British holidaymakers warned of price hike for passport applications that come into effect within weeks
Passport application fees could jump by seven percent ahead of summer holidays under new proposals, Britons have been warned.
The cost of standard applications made within the UK for individuals aged 16 and above will increase from £82.50 to £88.50 under current proposals, which are subject to parliamentary approval.
A standard postal application will increase to £100 for adults and £69 for children, the Home Office announced. These changes would come into effect as early as April 11.
Assuming that the price hike is approved, the cost of a passport for children under 16 could increase to £57.50, up from £53.50 currently.
Passport application fees could increase within weeks
The price hike will also affect UK citizens applying for a passport through postal application from overseas, who will have to pay £101 for adults and £65.50 for children.
The Home Office explained: “The new fees will help ensure that income from these applications better meets the cost of delivering passports and associated operations, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation.
“The Government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.
“The fees contribute to the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas including for lost or stolen passports and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders.
“The increase will also help enable the Government to continue improving its services.”
It comes just over a year after passport fees rose by nine per cent, in February 2023. The price increase was implemented on new passports and renewals.
A forewarning about the price hike was issued by the Government in January, which received backlash on social media.
One X user said: “Apparently passport fees are going up in February. Everything increasing except our salaries.”
Another user added: “Well that’s just brilliant. As if we don’t have enough to pay for already.”
A third person quipped: “British people having to cough up and pay for your [Government] failures with the introduction of the new passport fees from February. Pathetic as always.”
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The cost of applications for a UK passport will increase for individuals aged 16 and above
The UK currently has the 12th most expensive passport in the world, according to the Global Passport Fees 2023 list.
Greece also shares the 12th place in the survey as it charged adults £84 for an adult passport.
A passport application in Australia sets citizens back £192, making it the most expensive passport in the world.
Mexico, which charges citizens £142, holds the title for the second most expensive passport internationally, according to the 2023 survey.
