Travel options for going abroad are slowly starting to reopen. From 17 May 2021, international leisure travel from England will no longer be illegal but strict border control measures remain in place. There are 3 different levels of restrictions for travelling abroad and returning to the UK based on traffic light system designation of green, amber and red countries. Business travel is also expected to show some slow growth spurts as the requirements become slightly less onerous.
Given these changes, now might be a good time to check if your passport needs to be renewed. Due to coronavirus, it is currently taking up to 10 weeks for passports to be issued. It takes longer for postal applications to be processed than online applications. There are also premium services available at an additional cost.
The current fees for a new passport are as follows:
| Type of passport | Apply online | Apply by paper form |
| Adult (16 and over) standard 34-page | £75.50 | £85 |
| Adult (16 and over) 50-page frequent traveller | £85.50 | £95 |
| Child (under 16) standard 34-page | £49 | £58.50 |
| Child (under 16) 50-page frequent traveller | £59 | £68.50 |
| For people born on or before 2 September 1929 | Free | Free |
