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If you're looking to make a smooth start to your journey, you need to make sure you have the right documents, such as a valid passport and the relevant visas.

To help, we've summarised some of the key considerations and requirements here - but it's not a full list of all possible requirements around the world. It's your responsibility to ensure you have the right documents to be allowed to travel.

Passports and ID cards

To travel on an international flight your passport must:

• Have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter a country . Check the Date of Issue on your passport.
• Be valid for the required time after your planned return date . This is often at least three or six months after the day you plan to leave your destination. Check the Expiry Date on your passport.
• Meet the specific passport validity requirements for your destination . Check the  IATA Travel Centre  for more information.
• Be signed by its owner . Please ensure each passport is signed with the owner's signature. You may be denied entry or fined in some countries for travelling with an unsigned passport. More information is available for UK passport holders at  HM Passport Office .

Children's passports

Children need their own passports to travel internationally, including infants under two. Infant and children's passports are only valid for five years, so please check the expiry date before departure.

EU, EEA or Swiss national ID cards

These are are no longer accepted as valid documentation for entering the UK, unless you’re exempt. Please check the latest  UK Government advice  for more details.

Please note, it’s your responsibility to ensure you have valid documentation when you travel.  If you fail to comply with these requirements, you may not be allowed to travel, or you may be refused entry at your destination and have to pay associated costs.

You do not require a passport to travel within the UK, but you will need to carry one type of photographic ID when travelling with us. Examples include:

• Valid passport
• Valid driving licence, either provisional or full
• Valid EU national identity card
• Valid armed forces identity card
• Valid police warrant card or badge

If you are a citizen of the UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man and were born in these areas, you do not need a passport to travel between these destinations, but you do require some form of photographic identification, such as a driving licence.

All other travellers require a valid passport to travel between these destinations.

Processing times for passports vary but it may take six weeks or longer to receive a passport after applying, so we advise that you wait until your passport has arrived before making a booking. Many countries offer fast-track applications where required.

If you need a passport or need to renew an existing one you can apply directly to your nation’s passport office. In the UK, that’s the UK passport service .

If you’d like help with your application, British Airways has partnered with VisaCentral, a company that will do all of the hard work for you. VisaCentral can help with passport renewals and replacements, name changes, second passports and new passports for children. Plus, as a British Airways customer you’ll get a 30% discount on the service fees.

Get a passport through VisaCentral

If there is a place on your passport for you to sign, please sign your passport with your signature.  Your passport is not valid until it is signed . For British passports, you can learn more from  HM Passport Office .

Visas and other travel documentation

How to check if you need a visa

Depending on your nationality and the purpose of your journey, you may need a visa, or an equivalent form of authorisation, for every country you enter as part of your journey — even if you are only in transit or connecting from one flight to another in the airport of that country without going through border control — known as a transit visa.

This is in addition to a valid passport.

There are several ways you can check if you need a visa:

Check if you need a visa via the IATA Travel Centre  - it's free to check and also includes passport and health requirements, as well as customs, currency and airport information.

If you need a visa, our partner VisaCentral can help  - it's free to check and they’ll tell you exactly what documents you need to get one. Plus, as a British Airways customer, you’ll get a 30% discount on VisaCentral service fees should you need help with an application.

Check if you need a transit visa to connect through the UK  - even if you’re only connecting from one flight to another, you may need a transit visa, such as a Direct Airside Transit (DATV) visa or a Visitor in Transit visa, to connect through the UK.

Check if you need a visa via the Sherpa online search tool below .  Sherpa can also help obtain many e-visas, and advise of other possible information you may need for your travels.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

An ETA will soon be required for people travelling to the UK who do not need a visa, including children and babies. It will be electronically linked to your passport and will give you permission:

• To visit the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or to study.
• To visit the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession .
• To transit through the UK – including if you’re not going through the UK border control.

An ETA will be required from 15 November 2023 when travelling from certain countries, with more being added to the scheme over time. Please check if you require an ETA .

Read further information and apply for an ETA  or watch more about ETA .

The information provided on this page is for information purposes only and could be subject to change at very short notice. It is your responsibility to check and observe all the health and entry requirements applicable to your journey and you should always check the latest travel guidance from your government before you travel and the guidance provided by the relevant public authorities of your destination. Failure to meet applicable requirements means that British Airways will not be able to carry you, and compensation and care and assistance provisions will not apply. Please note that Sherpa is a third party service provider that may apply fees for such services.

Entry requirements and other travel documents

If you're a citizen of a country covered by the Visa Waiver Programme (such as the UK) you are able to travel to the USA with an Electronic System Travel Authorisation (ESTA) instead of a visa.

Make sure you apply for your ESTA at least 72 hours before your departure .You may not be allowed to travel if you arrive at the airport without an ESTA.

You will need a valid e-Passport to use ESTA. These have a microchip symbol on their front cover. ESTAs are valid for multiple journeys for up to two years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner.

Apply for an ESTA

More about the Visa Waiver Program and ESTAs

When you need a visa

You will need to apply for a visa to travel to the United States and should contact your local US Embassy in the following circumstances:

• If you are a citizen of a country not covered by the Visa Waiver Programme.
• If you have dual nationality with one passport being issued by a country eligible under the Visa Waiver Programme and the other issued by Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria.
• If you have an ESTA and have visited Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria since 1 March 2011.

Help with your ESTA application

Our partner VisaCentral can take the hard work out of applying, and offers a safe, secure and easy way to obtain your ESTA. Benefits of using its service include:

• Specialist support – access to a visa specialist via phone or email if you have questions regarding your application.
• Automated monitoring - applications not instantly approved automatically get resubmitted or assigned to a visa specialist for review; there’s no need to re-apply.
• Discounted rate – get a 30% discount on VisaCentral's handling fees as a British Airways customer.

Get an ESTA through VisaCentral

Many visitors need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization to travel to Canada. You can check Canada’s entry requirements before flying.

Alternatively, our partner VisaCentral can quickly, securely and easily obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization for you.

Get an eTA through VisaCentral

If you're travelling to China, you'll need to check what type of visa you require. Transit visas are available if you are staying for less than 144 hours.

If you have a British passport, the GOV.UK website shows what types of are available when travelling to or through China.

Find out more about visa requirements for China  (British passport holders only)

If you have a passport from any other country, please ensure you check with your nearest Chinese Embassy .

Alternatively, our partner VisaCentral can quickly, securely and easily obtain a Visa for you.

Get a visa through VisaCentral

If you are travelling to India, you may be able to obtain an eTourist Visa online, just four days before you travel. The visa will be valid for 60 days and you will need to present a printed copy when you check in to be able to travel.

Find out more and apply for India e-Tourist Visa

Alternatively, our partner VisaCentral can quickly, securely and easily obtain an eTourist Visa for you.

While we make every effort to keep this information up to date, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) visa restrictions can change at short notice. Please  check the IATA Travel Centre  before you book.

If you are a pilgrim

If you are a Hajj or Umrah pilgrim, you must enter KSA through Jeddah with a valid Hajj or Umrah visa. Travel must be between the official pilgrimage travel dates.

You cannot:

• travel for Hajj using an Umrah visa
• travel for Umrah using a Hajj visa
• enter, transfer or transit through Riyadh
• travel outside of the official pilgrimage dates determined by the Saudi authorities each year

If you are travelling from the UK, we recommend to book through our specialist partner Masterfare who can arrange your flight and Hajj/Umrah visa through a KSA Ministry of Hajj approved agent.

If you are travelling from another country, or you book on ba.com, it is your responsibility to ensure you get the correct pilgrimage visa from a KSA Ministry of Hajj-approved Hajj or Umrah agent.

If you do not have the correct documentation, or have booked to travel outside the official pilgrimage dates, you will not be allowed to travel or be able to get a refund.

Non-pilgrim visitors

If you are not Muslim, you can enter Jeddah or Riyadh at any time using a business or visit visa.

If you are Muslim, are using a business or visit visa during Hajj, or are travelling in the 6-week period up to and including Hajj, you must enter KSA through Riyadh.

If you are Muslim with a business or visit visa, you will need a Hajj visa to travel during the official pilgramage travel dates.

These restrictions do not apply to residents or citizens of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

KSA visa restrictions change at short notice. Please check the IATA Travel Centre before you book.

Some countries' immigration departments require additional documentation for all children under 18 years travelling into, out of or transiting their country. This varies depending on the country so please check before you travel on the IATA Travel Centre. Just make sure you use the date of birth of your child to receive the correct information.

South Africa requirements

If you need a visa for your journey, you can apply directly with the embassy or high commission of the country you want to travel to — visit their website or local consulate to learn more about the process.

Alternatively, our partner VisaCentral can do all of the hard work for you:

• it's a safe, secure and easy way to obtain your visa
• it can help save time — VisaCentral will stand in line at the embassy or consulate on your behalf
• you'll get a 30% discount on handling fees as a British Airways customer

Advance Passenger Information (API)

Many countries require us to collect some passport and travel information about who's flying into their country. The information you provide is sent securely to the necessary government authorities.

You will need to supply some or all of the following details:

• your full name (as it appears on your passport)
• your date of birth
• your gender
• your nationality
• your passport number
• your passport expiry date
• the country that issued your passport
• your country of residence.

Additionally, when travelling to the US, you will need to provide:

• the destination address of your first night’s stay
• Alien Registration Number (Green Card) for those who have US residency
• Traveler Redress Number   if you have one (this enables travellers who have experienced problems entering the US to avoid future difficulties).

If you're a US citizen and have a 'Global Entry' number, you don't need to provide this as part of your API. When you arrive in the US your Global Entry status will be recognised when you use the dedicated Immigration kiosk.

Some governments require us to provide them with information from flight bookings, which will contain additional passenger details to those listed above.

You can add Advance Passenger Information to your booking on ba.com using   Manage My Booking . If there is any information you need to provide, you'll see a red exclamation mark against the passenger information section at the top of the page.

Add Advance Passenger Information

Legal statement for US flights

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the US Department of Homeland Security requires us to collect information from you for purposes of watch list screening, under the authority of 49 U.S.C. section 114, and the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. Providing this information is voluntary; however, if you don't provide it, you may be subject to additional screening or denied transport or authorisation to enter the post-security area. TSA may share information you provide with law enforcement or intelligence agencies or others under its published system of records notice. For more on TSA Privacy policies, or to view the system of records notice and the privacy impact assessment, visit   tsa.gov .

Travel schemes

If you are a national of one of the below countries you can join the 'Registered Traveller' scheme and enjoy faster entry to the UK, as long as you have a biometric passport.

When you apply, the UK Border Force carries out checks to see if you are eligible to join. If accepted, you won't need to fill out a landing card for the UK. You'll be able to enter the UK at the ePassport gates or the UK/EU lanes at several UK airports, including all London airports, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester.

Find out more or apply for the Registered Traveller scheme

UK citizens can get through US passport control faster by joining Global Entry, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) programme. The scheme allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers arriving in the United States. Benefits include:

• no processing queues
• no requirement to complete a paper customs declaration form
• reduced waiting times
• TSA Pre✓® Eligibility (faster, more efficient security screening at participating US airports).

Membership lasts for five years and the application process includes background checks (at a non-refundable cost of £42 payable to the UK government), online enrolment with the US Customs and Border Protection Agency (at a non-refundable cost of USD100) and attendance at a face to face interview at an official enrolment centre.

More about Global Entry and FAQs

Apply for Global Entry

We participate in the TSA Pre✓ ® programme for customers with a Known Traveller Number (KTN) departing from US airports. TSA Pre✓ ® is a faster, easier security screening process at US airports. Once enrolled, you will be able to speed through security without removing shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets.

Who is eligible?

• Members of the Global Entry scheme.
• US citizens and US lawful permanent residents enrolled in TSA Pre✓ ® , NEXUS or SENTRI. 
• Canadian citizens who are members of NEXUS. 

Enter your Global Entry, TSA Pre✓®, NEXUS or SENTRI membership number (your KTN) into your booking each time you travel to demonstrate your eligibility. You can add your KTN during online check-in via   Manage My Booking   on ba.com, at an airport desk or by   contacting us .

Even if you are eligible for TSA Pre✓ ® as a member of a trusted traveller programme, TSA Pre✓ ® does not guarantee expedited screening.

Find out more and enrol

Find out where TSA Pre✓ ® is available  

Where a TSA Pre✓ ® lane is not available, you can show your TSA Pre✓ ® boarding pass and may receive a form of expedited screening in a standard lane.

You can now submit an electronic arrival card via the Web Service and Mobile App before you arrive in Singapore. You will then be able to head directly to immigration clearance, allowing you to avoid unnecessary delays and save time at the airport.

COVID-19 information

Keeping our customers and colleagues safe at all times is always our number one priority. During the pandemic we introduced new measures including the need to wear face coverings.

Customers are no longer required to wear a mask at airports in England, however, as an international airline flying all around the world, we are obliged to ensure our customers continue to comply with local restrictions and meet the requirements of the destination they arrive at.

Therefore, we ask you to check the requirements of the destination you’re flying to before departing for the airport, because:

• If you are travelling on our flights, you will be required to wear a mask on board if the destination you are flying to or from requires you to.
• If you are travelling on our flights, you will be required to wear a mask to disembark the aircraft, and at your arrival airport, if the destination you are flying to requires it.

Countries requiring masks

You will need to wear a mask if you are travelling to or from the below destinations. Please also be aware that some countries require a specific type of mask, as indicated.

