The United Kingdom Government has advised applicants for British passports to allow up to three weeks for processing under its standard passport service and warned travellers not to book trips until they have received their new passports.

The guidance, published on the official UK government website, states that most applicants using the standard service will receive their passports within three weeks after HM Passport Office receives all required supporting documents.

According to the government, the processing period begins only after the supporting documents have been received, not from the date an online application is submitted.

It noted, however, that some applications may take longer if additional information is required or if applicants are invited for an interview. In such cases, HM Passport Office said it would notify applicants within the initial three-week period.

The guidance applies to passport applications submitted from within the United Kingdom, while processing times for applications made overseas may differ.

The UK Government encouraged applicants to use the online application service, describing it as the cheapest option. It added that paper applications submitted through a Post Office attract an additional fee of £16.

For those requiring passports urgently, the government said expedited services remain available through the Online Premium Service and the one-week Fast Track service.

It also advised people facing emergencies, such as serious illness, the death of a close relative or friend, or urgent government-related travel, to contact the Passport Adviceline for assistance.

Applicants who have already submitted their documents can monitor the status of their applications through the official passport tracking service.

The government further cautioned applicants against making travel bookings before receiving their new passports, noting that replacement passports are issued with new passport numbers, which could affect existing travel reservations.