BRITISH nationals living overseas who are waiting for a new passport, or whose passport has recently expired or will expire soon, are being offered additional services to help with any concerns they may have about their ability to travel. 

If you live in Turkey and need to renew an existing British passport, you can instead apply for it to be extended for 12 months.

You will need to be in possession of a passport that expired less than six months ago or will expire within the next seven months, and have at least three blank pages left in your passport. You won’t be charged for this service.

If you have already made an application to have your passport renewed, you cannot get an extension in your current passport, even if you still have your passport with you. If you need to travel urgently, you can apply for an emergency travel document.

If you’re the parent or guardian of a child living overseas who needs to travel, you may be able to apply for an emergency travel document for your child instead of a new or renewed passport.

If you want to extend your passport, you should call your local consulate and make an appointment to visit the British Consulate General in Istanbul or the British Embassy in Ankara where this service is available.

The Embassy says do not arrive without an appointment – there is no “drop-in” service.

It adds it is currently awaiting approval from the Turkish Government as to whether they will accept passports that have been extended using this service.

UK Home Secretary Theresa May has apologised for the delays and insisted the government is doing all it can to deal with the situation.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the situation was a “shambles” and accused Mrs May of incompetence. Mrs May said the passport office was dealing with the highest demand for passports for 12 years.