If your destination is not listed below, then you are not required to wear a mask. However, if you still wish to wear a mask you’re able to make a personal choice and we kindly request everyone to respect each other’s preferences.

Please note, if your flight is due to be operated by another airline on behalf of British Airways, you may still be required to wear a mask for your flights regardless of your destination. We advise that you bring your own mask with you if flying with a partner airline to ensure you meet any requirements.

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Update April 12, 2024

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The U.S. passport card is a wallet-sized, plastic passport that has no visa pages. The card is proof of U.S. citizenship and identity, and has the same length of validity as the passport book.  

The card is for U.S. citizens who travel by land and sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and Caribbean countries.

The card is not valid for international travel by air and is cheaper than the passport book.

You can apply for either the book or card, or both documents.  

Steps to Apply for a Card

• Applying for the first time:  Apply in Person page .
• Applying for your child: Children Under 16 page .
• Renewing as an adult:   Renew by Mail page .  
• Change your name or correct an error on the document.  

We use the same forms for both passport books and cards. The first step on our forms is to select if you want a passport book, passport card, or both documents. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i apply for the passport card and passport book using the same application.

Yes. You can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same time using the same application. When completing your form, let us know if you would like to apply for one or both documents. 

If you're renewing both your passport book and passport card, you must provide both documents. If you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot renew the passport card using Form DS-82.

Can I get a passport card if I already have a passport book?

Yes. If you already have a passport book and   you are eligible to use Form DS-82, you may apply for a passport card by mail as a "renewal" even if it is your first passport card.

You can do the same and apply for your first passport book by mail as a "renewal" if you already have a passport card.

May I use a passport card to fly?

You cannot use the passport card to fly to or from a foreign country.

The Transportation Security Administration accepts the passport card as ID for domestic flights in the United States.

The passport card is for U.S. citizens who live in northern and southern border communities and cross the border by land.

Use the passport book for international air travel.

Can I use my passport card at Ready Lanes?

Yes. You can save time at the U.S.-Mexico border by using Ready Lanes that read the U.S. passport card’s Radio Frequency Identification technology. Find a complete list of documents accepted at Ready Lanes. 

I don't have any citizenship evidence or photo ID to apply. How can I get these documents?

Go to our Citizenship Evidence page and Photo ID page for examples of documents we accept.

Don't have a birth certificate?

If you were born in the United States, contact the county, city, or state where you were born and ask for a certified copy of your birth certificate. A certified copy has the seal or stamp of the official issuing authority.

If you were born outside the United States, follow the tips on the Citizenship Evidence page. 

Don't have a driver's license?

We accept other types of government-issued, primary photo ID. We will accept secondary photo ID if you do not have a primary ID. 

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Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

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Everything you need to know about travel to Europe after Brexit

Do you need a visa to travel to the EU after Brexit? Here’s how the rules are looking in 2024

Way back in 2020, the UK left the EU and Brexit took effect. Since then, a hell of a lot has changed about how we travel. There’s now plenty of extra stuff to think about when planning a trip overseas to Europe (especially if it’s for longer periods). So, we ’ve rounded up all the changes to the rules that we’ll have to follow, now that we’re no longer EU citizens. Here is everything you need to know.

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You should probably check your passport

Up until January 2021, all UK citizens with a valid passport were able to travel freely throughout Europe. Now, though, you may need to renew your passport much earlier than you might think. On the day you travel, your passport must have at least six months left before it expires, or you might not be able to travel to any EU countries, or the EEA states of Iceland , Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland . (The old rules still apply for travel to Ireland.)

You can check if you need to renew your passport before travelling using this tool from the British government, and you can apply for a new one here . Make sure you renew it at least a couple of months before you’re planning to travel, as it may take several weeks to process applications in busy times (including right now).

You can no longer apply for an EHIC

Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will remain valid until its expiry date, but you can no longer apply for a new one. In 2021, the UK government launched a replacement scheme, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) , which will entitle you to necessary state healthcare for free or at reduced cost in Europe and other countries with reciprocal arrangements such as Australia and New Zealand . You can apply for one on the official GHIC website .

Free mobile roaming is a thing of the past

The guarantee of free mobile roaming throughout the EU, the Schengen area and the Norway, Iceland and Liechenstein, came to an end on December 31, 2020. It ’s best to c heck with your phone operator to find out about any charges you may incur in the country you’re travelling to.

Border checks may feel a little different

At border control, you will now need to use separate lanes from EU citizens when queuing. Officials may also be more inquisitive than before, asking you to provide a return or onward ticket and prove that you have enough money for the length of your initial stay.

Your driving licence will still be valid – but you’ll need a ‘green card’ proving you have insurance too

Despite reports British drivers would soon have to apply for an ‘international driving permit’ before travelling to the Continent, according to the terms of the Brexit deal, UK licences will still be valid within the EU.

According to this advice by the Foreign Office , you do not need a ‘green card’ (proving you have car insurance cover when driving abroad) when driving in the EU. However, countries where they do apply include Albania, Azerbijan, Moldova, Türkiye and Ukraine. 

Visas are now required for longer stays

If you’re a tourist, you won’t need a visa for short trips to most EU and EEA countries. You will be able to stay for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. To stay for longer than 90 days, or if you ’re working,  you will have to get a visa or travel permit.

The EU has set up this short-term stay visa calculator to help travellers calculate how much longer they can stay in Europe. Visit the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s ‘travel advice’ pages  to find out the application process for each country.

The rules for Bulgaria, Croatia , Cyprus and Romania will be different (this is because they aren ’t in the Schengen area ): visits to those four countries will not count towards the 90-day total. 

These arrangements are up to date as of January 2024. They may change, so check back soon for the latest updates on travel to Europe.

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With PassportCard there is no out out-of-pocket expenses, no paperwork and no long claiming processes. We are the first travel insurance company in the world to offers payouts in real time. When emergency strikes, PassportCard is there to cover it immediately.

PassportCard has gained a leading position in the expat health and insurance fields. Our customers have instant access to healthcare services across the globe. There’s no need for traditional claim forms, approvals or reimbursements.

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If a customer needs a doctor abroad all they have to do is call the number on the back of their PassportCard. Our system will instantly calculate the costs and put that money straight onto their PassportCard. They then just use the card like a normal debit card. No paying out of their own pockets. It’s stress-free and easy, just how it should be.

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PassportCard is the only travel insurer to settle claims in real time; literally within minutes. Say you have a high fever and you need medical help abroad – just call and we pay. No long claims process, no paperwork and no follow-ups. It’s that simple!

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PassportCard trusts our customers and our customers trust us. We payout instantly and don’t second-guess medical claims. If our customers need us then we are there for them. That’s all there is to it.

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German Innovation Award 2021

Specialist Service Provider of the Year

The Best Marketing Campaign of the Year

The Most Innovative Emerging Company

General Catalyst Award for Travel Innovation

MEDICI TOP 21

Top 7 InsurTech Startup in The EMEA

The Paybefore Award for Advanced Prepaid Solutions

Innovation in Global Mobility

The people behind PassportCard

Ronit Segal - CEO of Israel Region

Previously VP Operations Set-up, leading establishmnet of activities in Australia and Germany.

with a 360 degrees thinking, complex processes is where she is like a duck to water

Alon Ketzef - Founder & President

Previously: founder of Davidshield (today merged with PCG), former VP Sales and Marketing at Israel National HMO.

a visionary, a romantic and an executor. Where no mountain is high enough and no river is wide enough...

Ran Mizrahi - Chief Insurance Officer

Former VP Underwriting and Claims at PCG. Former VP Customer Support at PCG.

a standup comedian at heart that does insurance as a day job

Eithan Wolf - CEO EU Region

Man on the ground in the establishment of the activity in Germany. Former Deputy CEO Israel Region.

Where Leadership & style never go out of fashion

Shefer Abelson - Chief Product Technology

Previously CEO of Crusoe Cyber Security and CIO of Hachshara Insurance.

Managing complex technology challenges with the calmness of a scuba diver.

Daphna Shapiro Goldberg - Chief Data Analysis

Chief Data Analysis and Chief Pricing Officer, Previously: Team Leader - Healthcare and Group Benefit at Mercer.

a mathematician, a physicist, a marine biologies, of which numbers are her mother tongue

Yaron Herling - VP Strategy Implementation

Former PMO of Israel activity. Previously: PMO at IDIT division at SAPIENS.

where process and meticulous planning are a way of life

Eyal Ben-Chlouche - Chairman of the Board

Former Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Israel.

a rationalistic finance professional whose true passion is winemaking

Peter Klemt - CEO APAC Region

GM Brokers & Strategy at Unimutual Insurance, previously GM Business Developemnt at QBE Australia

waiting (for skies to open)...

Ilana Bar - International General Counsel

Partner at Kennedys Law, Previously General COunsel at Migdal Insurance

friendly despite her career choice, a master of intricate reulatory law

Shahar Shabo - Chief Financial Officer

Former SVP Strategy Implementation at PCG.

top down or bottom up - a laser beam on the meeting point of business and numbers

Leor Catalan - CEO of Corporate Ventures

In charge of go-to-market activities: PassportCard Nomads. TravelCard Australia, CEO Robin. Former CEO of APAC Region.

an architect in spirit, a forward thinker, a designer, a builder, a leader

White Mountains - shareholder

White Mountains Insurance Group is a Bermuda-based financial services holding company. It’s traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Bermuda Stock Exchange under the symbol WTM. If you’d like to find out any more information about White Mountains, head to the company's website at http://www.whitemountains.com .

DavidShield - Shareholder

The DavidShield group has been leading the way in smart health insurance, by developing high-end technological solutions and innovative customer-oriented services. The group has a strong worldwide presence, with operations in over 100 countries, offices in Europe, the US, the Middle East and Australia, and R&D labs in Zurich and Tel Aviv.

Get In Touch

United kingdom.

Catalyst House, 720 Centennial Ave, Elstree, Borehamwood WD6 3SY London, UK

8A Hazoran Street, Netanya, Israel 42504

Caffamacherreihe 8, 20355 Hamburg, Deutschland

7 Florinis Street Greg Tower, 6th Floor, 1065 Nicosia, Cyprus.

Level 11, 5 Blue Street North Sydney, 2060 NSW

PassportCard is a member of White Mountains and Davidshield group

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• Travel Money

A safe-to-use, prepaid, reloadable, multi-currency card that’s not linked to your bank account

No charges when you spend abroad*

Make contactless, Apple Pay and Google Pay™ payments

Manage your account and top up or freeze your card easily with our Travel app

*No charges when you spend abroad using an available balance of a local currency supported by the card.

Win £5000 with Post Office Travel Money Card

A chance to win £5000 when you top up a new or existing Travel Money Card*. Offer ends 12 May

*Exclusive to travel money cards. Promotion runs 4 March to 12 May 2024. 1 x £5,000 prize available to be won each week. Minimum equivalent spend of £50 applies.

Why get a Travel Money Card?

Carry up to 22 currencies safely.

Take one secure, prepaid Mastercard® away with you that holds multiple currencies (see ‘common questions’ for which).

Accepted in over 36 million locations worldwide

Use it wherever you see the Mastercard Acceptance Mark – millions of shops, restaurants and bars in more than 200 countries.

Manage your card with our travel app

Top up, manage or freeze your card, transfer funds between currencies, view your PIN and more all in our free Travel app .

It’s simple to get started

No need to carry lots of cash abroad. Order a Travel Money Card today for smart, secure holiday spending.

Order your card

Order online, via the app or pick one up in branch and load it with any of the 22 currencies it holds.

Activate it

Cards ordered online and in-app should arrive within 2-3 working days. Activate it by following the instructions in your welcome letter.

It’s ready to use

Spend in 36 million locations worldwide, and top up and manage your card in the app or online.

Stay in control

Manage your holiday essentials together in one place on the move, from your Travel Money Card and travel insurance to extras like airport parking.

New-look travel app out now

Our revamped travel app’s out now. It makes buying, topping up and managing Travel Money Cards with up to 22 currencies a breeze. Buying and accessing Travel Insurance on the move effortless. And it puts holiday extras like airport hotels, lounge access and more at your fingertips. All with an improved user experience. Find out what’s changed .

Order a Travel Money Card

Order your card online – or through the Post Office travel app – and we'll deliver it within 2-3 days. Just activate it and go.

Need it quick? Visit a branch

Pick up a Travel Money Card instantly at your local Post Office. Bring a valid passport, UK driving licence or valid EEA card as ID. 

Need some help?

We’re here to help you make the most of your Travel Money Card – or put your mind at ease if it’s been lost or stolen

Lost or stolen card?

Please immediately call: 020 7937 0280

Available 24/7

To read our FAQs, manage your card or contact us about using it:

Visit our Travel Money Card support page

Common questions

How can i order my card.

There are three ways that you able to obtain a Travel Money Card, each very simple.

Please note, you must be a UK resident over the age of 18 to obtain a Travel Monday Card.

• Via our travel app: you can order and store up to three Travel Money Cards in our free travel app . Delivery will take 2-3 working days.
• Online: follow our application process  to order your card online. Your card will take 2-3 working days to be delivered. Once it arrives you can link it to our Travel app to manage on the go. 
• In branch: simply find a nearby Post Office branch and pop in to get your Travel Money Card there. Please remember to take a valid passport, UK driving licence or a valid EEA card in order to obtain your card, and you can take it away the same day.

Whichever way you choose to order your card, don't forget to activate it once it arrives. Full details of how to activate your card will be provided in your welcome letter, to which your card will be attached if it’s been sent in the post.

How do I use my card?

