Birmingham Airport is urging passengers to check if their passport is valid before arriving at the airport. The call comes as part of a reminder about international travel requirements, particularly for those heading to the European Union.
For British citizens, a passport must typically be valid for 3 to 6 months beyond the planned return date, depending on the destination. A standard UK adult passport lasts for 10 years, while a child passport is valid for 5 years.
Renewal Process and Timelines
Passengers can submit a renewal application online through GOV.UK, which typically takes around 3 weeks to process. The airport advises travellers to check their passport well in advance of their trip to allow sufficient time for renewal if needed.
In a video shared on Instagram, Birmingham Airport said: "If you're traveling to the EU from Birmingham Airport, it's important to make sure your passport is valid for travel. The earlier you check, the longer you have to get your passport renewed if needed."
Different Rules for Different Destinations
When travelling, there are different rules around the time you need to have left on your passport before it expires and the date it was issued. For adult passports, they are valid for 10 years from the date of issue, while child passports are valid for 5 years from the date of issue (for under-16s).
Passports issued before September 2018 may have extra months added from an unexpired previous passport, lasting up to 10 years and 9 months. This can affect the validity calculations for travel to the EU and Schengen area.
EU and Schengen Area Requirements
For the EU and Schengen area, your passport must be less than 10 years old on your arrival date and have at least 3 months left when you leave. This means that even if your passport has extra months from a previous passport, the 10-year rule still applies from the issue date.
Passengers are advised to check their passport's issue and expiry dates before booking or travelling. The airport's reminder highlights the importance of early verification to avoid disruption at the airport.
