THE cost of a new passport is about to go up again next month – the third time in two years.
Thankfully there are a few ways to avoid paying sky-high prices as long as you know how to apply.
The cost of a new passport is going up next month – but there are a few ways to avoid paying too much[/caption]
The government has confirmed that from April 10, the price of all passports applications will go up.
The standard passport will cost seven per cent more, rising from £88.50 to £94.50.
Kids passports are also going up from £57.50 to £61.50.
While it is still a way off from being the most expensive in the world – which includes Australia (£200) and the Turkey (£245) – the UK passport is still one of the more pricier compared to other countries in Europe.
So here are some ways to make sure you aren’t overpaying for your passport in time for your summer holiday.
Avoid paying for passport by post
The cheapest way to get a passport is pay for it with an online application.
However, a number of people still apply for passports by postal application, which costs more.
With the new fees, postal applications are going up to £107 for adults – nearly £15 more than online.
This it the same for kids, with a postal application costing £74 from April 10, nearly £12 extra.
Don’t leave it too late
Before booking your next holiday, make sure to check the start date of your passport first.
Thousands of people have been caught out by new rules that mean their passports have ‘expired’ despite still technically being in date.
Not only that, but some countries require as many as six blank pages to be allowed to enter.
If you find out too late that your passport isn’t valid for either of these reasons, you will have to pay for a Fast Track service, which is extremely expensive.
The new fee from next month for a one day application will cost £222 – more than double the standard fee.
The one day Premium Service for kids will cost £189, which is £115 extra.
Don’t let it expire abroad
If you are a British citizen living abroad, but need a new passport, you will have to pay more too.
Overseas online applications will cost £108 from next month, (£12.50 more expensive than applying in the UK) while postal applications will cost £120.50 (£26 more expensive).
Make sure to apply for your passport when back in the UK instead, to avoid the extra fees.
Passport Rules
Everything you need to know about passports
- Whether you need a passport to fly within the UK
- This is who can countersign a passport application
- How long a child’s first passport can last and cost
- A biometric passport explained
- How to renew a passport
- How to get fast-track passport renewal
- The new blue British passports explained
- Why passports come in four colours
Here are three other passport checks you should make before your holiday.
And here’s the new rules that mean Brits could skip the long passport queues at the airport this summer.
Some of the faster track options cost more than double the standard fee[/caption]
