Every international traveller requires a valid passport issued by the government authority of their country of origin... even if you are only making a day trip.
It is assumed that passengers travelling with OTS are British nationals who hold a UK passport endorsed "British Citizen" and which allows for automatic right of abode in the United Kingdom even though this is not explicitly mentioned in the passport. Should your nationality or that of any member of your party or group be other than "British Citizen" it becomes absolutely essential that we be made aware of this, preferably by OTS staff inspecting the passport itself. Do not confuse the status of British Citizen with that of British Subject.
Please note that special visa requirements may exist for those born abroad or for those who are holders of UK passports issued to either British Dependent Territories Citizens, British National (Overseas) Citizens, British Overseas Citizens, British Subject Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies or British Protected Persons.
PASSPORTS are essential for British nationals travelling abroad who must hold and carry with them a standard United Kingdom passport valid for all countries to which (and via which) they seek to travel. Additionally, passports must, in many instances, be valid for anything from THREE to at least SIX MONTHS after the planned date of departure from destination
VISAS are required for visitors seeking entry to certain countries and application must therefore be made well before an intended travel date. Additionally, some countries issue special visas for those seeking to work there or for those whose activities involve lecture or performance fees and the like
Visa applications must be made on special consular forms and will invariably involve one or more passport size photographs being supplied. In the unlikely event that a transit visa is required a consul usually first needs to see the visa of the country of eventual destination. All forms of visa attract a fee payable by the applicant
The granting of a visa does not guarantee the holder permission to enter the country concerned. Permission to land is, in many cases, at the discretion of the immigration official at the port of entry
The validity of a visa is usually indicated in the text of that visa. Expired visas will not be accepted and must be renewed before travel to the country concerned. It should also be remembered that visas are, in many cases, valid for one entry and/or transit only through the country involved
If you are well travelled with many visaed destinations already in your passport, please be aware that some countries require at least two clear pages of your passport to be untouched on arrival by any form of visa or associated arrival/departure stamp
Multiple entry visas are usually available at additional cost. Entry visas are invariably required of passengers who intend to enter a country and subsequently to return direct to the original departure point. Transit visas are not acceptable for journeys of this nature. With effect from 12 January 2009 passengers travelling to the USA will be obliged to complete an electronic travel authorisation form some 72 hours prior to boarding a US bound aircraft or ship. This procedure will operate alongside the current visa waiver programme
British passport application forms together with visa application forms are available from OTS ... but please action such requirements months, rather than weeks, before the intended travel date.
As part of handing your travel arrangements we will always do our best to ensure that your documentation is in order. The final responsibility, however, lies with the traveller. If you do not have a UK passport then advice for travelling to foreign destinations may differ and we would suggest that you use our visa checking tool on our visas page.
The following information may also assist and at the end of this page there is a link to enable you to renew your passport online. Most headings will take you to a further page for more information.
Introducing the new UK passport
This video and document below explains the changes to the UK passport, which was introduced in October 2010. It covers the new security features (chip, watermark, biographical page and secondary image) and new design theme.
For help, call the IPS Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000.
The Adviceline is open: - 8.00 am to 8.00 pm Monday to Friday - 9.00 am to 5.30 pm weekends and public holidays
The cost of renewing an adult passport
To renew an adult ten-year 32-page passport costs:
£77.50 for the standard service
£112.50 for the one-week Fast Track Service
£129.50 for the one-day Premium service
If you were born on or before 2 September 1929, your passport is free of charge. However, you will need to pay the extra fee for Fast Track or Premium services if you use them.
Travelling within two weeks?
If you need to renew your passport urgently, you could use the Fast Track one-week service or Premium one-day service. You'll need to make an appointment for these services. See 'Urgent passport applications' for more information
Every international traveller requires a valid passport issued by the government authority of their country of origin... even if you are only making a day trip.