Travel Money Card is enabled with both chip & PIN and contactless, so you can make larger and lower-value value payments with it respectively. For convenience, you can also add it to Apple Pay and Google Wallet.

You can load it with between £50 and £5,000 (see more on load limits below). You can use it to pay wherever the Mastercard Acceptance Mark is displayed. And you can withdraw cash with it at over 2 million ATMs worldwide (charges and fees apply, see 'Are there top-up limits?' below).

Your Travel Money Card is completely separate from your bank account so it’s a safe and secure way to pay while you’re abroad.

How can I manage my card?

After you've activated your card, you can manage it using our travel app or via a web browser. You can check your recent transactions, view your PIN, transfer funds between different currency ‘wallets’, top up your card, freeze your card and more.

Our travel app brings together travel essentials including holiday money, travel insurance and more together in one place. As well as managing your Travel Money Card you can buy cover for your trip, access your policy documents on the move, book extras such as airport parking and hotels, and find your nearest ATM while overseas or Post Office branches here in the UK.

Which currencies can I use?

The Post Office Travel Money Card can be loaded with up to 22 currencies at any one time. You can top up funds on the card and transfer currencies between different ‘wallets’ for these currencies easily in our travel app or online.

Currencies available:

• EUR – euro
• USD – US dollar
• AUD – Australian dollar
• AED - UAE dirham
• CAD – Canadian dollar
• CHF – Swiss franc
• CNY – Chinese yuan
• CZK – Czech koruna
• DKK – Danish krone
• GBP – pound sterling
• HKD – Hong Kong dollar
• HUF – Hungarian forint
• JPY – Japanese yen
• NOK – Norwegian krone
• NZD – New Zealand dollar
• PLN – Polish zloty
• SAR – Saudi riyal
• SEK – Swedish Krona
• SGD – Singapore dollar
• THB – Thai baht
• TRY – Turkish lira
• ZAR – South African rand

What are the charges and fees?

Full details of our charges and fees can be found in our   Travel Money Card terms and conditions .

The Post Office Travel Money Card is intended for use in the countries where the national currency is the same as the currencies on your card. If the currency falls outside of any of the 22 we offer on your card, you’ll be charged a cross-border fee. For example, using your card in Brazil will incur a cross-border fee because we do not offer the Brazilian real as a currency. 

Cross border fees are set at 3% and are only applicable when you use your currency in a country other than the ones we offer. 

For more information on cross border fees, please visit our cross border payment page.

There are no charges when using your card in retailers in the country of the currency on the card. This means that a €20 purchase in Spain would cost you €20 and will be deducted from your euro balance. 

To avoid unnecessary charges to your card, wherever asked, you should always choose to pay for goods or withdraw cash in the currencies of your card. For example, if you are using the card in Spain you should always choose to pay in euro if offered a choice; choosing to pay in sterling (GBP) in this example would allow the merchant to exchange your transaction from euro to sterling. This would mean your transaction has gone through two exchange rate conversions, which will increase the total cost of your transaction. 

For loads in Great British pounds, a load commission fee of 1.5% will apply (min £3, max £50). A monthly maintenance fee of £2 will be deducted from your balance 12 months after your card expires. Expiration dates can be found on your TMC; all cards are valid for up to 3 years. 

A cash withdrawal fee will be charged when withdrawing cash from a UK Post Office branch or from any ATM globally that accepts Mastercard.  

We have listed all available currencies and their associated withdrawal limits and charges below: 

EUR – euro Max daily cash withdrawal: 450 EUR Withdrawal charge: 2 EUR

USD – US dollar Max daily cash withdrawal: 500 USD Withdrawal charge: 2.5 USD

AED – UAE dirham Max daily cash withdrawal: 1,700 AED Withdrawal charge: 8.5 AED

AUD – Australian dollar Max daily cash withdrawal: 700 AUD Withdrawal charge: 3 AUD

CAD – Canadian dollar Max daily cash withdrawal: 600 CAD Withdrawal charge: 3 CAD

CHF – Swiss franc Max daily cash withdrawal: 500 CHF Withdrawal charge: 2.5 CHF

CNY – Chinese yuan Max daily cash withdrawal: 2,500 CNY Withdrawal charge: 15 CNY

CZK – Czech koruna Max daily cash withdrawal: 9,000 CZK Withdrawal charge: 50 CZK

DKK – Danish krone Max daily cash withdrawal: 2,500 DKK Withdrawal charge: 12.50 DKK

GBP – Great British pound Max daily cash withdrawal: 300 GBP Withdrawal charge: 1.5 GBP

HKD – Hong Kong dollar Max daily cash withdrawal: 3,000 HKD Withdrawal charge: 15 HKD

HUF – Hungarian forint Max daily cash withdrawal: 110,000 HUF Withdrawal charge: 600 HUF

JPY – Japanese yen Max daily cash withdrawal: 40,000 JPY Withdrawal charge: 200 JPY

NOK – Norwegian krone Max daily cash withdrawal: 3,250 NOK Withdrawal charge: 20 NOK

NZD – New Zealand dollar Max daily cash withdrawal: 750 NZD Withdrawal charge: 3.5 NZD

PLN – Polish zloty Max daily cash withdrawal: 1,700 PLN Withdrawal charge: 8.5 PLN

SAR – Saudi riyal Max daily cash withdrawal: 1,500 SAR Withdrawal charge: 7.50 SAR

SEK – Swedish Krona Max daily cash withdrawal: 3,500 SEK Withdrawal charge: 20 SEK

SGD – Singapore dollar Max daily cash withdrawal: 500 SGD Withdrawal charge: 3 SGD

THB – Thai baht Max daily cash withdrawal: 17,000 THB Withdrawal charge: 80 THB

TRY – Turkish lira Max daily cash withdrawal: 1,500 TRY Withdrawal charge: 7 TRY

ZAR – South African rand Max daily cash withdrawal: 6,500 ZAR Withdrawal charge: 30 ZAR

Are there top-up limits?

Yes, all currencies have top-up limits and balances. See full information below, which is applicable to all currencies available on the Travel Money Card.

• Top-up limit: minimum £50 – maximum £5,000
• Maximum balance: £10,000 at any time, with a maximum annual balance of £30,000
• Read more Travel Money Card FAQs

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Find out more information by reading the  Post Office Travel Money Card's terms and conditions .

Post Office Travel Money Card is an electronic money product issued by First Rate Exchange Services Ltd pursuant to license by Mastercard International. First Rate Exchange Services Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales with number 4287490 whose registered office is Great West House, Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9DF, (Financial Services Register No. 900412). Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Post Office and the Post Office logo are registered trademarks of Post Office Limited.

Post Office Limited is registered in England and Wales. Registered number 2154540. Registered office: 100 Wood Street, London, EC2V 7ER. 

These details can be checked on the Financial Services Register by visiting the  Financial Conduct Authority website  and searching by Firm Reference Number (FRN).

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Passport Book vs. Card: 4 Key Differences

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Table of Contents

About the passport book

About the passport card, how a passport book and passport card differ, when to get both, if you're choosing between the passport card and passport book.

For international travel, the U.S. Department of State issues two types of official government documents: the passport book and the passport card.

The main difference between a passport card and book boils down to where you can use them, what methods of transit are eligible and the cost.

It’s important to learn the difference between the two so you can choose more confidently if one (or both) are right for you.

A passport book is a small booklet available to U.S. citizens and non-citizen nationals that can be used for international travel by air, sea or land. For travelers age 16 or older at the date of issue, the books are valid for 10 years. Younger travelers are given passports that are valid for five years.

Each passport book is assigned a unique number. The first page of a passport contains your photo and personal information, including your full name, nationality, date of birth, place of birth, sex, the passport issue date and passport expiration date. The rest of the book is filled with blank pages for immigration stamps and visas. Depending on the country you’re visiting, you might be required to have two to four blank visa pages.

The standard passport book is 28 pages; however, you can request a 52-page book if you anticipate frequent international travel.

Since 2007, only electronic passports have been issued. These books contain an electronic chip that stores the information on the first page, a biometric identifier of your passport photo, a chip identification number and a digital signature.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

The passport card is also available to U.S. citizens and non-citizen nationals, but can only be used for foreign border entry by land and sea — and only in specific places. Regardless of the country you’re visiting, it’s not an accepted form of ID for international air travel. Passport cards are valid for the same durations as passport books.

The passport card fits a standard wallet card slot and contains your photo, full name, nationality, date of birth, place of birth, issue and expiration dates, plus your unique passport card number.

The card also has built-in Radio Frequency Identification which can be used in Ready Lanes at Canadian and Mexican land borders for faster entry.

» Learn more: How to save on road trips

1. Border entry method

The biggest difference between a passport book and passport card is the methods of travel that are eligible. While passport books can be used for all entry methods into an international country — whether air, land or sea — passport cards are limited to travel through land and sea borders only.

» Learn more: TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry: Which is right for you?

2. Travel destination

Another difference between a passport book and passport card is which countries each can be used to enter.

There are no limitations for destinations where you can use your passport book. Passport cards, however, can only be used going through a land border or seaport in Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. For example, if you’re planning a Mediterranean cruise, you’ll need to use a passport book. The card isn’t valid for seaport entry in Europe.

» Learn more: The complete guide to a U.S.-Canada border crossing

3. Format and size

Passport books and passport cards have physical differences. Passport books are 3.5-by-5-inch booklets with blank pages for foreign immigration stamps and visas. Although they’re pocket-sized, passport books are bulkier than passport cards, which are the size of a credit card or driver’s license.

» Learn more: How to get your first passport

Passport books are more expensive than cards. Regardless of document type, all first-time applicants must pay a $35 acceptance fee, which is included in the price.

Passport books for first-time applicants cost:

For adults (16 and older): $165.

For children (15 and under): $135.

The cost difference is stark compared to passport cards for first-time applicants:

For adults (16 and older): $65.

For children (15 and under): $50.

Acceptance fees are dropped for renewals of both the passport book and card. Travelers can expect to pay $130 to renew an adult passport book and $30 to renew an adult passport card.

The passport book is the all-encompassing identifier to carry regardless of how and where you’re traveling. You have the option to purchase a passport book and card in one application, and there are a couple of scenarios when having both passport types might be convenient, like:

If you travel equally by air and land. If you’re visiting Canada or Mexico by car, you might prefer a more compact document for traveling across the border. In that case, having a passport card for regular land-based trips would be useful. You can keep your passport book handy for international air travel.

If you don’t have a Real ID , which will be required for domestic air travel beginning in 2025. A U.S. passport — book or card — is accepted as an alternative to the Real ID, but the card is more convenient to carry around. If you’re flying domestically without a Real ID, you'll be able to use a passport card for air travel within the 50 states and reserve your passport book for international travel.

If you choose to apply for both passport options in one application rather than applying for them separately, you’ll save $35 since you’ll only pay one acceptance fee.

» Learn more: What flyers need to know about REAL ID for travel this fall and beyond

Deciding between a passport book and a passport card can feel like a difficult choice considering the cost difference and the turnaround time to get your passport application processed.

When choosing which option is best for you, consider the type of travel you’re most likely to do over the next few years. If you’re unsure about your future travel needs, a passport book might be your best option.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Can I travel to the UK with an ID card after Brexit or do I need a passport?

From 1 October 2021 you need a valid passport to travel to the United Kingdom (UK). If you become a UK resident on or before 31 December 2020, you can continue to use your ID card to travel between the Netherlands and the UK until at least the end of 2025.  

Visiting the UK

From 1 October 2021 you need a valid passport to travel to the United Kingdom (UK). The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For more information on travelling to the UK from 2021 . 

Dutch nationals living in the UK by 31 December 2020

If you become a UK resident on or before 31 December 2020, you are covered by the withdrawal agreement. This means you can continue to use your ID card to travel between the Netherlands and the UK until at least the end of 2025. You may need to show proof that you fall under the withdrawal agreement.  

Get healthcare cover abroad with a UK GHIC or UK EHIC

The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get necessary state healthcare in EU countries, and some other countries, on the same basis as a resident of that country. This may be free or it may require a payment equivalent to that which a local resident would pay.

The UK GHIC has replaced the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you have an existing EHIC you can continue to use it until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you'll need to apply for a UK GHIC to replace it.

You can apply for a new card up to 9 months before your current card expires.

A UK GHIC is free and lasts for up to 5 years. Apply for your new card through the NHS website. Avoid unofficial websites – they may charge you a fee to apply.

If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you can choose to apply for a new UK EHIC instead.

The UK GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. We advise you to have private travel and medical insurance for the duration of your trip.

We also recommend you check FCDO travel advice on GOV.UK for the country you're visiting.

You can apply for a UK GHIC if you're a resident in the UK. You can also add your family members to your application when you apply.

You'll need to provide your:

• date of birth
• National Insurance or NHS number (if you're from England or Wales)
• CHI number (if you're from Scotland)
• Health and Care number (if you're from Northern Ireland)

Applying for family members

Every member of your family needs their own card. You can add your spouse, civil partner and children to your application when you apply. You must enter your own details first and apply for any additional cards when prompted.

If you've already completed your application and want to add additional family members contact NHS Overseas Healthcare Services . You'll need to give us your reference number, name, date of birth and address so we can access your record.

After you apply

After you've submitted your application, we'll email you within 24 hours to let you know whether it has been approved or not (if you don't get a reply, check your junk folder). We may need to see additional information or documents before approving it.

Once your application has been approved, you should receive your new card within 15 working days. It will be sent to you by post.

