Until now, passport renewals have taken into account up to nine months’ validity of the old document, which can be added on ahead of the expiry date.
However, starting this week, this practice has been dropped. BBC Radio 5 Live reported that the policy changed on Monday – without any notice being given.
A Home Office spokesperson told TTG on Thursday that a statement would be issued later today.
The new rules may penalise those travelling to countries that stipulate a six-month validity, as travellers can currently renew well in advance of travel without penalty. The changes may lead to a surge in applications shortly before the peak travel season.
The Independent reports that one possible motive behind the change is a wish to limit the validity of maroon EU passports issued before Brexit on March 29 next year.
