Brits warned to make two urgent passport checks before going on holiday this summer
Topics: Martin Lewis, Travel, Life Hacks
Kya Buller
Featured Image Credit: Matt Cardy/Getty Images/Weedezign/Getty Images
Topics: Martin Lewis, Travel, Life Hacks
Eager holidaymakers have been issued a stern passport warning, and all travellers should be aware of it in order to ensure nothing gets in the way of their summer holiday.
When it comes to prepping for our holidays, we have a mental checklist of things to consider.
It usually includes things like making sure we've paid for the right kind of baggage allowance to avoid those absolutely horrifying charges at the boarding gate, or making sure we've meticulously siphoned off our liquids into travel sized bottles.
When we're feeling very organised, sometimes we even use the 3-3-3 packing hack in order to make our lives even easier.
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Though sometimes, it's the most important things that catch us out.
It's obvious that we can't travel without our passports, so it's very important that we're 100 percent certain that we've packed them (of course), and that they're valid for use.
Money saving expert Martin Lewis has issued an urgent warning about our passports.
He said: "Check your passport will be valid - it's got stricter.
"There are two important checks you should make, it's all about the day you enter the country."
He continued: "Will there be over 6 months left (3 months for EU)?"
Then added: "Even if so, will your passport be less than 10 years old?"
He went on to explain: "If you said no to either, it's worth checking our country-by-country UK passport rules to ensure you won't be sent back at the border.
"Yes, it happens."
He then went on to add that someone had emailed in to 'tell us she missed the first four days of her £6,500 cruise after being denied her flight because her passport was just over 10 years old'.
And if you need to renew your passport, time is of the essence.
Lewis added: "Need to renew? Don't dawdle.
"The Passport Office says you should allow 'up to three weeks' - but it can take longer."
There's also more rules to consider if you're travelling to the United States, with Lewis reminding travellers that it's imperative to check the latest rules on ESTA visas and making sure you get it all done in good time.
An ESTA is an online form you must fill out in advance in order to discover whether you're eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
It costs $21 (£16), and is valid for 90 days.