If you do not receive it before you travel, and need medically necessary treatment during your visit, you can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) to get temporary cover. For more information, see "If you don't have your card with you" towards the end of this page.

If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement

If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you can choose to apply for a new UK EHIC rather than a UK GHIC. A UK EHIC provides cover for some countries that are not currently covered by the UK GHIC (these are Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein). Like the UK GHIC, it's free and lasts up to 5 years. You can find out if you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement on GOV.UK.

What your card covers

You can use your card to get state healthcare that cannot reasonably wait until you come back to the UK (sometimes called "medically necessary healthcare"). This includes things like:

• emergency treatment and visits to A&E
• treatment or routine medical care for long-term or pre-existing medical conditions
• routine maternity care, as long as you're not going abroad to give birth

You'll need to pre-arrange some treatments with the relevant healthcare provider in the country you're visiting – for example, kidney dialysis or chemotherapy – as it's not guaranteed that local healthcare providers will always have the capacity to provide this care.

Whether treatment is medically necessary is decided by the healthcare provider in the country you're visiting.

Not all state healthcare is free outside of the UK. You may have to pay for treatment that you would get for free on the NHS, if a local resident would be expected to pay in the country you're visiting.

Before travelling, you should check the state-provided healthcare services in the country you're visiting and any potential charges you may face.

Check the relevant country guide on GOV.UK for information on how to access treatment in the country you're visiting

What your card does not cover

A UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) does not replace travel and medical insurance or cover services like:

• being flown back to the UK (medical repatriation)
• treatment in a private medical facility
• ski or mountain rescue

We advise that you have a UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) and private travel and medical insurance for the duration of your trip.

Where you can use your card

You can use a UK GHIC when you're visiting:

• an EU country ( see a list of EU countries on GOV.UK )
• Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man
• St Helena, Tristan and Ascension

You can use a UK GHIC in Switzerland if you're one of the following:

• a British national
• a Swiss national
• an EU citizen
• a stateless person
• a family member of someone who holds one of the above nationalities or statuses

The UK government is negotiating with other countries to expand the use of the UK GHIC, so always check coverage before you travel.

You can use a UK EHIC when you're visiting:

• Liechtenstein
• Switzerland

Visiting Norway

You can use a UK passport to get medically necessary healthcare in Norway if you're a UK resident.

Visiting Montenegro

You can get free emergency treatment in Montenegro but you'll have to pay for your prescribed medicines and for other medical treatment.

If you're a UK national, your UK passport will give you access to emergency healthcare in Montenegro.

If you're a UK resident but not a UK national you'll need your passport and a UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) to get emergency healthcare.

Getting healthcare in other countries

You'll have to pay for treatment unless the UK has a healthcare agreement with that country .

Check if you're eligible for a UK GHIC

You'll be entitled to a UK GHIC if both of these things apply:

• you're ordinarily and legally resident in the UK
• you do not have healthcare cover provided by an EU country or Switzerland

There is information about what "ordinarily resident" means on GOV.UK

You may also be entitled to a UK GHIC if you're:

• living in the EU or Switzerland with a registered S1 form
• living in the EU or Switzerland with an A1 document issued by the UK
• a family member or dependant of an entitled individual already listed

Check if you're eligible for a UK EHIC

You may be eligible for a new UK EHIC if you meet one of the following criteria:

• you're living in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, and have been since before 1 January 2021 with a registered S1, E121, E106 or E109 form issued by the UK
• you're living in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein since before 1 January 2021 with an A1 issued by the UK
• you're a national of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein who has legally resided in the UK since before 1 January 2021 and are covered under the Withdrawal Agreement – you may not be covered if you are also a UK national or if you were born in the UK
• you're a family member or dependant of an entitled individual already listed

If your circumstances change and you no longer meet one of the above criteria, you may not be entitled to continue using the card and should contact NHS Overseas Healthcare Services .

You must be entitled to use your UK GHIC or UK EHIC at the time of the treatment. If you use it to access healthcare that you're not entitled to, you may be liable for the full cost of all treatment received or face prosecution.

Applying for a UK Student EHIC or UK GHIC

To apply for a UK Student EHIC or UK GHIC, you'll need a letter from your university or college showing:

• the name and address of the UK educational institution if you're travelling as part of your course
• the address of where you're studying in the EU or Switzerland
• details of the qualification you're studying for
• the dates your study period in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland started and is due to finish
• your permanent residential address in the UK

If the letter from your university or college does not include your permanent residential address in the UK, you'll be asked to provide further evidence to confirm this.

This is in addition to the information set out in "How to apply" above.

Students studying in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland applying for a UK Student EHIC or UK GHIC

If you normally live in the UK and have been studying in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland since before 1 January 2021, you may be eligible for a new UK Student EHIC for use in the EU and your country of study.

You will not be able to use this card for treatment in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein unless one of these countries is your country of study.

If you started your course after 1 January 2021, or you're planning to study in an EU country, you'll need to apply for a UK Student GHIC. If you're studying in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein you can also apply for a UK GHIC but it will not cover you for treatment in those countries, even if you are studying there.

You can use the UK Student GHIC in the EU, Switzerland and your country of study, but not yet in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

Using a UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) when abroad

You should take your UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) with you when you travel abroad. If you need medically necessary treatment, you'll need to present the card to the hospital (or other service provider) that is treating you – make sure that you are being treated at a public health provider and not a private one. Keep all receipts and paperwork.

Depending on the country you visit you may be expected to pay all or part of your bill upfront and then claim a refund afterwards.

Some countries ask patients to pay a contribution towards the cost of their care. This is known as a co-payment or patient share. You can claim back the difference between the total bill and the co-payment, but the actual co-payment is not refundable.

Your UK GHIC or UK EHIC will not cover costs that a local resident would have to pay.

If you don't have your card with you

If you need emergency treatment when you're in another country and do not have your UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) with you, you can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC). A PRC gives you the same level of cover as a UK GHIC or UK EHIC.

A PRC also covers you if you've applied for a UK GHIC or UK EHIC and it has not arrived yet.

Find out more about PRCs and how to apply for one

You'll need to pay in full for treatment if you do not have a UK GHIC, UK EHIC or PRC. You should ask for a copy of your invoice and obtain a receipt.

How to claim a refund

To claim a refund for healthcare covered by your UK GHIC or UK EHIC, you'll need to download and fill in a refund claim form and send it to NHS Overseas Healthcare Services. You should include receipts and any supporting documents with your claim form.

Find out how to claim a refund for healthcare covered by your UK GHIC or UK EHIC

Incorrect charges for treatment

If you think you've been incorrectly charged for medical treatment, contact NHS Overseas Healthcare Services .

Keep all documents relating to your treatment. You may need to provide more information to confirm your eligibility and the cost of the treatment you had. This could include:

• receipts or invoices relating to treatment
• confirmation that the treatment was state-provided
• confirmation of payments made to healthcare institutions
• documents relating to insurance cover if your insurer paid for treatment
• discharge documents

NHS Overseas Healthcare Services will look at your claim to decide whether you were charged when you should have been covered. If they determine that your treatment should have been covered by the UK GHIC or UK EHIC, they'll reimburse you or your insurer for the costs of treatment that are covered by your card.

If you suspect GHIC or EHIC fraud

If you suspect that somebody has fraudulently applied for or used a UK GHIC or UK EHIC they are not entitled to, you can report this to the NHS Counter Fraud Authority .

Alternatively, you can email your concern to us at [email protected] .

Page last reviewed: 12 December 2023 Next review due: 12 December 2026

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Little known passport rule that will stop you from travelling anywhere in the world

One uk reality star has recently fallen foul of the rule.

Tom Earnshaw

'Where are the passports? Have you got the passports? All of them?'

A classic line heard a million and one times in every airport in every country around the world , to the point where no amount of checking will really calm the anxiety of misplacing the most important piece of documentation in making your holiday a reality.

But simply having it is not enough. Just look at the row erupting between Geordie Shore's Vicky Pattison and easyJet .

There are all manner of rules when it comes to heading overseas, with the DVLA stressing the importance of making sure you have the right documentation in place to avoid being arrested .

Spain also has a rather recent '£97 rule' that'll be of major interest to millions of Brits heading there this summer.

Well, the rule Pattison fell foul of concerned her official travel document to leave the country, her British passport.

What happened with the reality TV star?

Pattison was heading overseas to visit the wedding venue where she is going to the tie the knot with The Only Way Is Essex star Ercan Ramadan.

But she said easyJet , who she was flying with from Newcastle Airport , 'destroyed her dreams' by not letting her board the flight.

This was after organising for her wedding planner, assistant, and florist to all fly out for the key visit.

"All the wasted money, how hard it was for me to get the time off, how excited we were, how I've wasted everyone's time... I'm just really sad I think," she said on Instagram.

Why didn't easyJet let her board?

It came down to the quality of her passport, which saw the reality TV star turned away at the gate.

Pattison said: "This is what was wrong with my passport for everyone asking.

"In fairness, I don't know if that is really bad or not. I've just not had anyone ever tell me it was before."

A spokesperson for easyJet said: "We are sorry for Ms Pattison’s experience and the inconvenience caused.

"At easyJet, we work closely with the authorities and comply with their guidance to ensure the safety and security of all passengers and staff.

"As such, we cannot allow any passenger to travel on their planned flight with documentation damaged to such a degree that its authenticity is brought into question. It is the passenger’s responsibility to have suitable documentation for travel."

What passport rule was broken?

It all came down to the quality of her passport, which had been damaged in one corner by her dog .

The law states that you won't be allowed to board a plane if your passport is damaged to a degree where its authenticity would be called in to question.

The following eight points are considered when assessing a damaged passport, according to mybritishpassport.com:

• your personal details cannot be read easily or at all
• the laminate portion on your name page has lifted so that it has the potential for a substitute photo to be inserted
• there are signs of fading or discolouration on the passport’s name page
• your passport is stained on any of its pages (e.g.. it has ink, makeup or chemical spills)
• there are missing, torn, defaced or detached pages
• the chip on the passport can be seen on the back cover
• the passport chip shows signs of damage; and
• any other damage that may prevent the passport from being a legible form of identification.

Getting a new passport when yours is damaged

You have to renew, sadly.

But before renewing, HM Passport Office has to review every damaged passport for signs of tampering.

This can mean the time you're waiting for a new passport could be longer, depending on demand.

HM Passport Office says: "Before we issue a replacement passport, we need to understand how the damage occurred.

"On some passports, how it happened will be obvious and there will be no need to contact the customer, in others the customer must tell us what happened to their passport.

"If we receive an application to renew a passport and we discover it is damaged, you must check if another colleague has already given an explanation."

Topics:  Easyjet , Holiday , Travel , UK News , World News , Celebrity

Tom joined LADbible in 2024, specialising in SEO and trending content. He moved to the company from Reach plc where he enjoyed spells as a content editor and senior reporter for one of the country's most-read local news brands, LancsLive. When he's not in work, Tom spends his adult life as a suffering Manchester United supporter after a childhood filled with trebles and Premier League titles. You can't have it all forever, I suppose.

@ TREarnshaw

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Is my passport still valid? New rules and prices around soon-to-be expired ID

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With more bank holidays coming up, many of us are excited to leave the country. But before you set off, you’ll want to double check your passport.

We don’t mean check that it is definitely in your bag or pocket, but really pay attention to your passport details.

That’s because since Brexit , new rules have come into play and are now in effect for British travellers .

Since the UK has now left the European Union , travelling to Europe and the Schengen Zone comes with some complications, as UK passport holders are now’third-party nationals’.

This means that your passport now needs to be issued less than ten years before your arrival date to the destination.

So, now the issue date is just as important as the expiry date, meaning your passport needs to be less than ten years to the day you’re landing.

Before, you could travel with a passport that was out of date by up to nine months, (meaning you were able to use it for more than ten years).

Now, not only must your passport be less than ten years old, you also need to make sure it has at least three months remaining on its expiry.

Simply put, if you’re travelling to Spain on 5 May, you need to make sure your passport was issued after 5 May 2014 and expires no earlier than 5 August 2024.

Anyone who fails these rules will be turned away, which is already happening to some British travellers.

What are the new passport renewal rules?

These rules apply to Brits travelling to all EU member states, except Ireland. They also apply to other countries in Europe’s Schengen area, such as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, and Monaco.

Now, your UK passport must:

• have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the EU country (the date of issue)
• be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave (the date of expiry)

How can I check if my passport is still valid?

Check the date of issue on your passport – is it issued within ten years of the day you land?

Add three months to the day you leave the country – does your passport expire after that?

If the answer to the questions above is ‘yes’ then you don’t need to worry. But if it is ‘no’ then you’ll need to either apply for a passport renewal or get an emergency travel document (especially if your travel date is soon, or you get turned away at the airport).

How much is passport renewal in 2024?

You will need to renew your passport though the HM Passport Office , which allows you to renew it through the post or online.

You can use the online service to renew your passport at a cost of £88.50. You’ll need: a  digital photo ; a credit or debit card; and your old passport including passports to other countries.

You can get a paper application form by either going to a Post Office that has a  Check and Send service , or calling the  Passport Adviceline . This costs £100.

To renew your child’s passport, it’s slightly cheaper. Online, the service costs £57.50 – you’ll need a digital photo of your child, their old passport, any valid passports from other countries, and any court orders relating to your child.

You can also renew their passport by post, in the same way you would for an adult, which costs £69.

You can pay by either a debit or credit card – fill in the form in the application pack, or send a cheque made payable to ‘HM Passport Office’

You’ll need two new and identical printed photos of yourself.

