Irish holidaymakers are being urged to ensure their passports are up-to-date before locking in any travel plans. With the Easter and summer holiday season on the horizon, it's essential to verify your passport's validity well in advance of packing your bags and buying sun cream.
Securing a new passport can be a time-consuming process, so it's advised to start early if you need a renewal. Currently, the processing time for a 'simple adult renewal' stands at 10 working days, while first-time applicants may face a wait of up to 20 days.
Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, has sounded an urgent call to those planning to travel abroad soon. During his visit to the Passport Office in Balbriggan, North County Dublin, the Fine Gael TD emphasised the importance of checking passports ahead of booking any trips.
"Many families will be travelling over Easter and during the summer. I encourage everyone planning their holidays, particularly those travelling with young children, to check their passports in plenty of time before their travel date," he stated. He also recommended: "When renewing your passport, always do so with Passport Online for the fastest turnaround."
Minister Richmond has shone a light on the recent strides made by the Passport Service, drawing attention to their new initiative called "Don't Be that Person". This campaign urges travellers to ensure their passports are up-to-date well in advance of travelling, reports RSVP Live.
It also advocates for the use of Passport Online, which is touted as the "quickest, easiest and least expensive way" for people both at home and abroad to apply.
He underscored the efficiency of online applications, noting they are processed faster than postal submissions, which could take over eight weeks plus mailing time. A significant achievement was marked in 2024 when the service issued its one-millionth passport, and this year alone has seen more than 175,000 passports distributed, with 22 per cent of these going to children.
Renewing an Irish passport has become a breeze with the online system, accessible globally. Nonetheless, adults whose passports have been expired for more than five years and were initially issued over 15 years ago need to reapply as first-time applicants, adhering to data protection regulations.
For those in urgent need of renewal, it's possible to book appointments at the Passport Offices in Dublin or Cork. These offices offer expedited services with turnaround times of one day in Dublin and four days in Cork.
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
English (United States) ·