Passport application fee changes – What you need to know

The UK Government have announced upcoming passport application fee changes, effective from 11 April 2024. These changes apply to both online and paper passport applications and reflect ongoing efforts to improve service delivery and cover associated operational costs. The government says the increase helps to cover the cost of making and processing passports while improving their services. The idea is to make sure taxpayers aren’t paying for these costs, only the people who are using the services.

What’s going to change?

From 11 April 2024, the new fees will be:

•  Adult online application: Increasing from £82.50 to £88.50
• Child online application: Increasing from £53.50 to £57.50
• Adult paper application: Increasing from £93 to £100
• Child paper application: Increasing from £64 to £69

Implications for employees:

Planning travel in advance

If you’re thinking about booking a trip, check your passport now. If it’s close to expiring, it might be worth renewing before the price goes up. The same goes for your children’s passports. It’s also worth noting there may be more delays in receiving your passport(s) due to an influx of demand.

Holiday planning and annual leave requests

As people start planning holidays, there could be a large influx of requests for annual leave. It’s a good idea to get your dates in early to get the dates you want. Also, don’t leave passport renewals to the last minute, delays could mess up your plans.

Financial considerations

Although the price increase isn’t drastic, it may affect budgeting for families or employees renewing multiple passports. Being aware of the changes means you can budget ahead of time.

Business travel preparation

If your job involves travel, double check that your passport is valid well in advance. The higher costs and possible delays might affect work trip planning and have negative implications on your company/work.

Implications for employers:

Increased volume of holiday requests

As people start planning holidays, some may rush to renew passports before the price goes up. Others may leave it late and face delays. This could lead to:

• More staff asking for time off around the same time.
• Some people may need emergency leave if passport delays mess up their travel plans.

Combat this by sharing the government update with your teams, and encouraging staff to check their passports and to book holidays in advance.

Delays with work travel

If your employees travel abroad for work, expired or delayed passports could cause:

• Business trips being postponed or cancelled.
• Extra costs if you cover passport fees or fast track services for work-related travel.

Combat this by asking employees to double-check their passport dates early, especially when travelling for for work.

Hiring processes and ID checks

Some roles need up-to-date passports for ID or security checks. If a new hire doesn’t have a valid passport, it could delay their start date or right-to-work checks.

Combat this by reminding new starters to check their documents early and allow extra time in your onboarding process just in case.

Key takeaway

With the new passport fees starting 11 April, now’s the time to check your passport and get ahead of any potential issues. A little planning now could save you money and stress later, whether you’re going on holiday or travelling for work.

Read all about it on the government website 

At Cavendish Professionals, we are always hiring new talent. Please make sure to check the expiration date on your passport when applying for a new role.