What makes a passport invalid?

Other than passport issue and expiry date problems, there are other ways the document might be rendered invalid, for example if there is physical damage to it.

Vicky Pattinson was recently turned away at the airport when her passport was chewed by her dog, and there are ways a passport might be deemed invalid.

This can be if:

• Details are indecipherable
• The laminate has lifted enough to allow the possibility of photo substitution
• There’s discolouration of the bio-data page
• There’s chemical or ink spillage on any page
• There are missing or detached pages
• The chip or antenna shows through the end paper on the back cover for the new style e-passports
• The chip has been identified as damaged after investigation

If your passport is damaged and you have an overseas trip booked that’s shorter than a month away, you’ll need to use the  Fast Track service . This involves attending an appointment at a Passport Office (you can choose between Belfast, Durham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Newport or Peterborough), where you’ll need to hand in a completed application form, two valid passport photos, and any supporting documents.

You’re guaranteed to receive your new passport in seven days but these appointments get booked up quickly – especially in peak season – so book one as soon as possible.

What happens if my passport is invalid?

The Consular Section at the British High Commission regularly receives panic calls from Britons at the airport – someone in the family was not allowed to board the flight because their passport expires in less than six months.

The British High Commission can help by processing an  Emergency Travel Document  (ETD). This costs £100 and is usually issued within 24 hours. Visas for ETDs may be required; some countries that allow visa-free entry on a regular passport will require a visa for an ETD.

As you can see, these scenarios result in added costs and unexpected delays, so check your passports ASAP.

What other rules are coming into effect for UK travellers?

British travellers to European and Schengen countries are also no longer ablefor stay at length.

Now you can only stay for a maximum of 90 days within a six-month period, whereas before you could have stayed longer.

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The barely visited US national park that requires a passport

After 15 hours of flying, I finally reached my destination. I'd started my journey in Boulder, Colorado, and three flights later, I had somehow still landed in a US territory – albeit one thousands of miles from any other, and closer to Australia than the mainland US.

Landing on the small island of Tutuila in American Samoa, the only inhabited US territory south of the equator that covers seven South Pacific islands and atolls, I walked down the airstairs onto the tarmac. The warm island air immediately welcomed me to a place I couldn't have found on a map until recently.

Despite being a US citizen travelling from the mainland to a US territory, I was still herded through passport control and customs: here, all travellers must go through immigration and present their passports – unique from other US territories where US citizens can travel without them.

As I looked around, it felt as if I was in middle of a family reunion rather than an airport. Everyone seemed to know or be related to everyone else, with the few visitors from outside the islands, me included, standing out.

With just two flights in and out of the island per week – Monday and Thursday – at an average cost of around $1,000 to travel the 2,600 miles from Honolulu, the trip isn't often taken casually. In fact, most travellers who venture here come for a specific reason, as I had: to explore one of the most remote and least visited national parks in the US: the National Park of American Samoa .

I've spent nearly the last decade travelling alone to the major US national parks, intending to visit all 63 entirely independently. While some explorers aspire to visit every country in the world, a small – but growing – group of intrepid travellers aim to see all the officially designated US national parks. Due to its remoteness and cost to reach, the National Park of American Samoa is generally one of, if not the last, park visited on the quest to explore all 63.

Ofu Island's lagoon and coral reefs are part of the National Park of American Samoa (Credit: Alamy)

Five unmissable experiences

• Pola Island Trail : Perfect for an accessible dose of nature, this easy 1km out-and-back trail culminates at a scenic beach where you admire stunning views of Pola Island, one of the primary sanctuaries for nesting seabirds on Tutuila. 

• Mount 'Alava Trail : This 7.3-mile round-trip on Tutuila Island takes you up a ridgeline through the rainforest and offers panoramic views of Pago Pago Harbor. At 491m, Mount 'Alava is the island's highest peak.

• Tuafanua Trail : This short but challenging 1.2-mile out-and-back trek on Tutuila Island leads you through dense rainforest, with a chance to spot colourful birds and hermit crabs. Hikers are rewarded with coastline views and a secluded beach after tackling steep switchbacks and sections with ladders. 

• Tisa's Barefoot Bar Samoan Feast: At this weekly experience, starting at 19:00 every Wednesday, witness the preparation of a traditional Umu feast, a Samoan style of cooking in a hot, aboveground stone oven, then gather around a communal table to connect with fellow travellers and learn about Fa'asamoa, the Samoan way of life.

• Snorkel on Ofu Island : Teeming with life, the coral reefs surrounding Ofu Island offer a kaleidoscope of colour and the best snorkelling in American Samoa just a short boat ride from shore.

This journey was my 59th solo park visit, and to say I was intimidated was a gross understatement. During my trip planning, I'd found little up-to-date logistical information. Still, I was comforted by the oft-mentioned "Fa'asamoa", or the Samoan Way, which distinguishes the island's accepting nature. Part of Polynesia's oldest culture, the Samoan Way is the set of traditional family and community values woven throughout the island's customs and traditions.

I felt that strong sense of community instantly when stepping outside the terminal into the thick and fragrant air. From families embracing, smiling strangers offering to help me with my luggage and the many friendly offers for a lift to my hotel, I immediately felt comfortable as a solo female traveller.

"For everybody who lands on the island, the first thing you see is the airport swarmed [with people] welcoming their families home," said Tisa Fa'amuli, the owner of the famous Tisa's Barefoot Bar in Eastern Tutuila and founder of Alega Marine Sanctuary , where she has led efforts to restore the local coral reefs and maintain the protected marine area. "A lot of people find that very touching. You know, to think the whole family comes to the airport. It's a big event to receive our family coming home."

It was dark when I arrived, and I could only imagine the crystal blue waters, lush verdant rainforests and steep volcanic mountains that would greet me at sunrise. So, early the next morning, I eagerly set out for the national park that covers 13,500 acres of land and sea across three islands: Tutuila, Ta'ū and Ofu.

I rented a car from my hotel – one of just three on the island – driving through several small settlements to the coastal village of Vatia to hike the stunning Pola Island Trail , a popular entry point to the national park for most visitors who arrive and stay on Tutuila.

The 1km hike is one of the shortest you’ll find in this – or any other – national park, but the payoff is indescribable. I was immediately struck by the sense of peace and almost eerie quiet as I hiked along the lush, often steep and muddy forest trail – each step a walking meditation more than a hike – eventually finding myself under a canopy of banyan trees softly swaying in the breeze. I finally made my way to the star of the show: the dramatic coastline I’d only seen in guidebooks, with a view of Pola Island in the distance, a dramatic jungle-draped rock rising sharply out of the sea.

Every Wednesday, Tisa's Barefoot Bar hosts a traditional Samoan Umu feast (Credit: Emily Hart)

I'd expected to find other hikers at the secluded beach at the trail’s end, but I was alone, with just the dramatic crashing of waves on the rocky shore to greet me. I sat down on a smooth rock and stared out water, finding a peace that I hadn’t felt on my visits to other US national parks.

Fa'amuli wasn't surprised by my near-spiritual experience, later noting that many visitors to the national park feel the same wonder that I did. "Right now, they need to come to American Samoa. Why? Because it's peaceful. It's a place where they feel they can go and sit and be peaceful, and it's really hard to do in the busy world," she said.

I’m no stranger to the crowds that can often come with natural wonders, specifically national parks. Over the past several years, the steep growth in park visitation in the United States has frequently meant battling traffic jams, securing reservation tickets and timed entry permits, endless parking searches and full campgrounds. But here I found a stark contrast – and it wasn’t just my luck or imagination. Since its establishment in 1988, National Park of American Samoa has remained one of the least visited parks in the system, seeing just 12,135 visitors in 2023, according to National Park Service visitation statistics for its 400+ sites, with many of those cruise travellers who were driven through portions of the park on day excursions.

In fact, the only national park with fewer visitors is Gates of the Arctic , a remote national park in the Alaskan wilderness with no roads, trails or campsites that had 11,045 recreational visits in 2023. To put these numbers into context, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that straddles the border of Tennessee and North Carolina – the most visited on the list – saw a jaw-dropping 13.29 million visitors last year.

Many visitors to the park are cruise travellers on day excursions (Credit: Alamy)

However, while few travellers make it here, this under-the-radar national park is endlessly fascinating, whether you're hiking through tropical rainforest or snorkelling in the 4,000 acres of the park that are underwater. I didn't find the traditional national park visitor services; there's just one small visitor centre on Tutuila but no other established entrance gates, campgrounds or structures. Yet each view was just as striking as the last, from the view of Pago Pago Harbor  from the summit of Mount 'Alava Trail to the isolated stretch of lava-rock beach at the end of Tuafanua Trail.

However, although hiking and beach walking are magnificent here, it's the history and culture that truly set the park apart.

More like this: • 10 sustainable travel destinations to visit in 2024 • The world's smallest national park • The hike making Australia a better place

American Samoans are proud of the national park status, which is unique in that it was designated with a land ownership agreement, where in 1993, the government entered into a land lease (rather than outright ownership) with Samoan villages. This has worked to safeguard American Samoans' communal traditions and ownership of their land while providing resources for protecting the vibrant ecosystem of tropical rainforests, coral reefs and wildlife – like the Samoan flying fox (fruit bat).

And it's not just the park that safeguards tradition. With more than 90% of the land in American Samoa communally owned by aiga (families) and controlled by chiefs (with the remaining freehold land restricted to those who are at least one-half Samoan), the island maintains a strong cultural identity. This unique heritage can be seen in Sa , the village-wide daily prayer time, to the widespread donning of traditional lavalavas (sarongs), to the near complete shutdown of the islands each Sunday for religious services and family time.

Unlike other unincorporated US territories, such as Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa exists as a land of "US nationals" rather than "US citizens". Residents are US passport holders who can travel freely throughout the US, but this differentiation allows the territory to maintain its cultural identity in part by restricting land ownership (there is no current concern of the islands "becoming the next Hawaii") and controlling their own borders and immigration.

The National Park of American Samoa was the second least visited national park in 2023 (Credit: Emily Hart)

That is not to say that the island is leery of outsiders. Fa'amuli notes that the "people of this island are so happy to receive visitors", something that she is well versed in as the only eco-tourism operator on Tutuila.

During my visit, I also tackled the challenging ascent of 1,700ft Mount 'Alava and marvelled at the archaeological site of an ancient star mound at the end of Lower Sauma Ridge Trail . With more time, I'd get out onto the water, renting a kayak in Pago Pago to view the park from a different vantage point.

Due to communal land ownership, public beach access is nearly non-existent, with local customs requiring any visitor to ask permission from the villagers before accessing most of the shoreline. Still, the National Park Service notes that "permission will almost certainly be granted" – and I found this same kindness in every interaction. 

It's often said that the journey is the destination, but I experienced something different at the National Park of American Samoa. Here, the destination is truly the event – and the difficult journey to reach it only works to keep it that way.

Slowcomotion is a BBC Travel series that celebrates slow, self-propelled travel and invites readers to get outside and reconnect with the world in a safe and sustainable way.

For the best of BBC.com in your inbox every Friday, sign up to The Essential List newsletter for a handpicked selection of features, videos and can't-miss news.

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• Society and culture
• Equality, rights and citizenship
• Applying for a passport from outside the UK: how to fill in the application form
• HM Passport Office

Applying for a passport from outside the UK: guidance notes (accessible)

Updated 18 May 2022

© Crown copyright 2022

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] .

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-passports-guidance/applying-for-a-passport-from-outside-the-uk-guidance-notes-accessible

Please don’t book travel until you’ve received your new passport, as we can’t accept responsibility for any travel that you book. To avoid delays, we’ll need a fully completed form, 2 suitable photos, the right documents and fee.

• This guidance is for British applicants from certain countries applying for a passport from outside the UK, using the OS application form.
• Don’t book travel or visas until you have your passport.
• We cannot accept responsibility for travel you book before it arrives. We do our best, but cannot guarantee to return your passport within a certain time.
• Go to www.gov.uk/overseas-passports to find out how long it is likely to take for your passport to arrive.
• We do not send form or document acknowledgements.
• If you want to check progress with your application, please leave at least 4 weeks from when you submitted your application before contacting us. For some countries this may be longer, please check the guidance at www.gov.uk/overseas-passports
• If there isn’t enough space in the boxes provided please use section 8 of the application form to give us full details.
• Give us an email address and telephone number so we can contact you quickly if needed. This will help us to continue with your application.
• To make sure our emails don’t get missed, check your spam or junk folder regularly, or adjust your spam filter settings.
• We will contact you on your mobile phone number if we have any queries about delivery

Additional support is available for anyone who has a disability. Find out more about the services we offer and how to access them at www.gov.uk/passport-services-disabled

Top tips before you fill in your form

• Complete your paper form in CAPITAL LETTERS and BLACK BIRO only.
• Don’t write outside the white boxes or outside the signature borders.

If you make a mistake, cross it out. Don’t use correction fluid. If you make more than 3 mistakes on any line or don’t provide a clear signature in sections 6 or 9, you will need to fill out a new form.

If your form needs countersigning, your countersignatory must also write in the white boxes and sign within the signature box at section 10.

Section 1: Which type of passport do you need and sections to complete

Read the information in this section to find out which type of passport you need to apply for and what sections you need to fill in. There are 5 different types of application.

