British High Commission in NZ urges Ex-pat brits to check passports

With COVID travel constraints now mainly lifted throughout the globe there has been a surge in British citizens travelling, particularly to Europe for the northern hemisphere summer months. This has led to more time hold out moments to approach vacation files.

Even though the British High Commission in Wellington is not concerned in the renewal or issuing of passports, it is reminding the believed additional than 250,000 British folks in New Zealand to verify that their passports are up to day – and to let a good deal of time to utilize for new documents from the British isles if not.

“This will be the very first time that lots of United kingdom citizens in New Zealand have travelled abroad because the start of the pandemic and several may not have even appeared at their passports for a couple of decades,” says Sam Pass, Deputy High Commissioner. “Get it out of the drawer and make absolutely sure every thing is up to date. If it isn’t, use as quickly as feasible to make certain this doesn’t ruin your journey plans and your documents get there in time.”

“We are keen to remind British citizens in NZ of the essential methods they require to take to have a secure and pleasurable excursion – this kind of as checking UK governing administration journey tips, producing positive their passport is valid for their journey dates and having out vacation coverage.”

Her Majesty’s Passport Workplace in the British isles recently introduced that it is going through history demand from customers. Far more than 5 million British folks delayed implementing for passports for the duration of COVID-19 because of limits in journey – and the business anticipates that 9.5 million British passport apps will be built this calendar year. The suggestions is to apply on the net for a new passport effectively ahead of you are due to vacation. For case in point, those people scheduling on travelling to the British isles this calendar year to see family members at Xmas must utilize now.

“While we do present consular aid to British isles nationals we are not able to help with passport renewals, which are only issued in the British isles,” suggests Pauline Comber, Consular Manager at the Wellington Significant Commission. “Holidays are not like they use to be, they are still enjoyable, but now you have to do a whole lot a lot more pre departure checks. And the very first detail must be to test your passport.”

The information to verify the validity of passports comes on top of a modern marketing campaign by the British isles governing administration to be certain its citizens remain risk-free although touring. The marketing campaign urges Brits to look at the COVID necessities for nations they are traveling to, make sure they meet visa needs, read through the government’s journey guidance for the countries they are heading to, and to purchase journey coverage.