When Should I Renew My British Passport?
Updated February 22, 2021 -- Please see COVID-19 section on the bottom of the page for the latest information regarding how fast you can renew your British passport from the United States.
We often get asked this question and advise that you should renew your British passport before the expiration date. It is a good idea to keep your passport up-to-date so you are not scrambling at the last minute to renew your passport before an important trip.
Many countries require you to have a passport with at least 6 months validity upon arrival at their port of entry. Furthermore, some countries require travel visas prior to entry. For example, if you reside in the United States and want to obtain a tourist or business visa to travel to China, you must have at least 6 months validity on your passport prior to the date of entry.
The requirements for Russia are even more demanding. To get a visa, your passport must be valid at least 6 months before your planned departure from Russia. For visa requirements of other countries, please refer to the UK government website: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also advise you to contact the airline or cruise line to ask about any special requirements they have for your country of destination.
If your British passport is expiring soon and you have an upcoming trip, please call us at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment online so we can help renew it. We can also assist with travel visas for countries like China, Russia and many others through our sister company Visa Supply.
COVID-19 Update
The current processing time for British passports is four to six weeks. If you live in the United States and cannot wait four to six weeks for a new passport because you have an emergency, your only option is to schedule an appointment at the British consulate and appear in person at their office to apply for an emergency travel document (emergency passport). Please be aware that appointments are limited and restrictions apply. You can review the U.K. government’s website for more details: Get an emergency travel document - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
