Passport Renewal - no longer able to bank unexpired time?

[00swan]

Apologies if this has been asked before - I've done a search but can't find what I need...

I've read that the passport office no longer adds back on unexpired time on passport renewals (used to be up to 9 months) - apparently this has changed.
Is this correct - I can't find the answer on gov.uk ?

[TigerMom]

Yes, that's correct. It changed about 4 years ago now to bring the UK in line with all other countries.

[DisneyDose]

My partner renewed in October 2021 and had 9 months left on their passport. They didn't get the unexpired time added to the new passport, so I think you're right.

[jas72]

Makes sense as many countries now do not count these extra months as valid. (read 27 of our closest neighbours)

I will also have to change in September this year the gov passport website is a joke to be honest with no good info.

[darbs]

Yes that's correct 😐
Not sure the reason for stopping adding time on to them

[00swan]

Thanks everyone, that's really helpful

[Dinglebert]

Originally Posted by darbs

Yes that's correct 😐
Not sure the reason for stopping adding time on to them

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The maximum length that many countries are willing to accept the validity of a passport is 10 years. By allowing early applications and adding time on for the unexpired part it made passports longer than 10 years.

For the sake of ease ignore the end date of your passport, its actual end date is 10 years after its start date.

The problem goes away in a few years as they stopped adding that time a few years ago.