Martin Lewis has given Brits a key bit of advice if they need a new passport, but their application been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The founder of MoneySavingExpert.com told viewers of Good Morning Britain on Thursday that there is a fast-track process if sun-seekers meet the key criteria.
Thousands of holidaymakers have been waiting for weeks for the passports to be processed - and many have had to cancel trips abroad.
The Daily Star reports that the government has said 400,000 passport applications in the UK were trapped in a backlog, caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown in the UK.
Lockdown meant the passport office had to cut the number of staff working to maintain safe social distancing practices - but that also meant they were unable to get through as many applications each day.
Usually passports can take around three weeks to be processed - but the delays have caused around two months of delays for some people.
However, Martin Lewis has a tip for those who find they are about to head off on their summer hols, but still need their passport.
Speaking on his final tips of the week segment for a couple of months, the finance guru said: "There's huge queues at passport offices.
"You can now get a five-day quick passport if you've filled in your passport form four weeks ago, and you can prove you're travelling in the next couple of weeks.
To prove that you're travelling in the next few weeks, you'll need to provide travel documents as evidence.
In Money SavingExpert.com’s weekly email, Martin explained that this only applies to renewal passports and not new applications.
He said if you can prove you need to travel within the next fortnight, and the Passport Office has had your renewal application for more than a month, then they will fast track it.
If you are planning to travel within a fortnight, and you need your passport fast-tracked, MoneySavingExpert.com said you need to call 0300 222 0000 and you can “discuss your situation and request your application is fast-tracked.”
You’ll need your flight and hotel info to hand on the call.
If you are outside the UK, you need to contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
You will need to get an Emergency Travel Document and won’t be able to use the normal service.
The Passport Office emphasised that people should not book travel until they have received their new or renewed passport.
They add that you should not apply for a new passport until after summer if it is not a matter of urgency.
