bearing any signs of damage like rips, tears, holes or water exposure prior to travel.
GOV.UK advises: "If your passport is damaged, you must replace it. You may not be able to travel with it." It highlighting that an unreadable passport, or one with torn pages, detached covers or markings, is not acceptable for use. For those in need of a replacement passport, an online application costs £94.50, whereas the postal form has a fee of £107.
As reported by the Liverpool Echo, results from the YouGov survey of 2,000 people expose that nearly half (45 per cent) of holders of otherwise valid passports do not realise that damage to the document's cover can cause travel difficulties; and astoundingly, 64 per cent of Britons are unaware that unofficial markings such as stamps or stickers might obstruct their airport journey.
Only two-fifths of UK adults (41 per cent) are aware of the fact that a passport error could invalidate their travel insurance. And this could potentially cost them if they're unable to head off due to passport errors.
GoCompare's experts have highlighted key passport rules as well, including the importance of ensuring your passport is valid for your travel's duration and destination. Astonishingly, fewer than half (44 per cent) of UK adults are aware that to enter Europe, passports must be no more than 10 years old at departure, and just 60 per cent know about the three-month validity rule after returning home.
Moreover, only 42 per cent of holidaymakers know passports need six months' validity from entry into countries such as Australia, China, Thailand, UAE, India, and Indonesia. An even lower figure (24 per cent) realise that for New Zealand trips, a passport has to stay valid for three months beyond the intended leave date.
Rhys Jones, travel insurance specialist at GoCompare, commented: "Unfortunately, you likely won't be covered under your travel insurance for any costs incurred from passport problems preventing your departure. That's why it's so important to know the rules for any destination you plan to visit and to check your passport well before you travel.
"You can check passport validity requirements for different countries on the UK government's foreign travel advice page. If you're not sure if your passport will be in date, it's better to be on the safe side and renew it before you attempt to travel."
The number of travellers potentially affected by the passport rule is extrapolated from the percentage of people who were unaware of the rule according to a YouGov survey; this figure is then applied to the predicted total of UK travellers in 2024, assuming the trend continues into 2025. For further details on passport renewal procedures, visit gov.uk/renew-adult-passport.
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