Almost one in five UK passports need extra information

Global Work & Travel said an analysis of Home Office figures showed that almost one in five standard UK passports issued over a three-month period required further information before being granted. The review covered 353,236 passports issued after applications made in the UK.

The figures came from Home Office transparency data on 1,772,052 standard passports issued following UK applications. On that basis, 19.9% of issued passports involved a request for extra information during the application process.

The data covers only passports that were ultimately issued. It does not show why further information was requested or whether applicants made mistakes, and it does not establish whether the requests caused delays.

HM Passport Office says people applying in the UK will usually receive their passport within three weeks, although cases can take longer if more information or an interview is needed. It also says processing begins when it receives an applicant's documents.

Jürgen Himmelmann, Co-founder of Global Work & Travel, said travellers should view a passport application as an ongoing process rather than a single form submission.

"The useful lesson for travellers is to treat a passport application as a process to follow through. Submitting the form is one step. You may still need to send documents, arrange for someone to confirm your identity or respond to a question.

"Set aside time to read the instructions for your application, gather the paperwork and keep your reference somewhere easy to find. Checking for updates afterwards is just as important as filling in the form carefully.

"A request for further information can be a normal part of checking an application. Read it carefully and respond to exactly what has been asked. If anything is unclear, get clarification from HM Passport Office."

Application checks

Drawing on current government guidance, Himmelmann set out five checks for applicants before and after they apply. The advice covers documents, photographs, identity confirmation, tracking and travel timing.

On documents, he said applicants should follow the list for their type of application rather than rely on another person's experience. A first adult passport application can require different evidence from a renewal, and official guidance says applicants need original documents or official replacement copies of certificates rather than ordinary photocopies. Documents that are not in English or Welsh also require a certified translation.

Photo rules are another area where applicants need to take care. Digital passport photos must have been taken within the last month, be in colour and remain unaltered by software. Applicants must also check the rules on background, facial expression and lighting.

Identity confirmation can also affect an application's progress. Where an applicant is asked to nominate someone to confirm their identity, Himmelmann said they should check that person meets the eligibility requirements and is ready to respond to the request.

He also advised applicants to keep their application reference number and monitor the official tracking service linked to the route they used to apply. That includes checking email folders for any message asking for more information and following any deadline set out in official correspondence.

Travel timing

The analysis also carries a warning about booking travel before a valid passport is in hand. HM Passport Office guidance says applicants should allow time not only for processing but also for gathering and sending supporting documents, because the standard three-week timeframe starts only after those papers are received.

That means application timelines can stretch beyond the headline turnaround period, particularly if extra information is requested or an interview is required. The Home Office figures do not indicate how many of the 353,236 cases took longer than usual, but they do show that requests for more information were common among passports that were eventually issued.

Himmelmann said passport planning should begin early in the travel booking process.

"Passport preparation belongs at the start of planning a trip. Having the right paperwork ready and keeping track of the application gives you more time to deal with any questions before you travel," he said.