• The Child box is for under 16s
• The Adult box is for those 16 or over and those turning 16 within the next 3 weeks
• Adult passports are normally valid for 10 years and child passports are normally valid for 5 years

This applies if:

• your existing British passport isn’t damaged AND
• your name, date of birth, place of birth, gender, appearance and nationality hasn’t changed AND
• you aren’t renewing a passport that is handwritten. If you are renewing a handwritten passport, see First British Passport

Section 10 must be completed for:

• all children aged 11 or under
• everyone who is not recognisable from their previous passport photo.

The countersignatory must complete section 10 and correctly certify one of your photos. See countersignatory section .

Sections to complete

First british passport.

This applies if you:

• have never had a British passport before
• were included as a child on someone else’s passport
• are renewing a passport that is handwritten
• have become a British national by naturalisation or registration

Section 10 must be completed for: all adult and child applications.

Replacement

• you want to replace a British passport that has been lost, stolen or damaged

Section 10 must be completed for: all adult and child applications

The countersignatory must complete section 10 and correctly certify one of your photos. See countersignatory section

This applies if you want to change your current British passport. You’re changing:

• your name, date of birth, place of birth, gender or nationality
• your photo (including where you cannot be recognised from your current passport photo)

This applies if your last passport was issued for one year or less.

Need a 50-page frequent traveller passport?

A standard passport is 34 pages. If you are a frequent traveller and need extra space for visas, select ‘50-page passport’ on the application form. 50-page frequent traveller passports cost more than a 34-page passport.

Need a Braille sticker on your new passport?

If you or the applicant has eyesight difficulties and need a Braille sticker put on the new passport, put a ‘X’ in the ‘Braille’ box.

Section 2: Who is the passport for?

• The name you enter on the form should fully match your previous British passport or the documents you send us. For example your birth or adoption certificate, marriage certificate, nationality certificate.
• If there isn’t enough space in the boxes provided please use section 8 of the application form to give us your full name.

Names to be shown on your passport

• We can add a limited number of titles to your British passport if you ask. See GOV.UK for details .
• Please give the name of the person who the passport is for under ‘surname’ and ‘first and middle names’
• The name that is shown on the passport should be the name that you use for all purposes – that is, the name on your new passport should match the name that appears on your supporting documents (such as your birth certificate or previous passport). If you’re a dual national and hold a non-British passport in a different name, you must change it to match the name you want on your British passport. You must do this before you make your application.
• We can only show up to 30 characters (including spaces) on your passport for first and middle names and a further 30 characters for surnames. If your names don’t fit in the boxes provided, shorten them in a way you would want them to be shown on your passport. You should then write your full name in section 8 of the form. We will add your full name on the observation page in your passport.
• If you have changed your name, enter your name as it is now.

Change of name in passport

• If you are changing your name, put your new name in the ‘surname’ and ‘first and middle names’ boxes and put your previous names in the ‘maiden or all previous names’ boxes.
• If you no longer want your middle name to be included in your new passport when it has been on previous passports, tell us in section 8 of the application form and provide evidence of the change. See the change of name table for details. If you don’t, we will add your name to match what is in your previous passport.
• If you spell your name differently, change the order of your names or add a new name compared to what is in your previous passport, then you will need to provide evidence of the name change. See the change of name table for more details.
• Provide proof of your change of name if this is different from your supporting documents. Send proof to support every name change. This applies if you are getting married or forming a civil partnership and you want your passport to be in your new name. See the change of name table for more details.
• List all of your maiden or previous names that you have been known by (surname first then first and middle names). Leave a space between each name. If they won’t fit in the boxes, you should write them in full in section 8.
• You cannot change a child’s name unless you have the permission of everyone who has parental responsibility for the child. Please see section 9 on parental responsibility for more information.

Current address

• Give your full residential address (where you live) including state or province, and postcode (where applicable).
• We may check you live at the address you give. If you don’t, it may delay your application unless you explain the circumstances in section 8 of the form.
• We won’t normally return your passport to an address that is different from your current address. If you want it delivered to a different address, please explain why and give the other address in section 8. We may contact you for evidence of your connection to that address.
• If you live in a country where we deliver directly to your address please ensure there is someone available to sign for receipt of the passport and documents.
• Put a cross in the relevant box to say whether the person the passport is for is male or female.
• If you are transgender (live as a different gender to that shown on your birth certificate) or if you have changed or are in the process of changing your gender, you can get more guidance at www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information

Date of birth

• Give your date of birth as shown on your birth, registration or naturalisation certificate or previous British passport

Place of birth

• Give the names of the town and country you were born in as shown on your birth, registration or naturalisation certificate or previous British passport.

Contact details

We recommend you give us a mobile phone number, so we can send you a text message when we receive your form and when your passport is being printed. Our courier may also use it to help deliver your passport faster.

• Please give as many contact details as possible and make sure the information is accurate as we may need to contact you about your application. If you don’t include an email address and mobile phone number, it may delay your application.
• To make sure our emails don’t get missed in your spam folder, check your spam or junk folder regularly, or adjust your spam filter settings.
• We will contact you on your mobile phone number if we have any queries about delivery.

Section 3: Details of previous and current passports held

Everyone must fill in section 3A.

Uncancelled passports

In part B, enter details of all uncancelled passports that you are sending us. A British cancelled passport has the top right-hand corner of the cover cut off. An uncancelled passport has not been cancelled by its issuing authority (British or another country). This may include:

• an expired passport (one that has run out)
• passports you are or were included on (for example, as a child), and
• passports issued to you by other countries

Lost or stolen

We strongly recommend you report your passport as lost or stolen as soon as possible to prevent someone misusing your passport and your identity. Do this online at www.gov.uk/report-a-lost-or-stolen-passport . You can ask a trusted friend or relative to help you. The sooner you report it, the sooner you will be protected against the passport being misused. If your passport has been lost or stolen, but you haven’t reported it yet, fill in part C. Give us as many details as you can and tell us how the passport was lost or stolen. Please use section 8 if there is not enough space in the boxes provided. If your passport was stolen, report the theft to the local police and include the crime reference number at section 8. We will cancel your lost or stolen passport when we receive your application. If you later find the passport which you reported lost or stolen, you must return it to us. You will no longer be able to use the passport. You may be held by the immigration authorities or the police if you try to do so. For security reasons, any passport which is found should be returned to us or to a third party such as the Police so it can be returned to us for cancellation.

Section 4: Parent’s details

You need to fill in this section if:

• the passport is for someone under 16
• you are applying for your first adult passport
• you are applying to replace a passport that has been lost, stolen or damaged
• you are applying to extend your passport

Give all the details for both parents of the person named at section 2 of the application form.

For nationality purposes parents are defined in law as ‘mother’ and ‘father’. Nationality by birth cannot always be gained through either parent’s national status. This includes parents who are of the same sex. Because of this, it is important that the ‘mother’ and ‘father’ are entered in the correct boxes.

If either parent was born on or after 1 January 1983, or were born outside the UK, please give the following details in section 8 of the application form. Either:

• the full name, town, country of birth and date of marriage of your mother’s or parent 1’s parents and your father’s or parent 2’s parents, or
• details of your parents’ claim to British nationality.

If your ‘mother’ is married to someone else (not your biological father) at the time of your birth your ‘biological father’ is not your ‘father’ for nationality purposes. Please see gov.uk for more information.

Step-parents and others taking a parental role that are not defined as either a ‘mother’ or a ‘father’ for nationality purposes must not fill in their details in section 4.

When a child is adopted in the UK, British nationality can be gained through either parent. If adoptive parents are of the same sex, the parent who appears first on the adoption certificate should enter their details in the box ‘mother or parent 1’ and the parent named second on the adoption certificate should enter their details in the box ‘father or parent 2’ regardless of sex

Children conceived through sperm donation

If your child was conceived through sperm donation and born in the UK, you should complete the form in the normal way. You do not need to tell us your child was conceived through sperm donation. If the parents are of the same sex, the mother who gave birth should enter their details in the box ‘mother or parent 1’ and the parent named second on the child’s birth certificate should enter their details in the box ‘father or parent 2’. If your child was conceived through sperm donation and born outside the UK see GOV.UK for information on what documents you’ll need to send.

When a child is born of a surrogacy arrangement and a parental order has been granted in the UK after 6 April 2010, nationality can be taken through either parent named on the order. Where these parents are of the same sex, the parent who appears first on the parental order should enter their details in the box ‘mother or parent 1’ and the parent named second on the parental order should enter their details in the box ‘father or parent 2’. Where a child is born as a result of a surrogacy arrangement outside the UK to a man and a woman and a passport is being sought before a parental order has been granted, the child may have an automatic claim to British nationality as long as:

(a) the child is biologically related to the British father and,

(b) the British father is not British by descent and,

(c) the birth mother is not married at the time of the birth.

If the child is biologically related to the father but he is British by descent and/or the birth mother is married at the time of the birth, the commissioning surrogate parents must seek to register the child as a British Citizen before applying for a passport for the child. The child will not be British until this step is taken. For further information on entering into surrogacy arrangements in foreign countries please visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/surrogacy-overseas

It may be possible to apply for a passport before a parental order has been granted. Passport applications involving surrogacy are often highly complex and we may need to ask for further documentation or to talk to you in person after you have sent us your application. Please allow a lot more time than our average processing times or such applications to be processed – we recommend submitting an application involving surrogacy at least 4 months before you need the passport. We are not in a position to guarantee a specific processing time for these cases.

No mention of parent’s details or ‘mother or parent 1’ and ‘father or parent 2’ will appear on the passport. This information is used simply to gather the information we need to issue a passport.

Child with one parent

If you are the only parent of your child, fill in either the ‘Mother or Parent 1’ or ‘Father or Parent 2’ sections of the form, whichever applies to you and leave the spaces for an additional parent blank. Add a note in section 8 to show that you are the only parent and why (whether you do not know the other parent of the child, are an individual adopter, or an individual parent whose child was conceived through sperm donation and so on).

For more information on the circumstances in which nationality is decided please visit GOV.UK

Section 5: Certificate of registration or naturalisation

• You must put a cross in the ‘No’ or ‘Yes’ box if you are applying for your first British passport
• You must put a cross in the ‘No’ or ‘Yes’ box if you are changing your national status to British citizen
• Don’t include birth/adoption certificate or passport details in this section

The ‘No’ box applies if the person named in section 2 has not applied to the Home Office to become a British Citizen through registration or naturalisation. A registration or naturalisation certificate is only issued by the Home Office when the applicant has satisfied all legislation requirements. Put a ‘X’ in the ‘No’ box. The Yes box applies if the person named in section 2 applied to the Home Office to become a British Citizen through registration or naturalisation. If the Home Office granted British citizenship the Home Office will have issued a certificate of registration or naturalisation. Put a ‘X’ in the ‘Yes’ box and give certificate details.

Section 6: Children aged 12 to 15

A child aged 12 to 15, or a child who will turn 12 within the next 3 weeks, needs to sign this declaration.

A date must be put in the date section. A person with parental responsibility must sign the declaration at section 9 of the form.

If your child is not able to sign the form, you should:

• leave this section blank, and
• use section 8 or send a covering letter confirming why the child cannot sign. This can be written by the parent or the child’s carer or doctor.

Don’t write in this section. This area is intentionally blank.

Section 8: More information

Most people don’t need to fill in this section. The sections below show when you should give us extra information using this section.

• Names that you were not able to fit in the boxes in section 2.
• If you have changed your name as a result of getting married, but you want to continue to use your maiden name for professional purposes, you should make a statement in section 8 of the application form and we will add a note on the observation page of your passport showing your maiden name.
• to keep an observation in your new passport.
• Tell us why you need to have your passport sent to another address and give us the other address

Damaged passport

• If your passport is damaged, explain briefly how it was damaged.

Parental responsibility

• You must disclose and give us any court orders relating to the child, which might impact the passport application.

If you have a disability

• If you have a disability that means you can’t meet the passport photo requirements. Please include a letter from your doctor, and tell us if it’s a permanent or temporary disability.
• If you have a mental or physical condition that would prevent you from taking part in an identity interview. Please include a letter from your doctor, and tell us if it’s a permanent or temporary condition.
• If a signature could not be provided in section 6 or 9, tell us in section 8 and include a letter of explanation from an appropriate person such as a parent (for section 6) or a doctor, carer or social worker. They will need to sign the application on your behalf.
• Your Typetalk phone number or your preferred method of communication if you are blind or partially sighted (for example, by phone or in large print).

Grandparents and surrogacy details

• Grandparents’ details if both parents named in section 4 were born after 1 January 1983 or were born abroad.
• If the applicant was born of a surrogacy arrangement.

Note: Please give full name(s), date of birth, and place of birth in addition to any British passport details; for example a British passport number and its place of issue. If grandparents were ever married, we will also need to know their date of marriage for nationality purposes

British National (Overseas) passport

If you are applying for a British National (Overseas) Passport you should enter the number of your Hong Kong permanent identity card and enclose a colour photocopy with your application.

Section 9: Declaration

• Before you fill in and sign the declaration, read the form again to make sure that the information you have given is correct.
• your own passport
• a passport for the child named in section 2
• someone who cannot sign, and you are signing on their behalf.
• Read points 1 to 9 in the declaration section of the form before you sign and date the form
• If you are applying for a child, give your full name and relationship to the child

People applying aged 16 and over If you are 16 and over, or you will turn 16 within 3 weeks, sign the declaration yourself. You don’t need permission from a person with parental responsibility. Your ‘adult’ passport can’t be issued before you turn 16.

For applicants with a learning disability who cannot understand the consequences of signing the declaration in section 9, someone with parental responsibility should give their permission. Please use section 8 of the form to explain why the applicant cannot sign the declaration.

