About us
Helping millions of people understand real UK passport waiting times since 2017.
Our story
Passport Waiting Time was founded in 2017. At the time, HM Passport Office generally advised applicants to allow up to 10 weeks for a passport — useful guidance, but not a live picture of how long applications were actually taking.
We wanted to give applicants real waiting times based on genuine passport applications, rather than generic advice alone. The site lets people submit their own timelines after they receive a passport, building a continually updated view of processing times across the UK.
That mission remains unchanged today: independent, crowdsourced data that helps people plan with clearer expectations.
Powered by real data
Thousands of applicants submit their passport timelines to Passport Waiting Time. We use those submissions to calculate published averages and keep a live picture of how long applications are taking.
Standard adult passport renewals from application to delivery.
First adult passport applications and new adult applicants.
Renewals for children’s passports across UK offices.
First child passport applications and infant/child cases.
Replacements after a passport is lost or stolen.
Applications handled through overseas passport services.
Fast Track appointments and faster UK services.
Premium same-day and high-priority services where available.
Averages are based on eligible community submissions and are updated as new timelines are reviewed and published. Individual cases always vary.
Trusted by the media
During and after the COVID-19 period, demand for UK passports surged and processing times became a major public concern. Passport Waiting Time became a recognised independent source of waiting-time information for applicants, journalists and broadcasters.
Our data and commentary have been featured, quoted or referenced by organisations including the BBC, Sky News, TalkTV, national newspapers, regional radio and online news publishers.
Our community
Beyond the website, Passport Waiting Time hosts one of the UK’s largest passport applicant communities — a place to ask questions, share experiences and support one another while waiting for a passport.
64,000+
Facebook Group members
≈500
New members joining every week
3M+
Facebook Group views in a recent month
Thousands
Passport timeline submissions every month
By the numbers
2017
Founded
Millions
Users every year
3,000+
Timeline submissions each month
64,000+
Facebook Group members
500+
New members each week
Featured
By major UK media
Independent
Not affiliated with HM Passport Office
Social community
Follow Passport Waiting Time and join our Facebook Group for community discussion, updates and shared experiences from real applicants.
Join tens of thousands of applicants discussing waiting times, renewals and practical tips.
Join the Facebook Group (opens in a new tab)Follow Passport Waiting Time for updates, waiting-time context and community highlights.
Visit our Facebook Page (opens in a new tab)Follow @passportwaiting for concise updates and links to the latest waiting-time data.
Follow on X (opens in a new tab)Independence
Passport Waiting Time is an independent website. We are not affiliated with HM Passport Office or the Home Office. Our statistics are crowdsourced from voluntary applicant submissions and are published to help people understand typical waiting times. You should always check the latest official GOV.UK guidance alongside our data when planning travel or applying for a passport.
Every passport timeline submitted helps thousands of future applicants understand current waiting times.