Passport Renewal while visiting the UK
 

Hi Fellow expats,
Question: My UK passport expires in August 2024. I am going to London next month for a few days R&R. Is it possible (or silly) to get it renewed when there is still over a year before it expires. I know I can do it here in Canada, but the thought of being without it for months, and the anxiety of waiting and worrying, scares me. Does anyone know if it is easy to get it done in the UK while on visit?

Thank you all! :)

Re: Passport Renewal while visiting the UK
 

Hi Amra,

My husband decided to renew his British passport while on one of our trips home in 2016. He booked the earliest morning appointment available on the online booking and off we went to Newport. After our appointment, we were instructed to return 4 hours later. It went fine but it was a long tiring day. And a crappy way to spend my birthday.

In April 2023, I renewed my British passport from Canada. It was two years expired but I still had it back 3 1/2 weeks after I’d couriered my application to the UK.

Hope this helps,

Sarah

Re: Passport Renewal while visiting the UK
 

It used to be possible to get an appointment for a passport renewal but from this link, it looks like it’s now only possible in certain circumstances and I don’t think applying a year before expiry would qualify.

https://www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-ur...-track-service

But it doesn’t takes months usually now - I regularly see comments from people who have received their new passport within 3-4 weeks, sometimes quicker.

In your shoes, and if it’s the only passport you can travel on, I think I’d do the online application about 6 months before expiry.

Re: Passport Renewal while visiting the UK
 

Not likely to be worth it if you’re only going to be in the UK for a few days. Renewing it from Canada six months before it expires was a good suggestion as February is likely to be the quietest time of the year.

Re: Passport Renewal while visiting the UK
 

Hi Sarah,
Thank you for that useful information. I am veering towards doing the renewal from Canada. Will save a day from my precious time in the UK. :)

Re: Passport Renewal while visiting the UK
 

Makes sense. Thanks.

Re: Passport Renewal while visiting the UK
 

I agree. Good sense prevails.:)