A child under 16 must have permission from a person with parental responsibility. The mother automatically has parental responsibility for her child from birth, and can give permission, providing the court has not taken parental responsibility away.

The father can give permission if he:

• was married to the mother at the time of the child’s birth (or, for those living in Scotland, when the mother became pregnant)
• was married to the mother at any time after the child’s birth
• has a parental responsibility order or agreement (which must be sent with the application)
• has a child arrangements order which grants parental responsibility (this must be sent with the application), or
• is named on the birth certificate (this must be sent with the application) and the birth was jointly registered on or after: − 15 April 2002 in Northern Ireland − 1 December 2003 in England and Wales, or − 4 May 2006 in Scotland.

For children born to female same-sex partners who conceived through sperm donation, the second female parent can give permission if she:

• was married or in a civil partnership at the time of the child’s conception and consented to the conception

If the child’s parent is under 16 , they can sign the declaration on behalf of the child.

If a child has been adopted , either adoptive parent can give permission.

If parents are divorced , a child arrangements order or maintenance order will not automatically take away the parent’s parental responsibility.

If a child has been born of a surrogacy arrangement , either parent named on the parental order or birth certificate can give permission. If the application is made before the parental order is granted, the rules are more complex. Please contact us for guidance if this applies to you.

Step-parents (adults who enter into a marriage or civil partnership with someone who is already defined as a parent as explained above) can give permission, only if they have parental responsibility by a parental responsibility order, a child arrangements order giving parental responsibility or parental responsibility agreement.

If the child is in care or is living with foster parents , we will need permission from the local authority before we can issue a passport to the child. For separate guidance notes for social services, please visit www.gov.uk/ government/publications

If the court has made an order about who the child should live with, or about the child having a passport, this must be sent in with the application. If someone has made an objection to the child having the passport, we may refuse to issue the passport.

If an adult is acting as a parent in a situation other than one described in this section, please explain the circumstances in a letter with your application. We will also need documentary proof of your responsibility for the child.

If we have already issued a passport to a child after an application has been made by one parent, the other parent or anyone else with parental responsibility cannot apply for a separate passport for that child. If you cannot sign the application form:

• get someone else to sign on your behalf, and
• tell us in section 8 and include a covering letter to explain why you cannot sign. This is normally done by the person filling in the application form on your behalf. Your passport will note that the holder does not have to sign.
• For more advice or if the person with parental responsibility is not able to give permission please see [ways to contact us](#contact}.

Section 10: Countersignature

Countersignatories.

A ‘countersignatory’ will need to fill in this section if you are applying:

• for a first British passport
• to replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport
• renew a child passport (if the child is aged 11 or under)
• to renew a passport (adult, or child aged 12 to 15 years) if you cannot be recognised from the photograph in your current passport
• to extend a passport

A countersignatory is someone who can confirm your identity. They need to confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, the details you have given in your application are correct, and they must also confirm that the photo is of you. For child applications (aged under 16) it is also to confirm that they have known, for at least 2 years, the adult who signed the declaration in section 9 of the application form. They must also confirm that the person has parental responsibility for the child and confirm the child’s photo is a true likeness.

The countersignatory must:

• have known you personally for at least 2 years (for example, a friend, neighbour or colleague, and not someone who is related to you or only knows you professionally)
• be a professional person (please see occupations for countersignatories
• live in the UK, and
• hold a British or Irish passport which has not run out.

The countersignatory needs to:

• read through the completed application form to make sure the information is accurate
• fill in section 10 of the form, giving their passport number, and then sign the box
• give their full address and contact details. This can be a business address or home address, but should be one that we can contact them at. The countersignatory can give an email address on a separate piece of paper if this is more convenient.
• for an adult application, ‘certify’ one (not both) of your photos by writing on the reverse “I certify that this is a true likeness of ——————, [signature], [Date]”
• for a child application (under 16), confirm that they have known the adult who signed the declaration in section 9 of the form for at least 2 years, and certify one photo (giving the child’s full name) by writing on the reverse “I certify that this is a true likeness of ——————, [signature], [Date]”
• put their initials next to any mistakes they may make in section 10.

The countersignatory must not:

• be related to you by birth or marriage (including in-laws or partners of family members)
• be in a personal relationship with you
• live at your address, or
• work for us at HM Passport Office.

What we do with the details of the countersignatory

As part of our work we will check that the countersignatory is genuine. This may include checking their passport and other records to confirm their identity and their profession or professional qualification.

Please make sure that your countersignatory knows that we may contact them and carry out these checks.

We may ask you to provide another application form with a different countersignatory if we are not satisfied with your choice of countersignatory or if we cannot contact them.

Accepted occupations for countersignatories

Your countersignatory must either:

• work in (or be retired from) a recognised profession
• be ‘a person of good standing in their community’

Recognised professions

Examples of recognised professions include:

• articled clerk of a limited company
• assurance agent of recognised company
• bank/building society official
• chairman/director of limited company chiropodist
• councillor, eg local or county
• civil servant (permanent)
• director/manager/personnel officer of a VAT
• registered company
• engineer – with professional qualifications
• financial services intermediary, eg a stockbroker or insurance broker
• fire service official
• funeral director
• insurance agent (full time) of a recognised company
• legal secretary – fellow or associate member of the Institute of Legal Secretaries and Pas
• holder of a valid premises or personal licence under the Licensing Act
• local government officer
• manager/personnel officer of a limited company
• member, associate or fellow of a professional body
• Member of Parliament
• Merchant Navy officer
• minister of a recognised religion – including Christian Science
• nurse – RGN or RMN
• officer of the armed services
• paralegal – certified paralegal, qualified paralegal or associate member of the Institute of Paralegals
• person with honours, eg an OBE or MBE
• photographer – professional
• police officer
• Post Office official
• president/secretary of a recognised organisation
• Salvation Army officer
• social worker
• teacher, lecturer
• trade union officer
• travel agent – qualified
• valuer or auctioneer – fellows and associate members of the incorporated society
• Warrant Officers and Chief Petty Officers

People who aren’t accepted

Your countersignatory can’t:

• work for HM Passport Office
• be a doctor or General Practitioner (GP), unless they state that they know you well (eg good friend) and that they recognise you easily from your photo

You can find more information at www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications

Documents you need to send us, including photos

You must check supporting documents guidance . Your application will be delayed if you do not send us all the right documents.

All applications need:

2 recent identical photos (which meet photo guidelines – see photo guidance )

Your last British passport or any valid passports that were issued in another country.

Change of name

If you have changed your name since the issue of your last British passport to get your passport in a new name you will need to send us documents that show the name change. If you are applying for your first British passport and have changed your name from birth, you will need to send us documents that show your name change. See page 16 for more information.

Avoid delays

• Send us original or replacement documents. Unless stated, we do not accept photocopies or documents that have been laminated. If you were born in the UK, documents must have been issued by the General Register Office for England and Wales or Scotland or Northern Ireland, or the local registration service.
• If you need to send a UK birth certificate and were born on or after 01/01/1983: it must be a full birth certificate. (This is the one that contains the details of both you and your parents.)
• If any document you are providing is in a language other than English or Welsh, also provide an official translation. This must be signed and stamped by a translator who is a member of a recognised professional organisation to prove it is genuine.
• We can’t accept damaged documents. You’ll need to send us a replacement document.

Replacement certificates

• To get copies of birth, marriage or death certificates issued in England or Wales, go to www.gov.uk/bmdcertificates
• To replace documents issued in Northern Ireland, go to www.nidirect.gov.uk and for Scotland go to www.nrscotland.gov.uk
• To replace documents issued abroad, get advice from the relevant embassy or consulate of that country.

We may contact you for more information if you don’t provide original documents.

Once we have considered your application, we may still need to ask you for more information.

Change of name table

You will have either changed your name from birth or have changed your name since the issue of your British passport. To get your passport in a new name you will need to send us documents that show the name change.

Have you changed your name by marriage or civil partnership?

If ‘yes’, send:

• Marriage certificate, or
• Civil partnership certificate

Are you are going back to your maiden or unmarried name? Or to a previous name once used?

• one document from List A
• a signed statement saying that you now use your maiden name for all purposes
• your birth certificate
• your marriage certificate showing both names
• your decree absolute (if applicable)
• evidence of all previous names from List B

Do you want to travel in your new name shortly after getting married or forming a civil partnership?

• Completed PD2 form (post dated form)
• See www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information for advice and to download the PD2 form

Are you changing the name on a child passport?

• a signed statement from everyone that has parental responsibility for the child saying they give permission to the name change, or
• a court order allowing the change of name

and both of the following:

• one piece of evidence from List A
• at least one piece of evidence from List B

Are you are changing the spelling of your name slightly? e.g. Bryan to Brian, changing the order your forenames appear in your passport or dropping a forename?

• one document from List A and one document from List B , or
• two documents from List A

Are you changing your name following gender re-assignment?

• Gender recognition certificate
• a new birth or adoption certificate showing your acquired gender

Or alternatively a letter from your doctor or medical consultant together with:

• one document from List A , and
• at least one document from List B

Are you changing your name for any other reason?

List a – please provide one document which confirms your name in current use.

• Tax record eg a letter from a tax authority
• National identity card or equivalent
• Employment record eg an official letter from your employer
• Visa or residence permit
• Educational record eg a school report
• Letter sent to you from a central, regional or local government department
• Driving Licence
• Medical/health card
• Voter’s card
• Bank statement
• Baptism/Confirmation certificate

List B – please provide one document that shows each name change that has taken place

• Marriage certificate
• Enrolled deed poll
• Change of name deed signed in both your old and new names
• Certificate of naturalisation or registration
• Statutory declaration or affidavit signed in your new name
• Birth certificate (upon re-registration)
• Certificate from the Court of the Lord Lyon of Scotland
• Adoption order/certificate

Once you’ve filled in your application

Passport fee.

The passport fee when applying from outside the UK depends on the type of application you are making. The fee is set in pounds sterling and payable at the time of applying. You will have to pay a courier fee to cover the cost of the return of your new passport and supporting documents. In some countries where you have to apply in person, the courier fee will cover the cost of forwarding your application to the UK for processing and the cost of returning the new passport to a local office, for you to collect. We cannot usually refund the fee if your application is unsuccessful or withdrawn. This is because we will already have carried out a lot of work in processing it.

Passport Ownership

The passport remains the property of the Crown at all times and can be cancelled at any time. If payment is unsuccessful we will cancel the passport and you will not be able to travel with it or use it for identity purposes.

For information on passport fees visit www. gov.uk/overseas-passports If you were born on or before 2 September 1929, you don’t have to pay for a standard 34- page passport. The passport and delivery to you will be free of charge.

You must pay in pounds sterling by credit card or debit card using the payment instruction form which you can download from www.gov.uk/ overseas-passports. The cards we accept are Mastercard, Visa, Electron, Diners Club and JCB.

Where to send

For details of where to send your application visit www.gov.uk/overseas-passports In some countries you will have to apply in person. For specific advice on where you need to go and what you need to bring with you visit www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

Delivery information Your new passport and supporting documents will be returned to you separately. Our courier will aim to deliver packages direct to customers. You should ensure that up to date, correct contact details are included in the passport application form. In some countries you will have to collect your new passport from a local office. For specific advice on where you need to go and what you need to bring with you visit www.gov.uk/ overseas-passports If our courier has got your package you can track it, or find full delivery information at: www.logistics.dhl/gb-en/hmpo If you need to have your passport and supporting documents delivered to the UK please contact the Passport Adviceline for further information.

• take responsibility for applications and supporting documentation which go missing on their way to us. We can only take responsibility once we have received the application and supporting documents into our care. Proof of posting is not proof of delivery.
• replace any documents that you report as missing 6 months after we have issued the passport; or
• accept responsibility for passports and supporting documents which are not delivered if you quote an incorrect address or do not tell

If you need to contact us you will need to give us the barcode number from the front of your application form.

We will need to ask you personal information to verify your identity when you contact us to check the progress of your application form.

Passport advice

• For advice or to get a large print, Braille or audio version of this booklet, please call the passport adviceline on 0300 222 0000. (Calls to this number will be charged at the normal rate you pay for national calls.)
• Textphone on 0300 222 0222 or Text Relay on 18001 0300 222 0000 (for customers who are deaf or hard of hearing).

Travel advice

Travel advice is provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. For detailed, up-to-date information:

• visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Advice includes information on when a passport is valid, visa information and requirements to enter certain countries, and information on health, insurance, and money when you travel.

Other information

Protecting your personal information.

Your identity and personal information are valuable. We protect your privacy and process your personal information in line with data protection legislation including the General Data Protection Regulation. Your personal information will only be seen by those who have a legitimate reason for seeing it. We will check the information you give us with other government departments and a credit-reference agency to help us check your identity. We may also pass the information you give us to UK law enforcement agencies or government departments involved in preventing fraud to help prevent or detect identity theft, fraud or other criminal activity. You can find details about the personal information we hold, how we protect it, who we pass it to and how you can get a copy of that information and other rights in our Privacy Information Notice (PIN) on our website. You may be contacted by HM Passport Office for additional information or to ask you about our service at a later stage. For more information or to find out how to opt out please visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmpoprivacy-information-notice . You can get a printed copy of the information by writing to us at:

Disclosure of Information Section HM Passport Office Aragon Court Northminster Road Peterborough PE1 1QG

Service standards

Providing a high level of service to all our customers is very important to us. We sometimes make mistakes, or circumstances beyond our control affect the standards of service. When this happens, we will apologise and do everything we can to put things right. We welcome your feedback on any aspect of our service, including how we can improve in the future. We have a disability equality scheme which sets out clear and specific aims about how we will promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities. Your views are important to us, please contact us by phone, letter, or email if you have any ideas or suggestions to help us improve.

