What passports are included in the 3 week wait advice?
The government advises you to allow 3 weeks for UK passport applications. However, this time frame will be different if you’re applying from outside the UK.
On their website they say they’ll update you if your application is going to take longer than 3 weeks.
So How Long Does it Actually Take Receive Your Passport in 2025?
The question we all want to know the answer to.
We did some research to give an idea of what you can expect. We chose to look at adult renewal passports only, simply as there are so many options that it quickly becomes difficult to glean any helpful findings!
Therefore, last year we heard from 219 Cheap Holiday Expert followers who had applied for an adult renewal passport, and here’s what they had to share.
95% received their passports within 3 weeks
The results showed that 95% of respondents received their passports within 3 weeks, with around 82% of them receiving their adult passport within just 2 weeks.
On average respondents received their new passport in 12 days.
However, there is even a chance that your passport could arrive in as little as a week, with 25.6% of respondents receiving theirs within this time frame.
Time it took respondents to receive their renewed adult passport
Within 1 Week | Within 2 Weeks | Within 3 Weeks | Within 4 Weeks | Over 4 Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
25.6% | 82.2% | 95% | 98.2% | 2.3% |
How many people waited over 4 weeks to renew a passport?
5 respondents waited over 4 weeks to receive their new passport.
One of these respondents expressed that their passport took longer than a month to arrive because they had to submit extra documents, and the delay wasn’t on the part of the passport office.
What factors may contribute to an adult renewal passport delay?
To receive your passport as quickly as possible, you need to have everything ready. Initially, that means a photo, your application where you enter your details and send off additional documents, such as your old passport. In addition, you may need someone to confirm your identity or be requested to attend an interview.
It’s these additional areas – the documents and possible confirmations – that can really slow down some applications.
Some applicants may wait a few weeks to send off their old passports, which can delay their overall waiting time. For some people it can also take a few attempts for them to get their passport photo approved.
How long does it take to receive the old passport back?
As well as your new one, the passport office will send your old passport back to you – as you may need this if you have a Visa that’s still valid in it.
On average, respondents reported that it took 3.7 days for their passport tracking page to update and show their old passport as ‘received.’
We found that on average it took less than a week for people to receive their old passport back.
Is the Fast Track service worth it?
The fast track service can help speed up your application. There are two options: a 1-day processing time (which typically takes around 3 days, as you need to wait at least 2 days for an appointment) and a 7-day processing time.
Interestingly, 4.6% of respondents received their new passport within 3 days without using fast track, and 25.6% got theirs within 7 days without paying extra.
That said, if you need your new passport within 3 or 7 days, it’s still worth considering the fast track service to be on the safe side.
How to limit delay for your new UK passport
Whether you’re looking to renew an adult or child passport, or apply for your very first one, the key is to read all the instructions and apply correctly the first time.
The last thing you want to hear is that you need to send extra documents, that the photo you submitted hasn’t been accepted, or your old passport still hasn’t reached the Passport office.
Here’s how to ensure a smooth application process:
Prepare your additional documents
Have all your additional documents prepared and ready to send before even starting your application.
Get your passport photo right
Ensure your passport picture follows the guidelines so you don't have to take a new photo and submit it again. You can take the photo yourself if submitting online or use a photo booth but it’s more likely to get approved if you use a passport photo service with an actual person taking the photo.
Send additional documents at same time as your application
If you need to send additional documents, don't hang around - get them sent and sorted the same day that you're applying for your new passport.
Send additional documents with special delivery
Send additional documents like your old passport with a first class, next day, signed delivery service. This can lower the chances of you having any hiccups with delivering your documents.
Check passport tracking for updates
Be diligent about checking the passport tracking service and your emails. You don't want an update that you need to take action on, sitting there for days without you knowing.
Opt for Fast Track or Premium
If you've really left it too late, you can opt for a fast track service and receive your passport in 7 days, or choose the Online Premium service for an even speedier 3 day turnaround. However, both of these options will cost you!
Who did we speak to for our study?
We received over 200 valid responses from individuals applying for a UK Adult Passport Renewal in 2024. We chose this one category (adult passport renewals) so that we could give specific details on expected wait times.
Thank you so much to everyone who participated and helped make this possible. You can be involved in future studies by following us on Instagram.