What you can expect from us:

• our staff will be polite, helpful and professional.
• the details in your passport (including the chip) will be correct and we will return your supporting documents using the delivery method you choose.
• we will give you a clear and helpful explanation if you are refused a British passport because of citizenship or other reasons.

Complaints about passports

If you have a complaint about how we handled your passport application, please contact our Customer Service Management Team by phone, in writing or by using our online enquiry form.

If you have followed step one and are not satisfied with our response, you can ask us to review your complaint.

If you have followed steps one and two and are still not satisfied, you may ask your Member of Parliament (MP) to raise the matter with our Director General.

If you are still not satisfied, you can ask your MP to request an investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (the Ombudsman). You can only do this through your MP. The Ombudsman’s role is to investigate complaints by members of the public about the way government departments, and their executive agencies, have treated them.

Compensation

We realise that sometimes our mistakes may cause you expense or financial loss. In these cases, you should follow the instructions in step one and write us a letter. With the letter you should send any documents that prove your claim (for example, a receipt to show a cancelled flight). We only normally offer compensation for financial loss as a result of delays in our guaranteed (Fast-track and Premium) services.

Phone: 0300 222 0000

Textphone: 0300 222 0222

Text Relay: 18001 0300 222 0000

HM Passport Office PO Box 767 SOUTHPORT PR8 9PW

Online: complete our online enquiry form .

When you write to us, please provide:

• full details of the problem
• the name and date of birth of the person the passport was for
• the date the application form was sent to us
• which of our offices the application form was sent to
• the barcode number from the application form, if you have a note of it
• the passport number, if you have one
• information so we can contact you (name, address, postcode, day and evening phone numbers, and email address if you have these), and
• the date and time of your appointment and an appointment reference number if you visited one of our offices to get your passport.

When we receive your complaint, we will investigate and let you know what went wrong and advise you what we are doing to put things right. We will write to you within 10 working days from receiving your complaint, either with a full reply or to let you know what is happening if we have not finished our investigation.

Identity Interviews

If you are 16 or over, or likely to become 16 before we can issue your passport, you may need to have an identity interview. However we may ask anyone to attend an identity interview. The interview will help us to confirm your identity and that the passport application we have checked actually belongs to you. This is an important part of our commitment to help to reduce identity fraud. It will help us to spot and prevent other people using your identity and committing fraud in your name. This process will increase the time it takes for us to process your application. We will contact you if you need to have an identity interview. Our email/letter will explain how to make an appointment, and give options on where your interview can take place. Interviews can be held in the UK or overseas over a video link connection. Your interview will be carried out in English and your email/letter will give important information so you know what to expect and what you need to do next. This includes what you need to bring such as any additional documents. If you have a mental or physical condition that would prevent you from taking part in an identity interview, please let us know in section 8 of the application form. You should also provide a letter from your doctor or hospital consultant explaining your condition and if this is likely to be permanent or if an improvement can be expected.

If you would like to learn more about identity interviews you can find out at www.gov.uk/apply-first-adult-passport

A checklist before you send in your application

Make a note of your application number on the front page of this guidance booklet. Your application number can be found on the front of your form under the barcode number. You will need this number should you need to contact us. You must send us:

A correctly filled-in application form

All sections should be completed as detailed in ‘Which type of passport are you applying for and what sections to complete’

The form has been signed and dated at section 9, and 6 if applicant is aged 12-15.

If the application is for a child, the adult signing the declaration must have parental responsibility for the child.

If a countersignatory is needed they have fully completed section 10 and correctly certified, signed and dated one photo. See countersignatory section .

2 recent identical photos

(which meet photo guidelines )

The correct documents

Use the checklist for what documents you need to send us .

The correct fee

For information on passport fees visit www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

The correct address to send your form

In some countries you will have to apply in person, visit www.gov.uk/overseas-passports to find out where you need to take your form or where you need to send it

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The Key Differences Between A Passport Card & A Passport Book

• Choose a passport card if you frequently travel by land and sea within Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
• Passport cards are cheaper than a passport book.
• Get both a passport book and a card if you travel by air and land equally.

The US passport book, expressly designed for international travel, accommodates air, sea, or land journeys. This compact, easily portable booklet starts with a page dedicated to the traveler's personal details, such as name, date of birth, and photograph.

Pages are allocated for immigration stamps and visas, which serve as official entry and exit records from different countries. Modern versions of the passport book include an electronic chip to enhance security and facilitate quick processing at borders. This chip contains a digital replica of the information displayed on the personal details page.

The US also offers a passport card for individuals who primarily travel by land or sea to nearby countries, such as Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. This wallet-sized card is a convenient, more compact alternative to the traditional passport book. It's important to note that the passport card cannot be used for air travel; it is specifically designed for land and sea travel.

Both the passport book and the passport card have a validity period of ten years for adults, ensuring travelers can use their documents for numerous trips, making international travel smooth and efficient. Additionally, choosing between a passport book and a passport card—or to obtain both—allows travelers to select the document that best suits their travel needs, preferences, and habits.

5 Exotic Destinations Americans Can Fly To Without A Passport

Which passport should you get: book or card.

Consider your travel habits when deciding between a passport book and a passport card . If you frequently travel by air or have plans to visit countries beyond Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, a passport book is preferable. However, a passport card might be sufficient for your needs if you primarily travel by land or sea to nearby destinations.

Passport books are more expensive than cards. First-time applicants must pay an application fee and an acceptance fee. The acceptance fee goes to the facility that takes your application, and the application fee goes to the US Department of State.

Passport book cost for first-time applicants

• For adults (16 and older): $165
• For children (15 and under): $135

Passport card cost for first-time applicants

• For adults (16 and older): $65
• For children (15 and under): $50

Acceptance fees are dropped for renewal of both the passport book and card. Travelers can expect to pay $130 to renew an adult passport book and just $30 to renew an adult passport card.

When to get both a passport book and passport card

The passport book is the all-encompassing identifier to carry regardless of where you travel. Having both passport types might be convenient, like if you travel equally by air and land. If you’re visiting Canada or Mexico by car, you might prefer a more compact document for traveling across the border. A passport card for regular land-based trips would be helpful.

Validity and renewal

Both documents are valid for ten years for adults and five years for children. If you already have a passport, you may be eligible to renew it . You can also correct incorrect information or report your lost or stolen passport . The routine processing time for a passport is six to eight weeks.

You can expedite the process, which takes two to three weeks and costs an extra $60. It is essential to consider the time to get a passport when booking travel. It may take up to two weeks for applications to arrive at a passport agency or center, and it may take up to two weeks for you to receive a completed passport after printing.

Requirements for renewing your passport

• Your passport is not damaged.
• You have never reported your passport lost or stolen
• It was issued within the last 15 years.
• It was issued when you were 16 years or older.
• It was published under your current name.

Renew by mail

• Confirm you meet the requirements
• Fill out your renewal form online
• Submit your most recent passport
• Provide a photo
• Calculate fees
• Submit application
• Enroll in email updates for tracking details

Using a passport card for domestic travel:

On May 7, 2025, US travelers must have a REAL ID to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. US passport books and cards are valid forms of ID for domestic air travel, but the card is more convenient to carry. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts the passport card as ID for domestic flights in the United States.

Department Of Homeland Security Extends REAL ID Deadline Another Two Years

When deciding on the best option for your travel documentation, consider the nature of your travel. A passport book is likely the most versatile and universally accepted form of identification and travel document. On the other hand, a passport card could be a more convenient and cost-effective choice if your travels mainly involve crossing borders by land or sea, especially to destinations like Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. The passport card is smaller and easier to carry for day trips or frequent land and sea crossings, but it's important to note that it cannot be used for international air travel.

Protect Your Trip »

Here's when you need (and don't need) a passport to cruise.

It's the type of sailing – closed-loop or open-loop – that largely determines whether or not you need a passport to cruise.

Do You Need a Passport for a Cruise?

Getty Images

A passport isn't always required for cruising.

To determine whether or not you need a passport to cruise, you first need to figure out if the itinerary is closed-loop or open-loop (also known as open-jaw).

Closed-loop cruise: A closed-loop cruise typically doesn't require a passport since it begins and ends in the same U.S. port (though there are some exceptions to this rule).

Example: Royal Caribbean International 's seven-night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise stops in several countries – the Bahamas, Jamaica, Haiti and Grand Cayman – but the itinerary is considered closed-loop because it starts and ends in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Open-loop cruise: An open-loop cruise begins in one U.S. port and ends in a different U.S. port.

Example: Carnival Cruise Line 's 16-day Panama Canal from Seattle itinerary is not considered closed-loop because it departs from Seattle and completes its journey in New Orleans.

All of the above regulations have been determined by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: a plan by the departments of State and Homeland Security that determines which documents are acceptable for proving identity and citizenship when entering the United States.

Where to cruise without a passport

There are several destinations where you can cruise without a passport on a closed-loop sailing. They include the following:

• The Bahamas

When looking at cruises to these locations, be mindful of the home ports. The Bahamas, Mexico, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Canada are all foreign ports, which means they only qualify for the passport exception if they are a stop along your cruise itinerary . If the cruise originates in any of these countries, it is likely you will need a passport.

Since Alaska, Hawaii and New England are all U.S. destinations, any closed-loop routes departing from these locations will not require a passport. However, keep in mind that it can be hard to find closed-loop cruises originating in Hawaii or Alaska.

To find closed-loop itineraries for a Hawaiian voyage or Alaskan cruise , try searching for sailings departing from major cities on the West Coast, like Seattle or Los Angeles . By contrast, quite a few closed-loop cruises leave from New England ports, but they are often marketed as Canadian cruises.

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When you need a passport for closed-loop cruises

Some cruise itineraries include foreign ports that require a passport for disembarkation. This is most commonly an issue for travelers on a closed-loop Caribbean cruise. Barbados , Guadeloupe , Haiti, Martinique , St. Barts , and Trinidad and Tobago all require U.S. citizens to present a valid passport to disembark and enter the country, despite WHTI regulations not requiring a passport for these destinations. Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private island , is an exception and does not require a passport despite its location in Haiti.

If your itinerary includes a country requiring a U.S. passport, your cruise line will require you to have the passport at check-in. Note that your passport must not expire within six months of your arrival in a foreign country or else it won't be considered valid for international travel.

Read: The Easiest Way to Renew Your Passport

Acceptable forms of ID

All travelers – U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike – must present documents that show identity and citizenship when entering the United States. A U.S. passport can show both. If you don't have one or don't want to bring one, be aware that you may need to present more than one document.

U.S. citizens 16 and older

If you're a U.S. citizen age 16 or older sailing on a closed-loop cruise without your passport, you will need a government-issued photo ID like a driver's license. In addition, you must present a document that proves your U.S. citizenship. These include:

• Passport card
• State-issued enhanced driver's license (EDL)
• Government-issued birth certificate
• Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST)
• American Indian Card (Form I-872) or Enhanced Tribal ID Card

The Trusted Traveler Programs are risk-based programs to facilitate the entry of travelers who have been vetted and preapproved. Most of these programs will provide you with a machine-readable card that allows you to pass through border checkpoints quickly. Keep in mind, some of these IDs are only available to travelers 16 and older.

Read: TSA Precheck vs. Global Entry

U.S. citizens younger than 16

U.S. citizens younger than 16 are only required to present proof of citizenship, such as one of the following documents:

• Original, notarized or certified copy of their government-issued birth certificate
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by U.S. Department of State
• Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Read: How to Get a Passport for Kids

Non-U.S. citizens

If you are a lawful permanent resident (or LPR) of the United States, you are required to present a permanent resident card or other valid evidence of permanent residence status.

Non-U.S. citizens, with the exception of Canadians and Mexicans, are not subject to passport exceptions, so a valid passport will need to be provided. Canadian citizens can present a valid passport, Enhanced Driver's License or Trusted Traveler Program card. Mexican citizens must present a passport with a visa or a Border Crossing Card.

Unacceptable forms of ID

While most common forms of identification are accepted, there are a few exceptions. U.S. military identification cards and U.S. Merchant Mariner documents are valid forms of identification, but only when traveling on official orders or in conjunction with official maritime business, so it is unlikely they will be accepted when traveling on a cruise.

Here are some other documents that will not be accepted as proof of citizenship:

• Voter registration cards
• Social Security cards
• Baptismal papers
• Hospital certificates of birth (for anyone older than a newborn)

It is important to note that many of the permitted forms of identification, such as a passport card or EDL, are only accepted at land and sea border crossings. Unforeseen circumstances, such as a medical air evacuation, may cause you to return to the U.S. by air travel. In this case, these documents won't be accepted when you try to reenter at the border crossing.

To avoid extra delays in your return to the U.S. following unforeseen travel complications, the Department of State recommends that everyone taking a cruise from the United States carry a valid passport book in case of emergency.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Erin Vasta has traveled extensively to international destinations, gaining a deep knowledge of travel regulations in the process. Her expertise in this area has saved her family and friends from unnecessary travel delays and ensured stress-free trips through border security in nearly 15 countries. To write this article, Vasta used her international travel experience and research skills.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Passport Holders
• Cruise Packing List: Essentials to Bring
• Safe at Sea: The Best Cruise Insurance

Tags: Travel , Travel Tips

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