passport

Joy Ryan, 96, has visited six continents since getting her first passport at 91, but she must follow her doctor’s advice to do the same routine every hour on long-haul flights

A 96-year-old grandmother who didn’t get her first passport until she was 91 has still found the time to visit six continents. Joy Ryan shared one of the biggest issues with long-haul travel in her advanced years as she has to follow strict doctor’s orders.

Since first travelling abroad, Joy has explored destinations including Kenya, the Galapagos Islands and Antarctica. But her adventures come with a health concern: long-haul flights increase the risk of blood clots, something she has experienced before.

Flights lasting more than four hours can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis, with the risk rising further on journeys lasting more than eight to 10 hours. For Joy, following her doctor’s advice to keep moving is an important part of her travels.

The grandmother, from Duncan Falls, Ohio, USA, and her grandson Brad are set to visit Thailand, Australia and South Africa later this year.

Her passion for travel began long before she needed a passport. Joy had originally planned to see the world with her husband, but he died just months into his retirement in 1994.

Two decades passed before another opportunity arose. She hadn’t even seen a mountain before joining Brad on an overnight trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, along the Tennessee-North Carolina border.

Brad had been struggling with depression after starting vet school and hoped spending time in nature with his grandmother would help his mental health.

That overnight stay grew into a mission to visit every US national park. Along the way, Joy discovered her favourite destination: American Samoa.

The US territory in the South Pacific sits almost 5,000 miles from America’s west coast. Joy was determined to visit its national park, and got her first passport ahead of the trip, reports the Express.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, she said: “You just feel comfortable because everybody’s so friendly. They don’t have much, but they share it with you.

“They take care of their elders, too. There are no nursing home. They take them into their homes and keep them, and then, when they pass away, they bury them in the front yard so they’re still looking after them.”

Now 96, Joy says it is remarkable to witness how differently people communicate around the world, even when she cannot understand them.

The pair’s Instagram account, @grandmajoysroadtrip, has more than 115,000 followers. Joy shares their adventures there, along with dating advice.

Brad’s book Grandma Joy and Me: A Journey of Healing, One National Park at a Time was published earlier this year.

The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is now in place and, while most travellers are familiar with the biometric checks, a travel expert warns it’s the lesser-known rules that are catching people out

Lots of tourists may be feeling nervous about travel delays this year after reports emerged airports could face a new wave of chaos. Some of this worry has stemmed from the fact that EES, which stands for Entry/Exit System, has come into place this year – this is an automated digital IT system developed by the European Union to register non-EU nationals each time they cross the external borders of participating European nations.

However, if you’re due to travel and want to know what to expect, there’s some expert advice you may want to take on board. A few simple travel tips can make all the difference to helping the start of your holiday go more smoothly.

It’s not the first time the subject has been highlighted to travellers either. Previously, it was reported how UK travellers were preparing for border delays due to the system.

What’s it all about?

This year marked the first summer that the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) has been in operation and, while you’ve likely seen reports about lengthier queues at certain airports, for most holidaymakers, it’s simply another aspect of travelling that requires a bit of adjustment. If you’re bound for countries such as Spain, France, Italy, Portugal or Greece, here’s what you need to be aware of before you fly.

Travel expert Ricky Durrance, of package holiday specialists Teletext Holidays, says that, while everyone’s heard about the biometric checks, it’s the minor regulations that are tripping people up. He issued some guidance to help travellers.

Don’t get caught out

One of the least well-known aspects of EES is that your registration is tied to your passport, not to you personally. So, if you’ve renewed your passport since you last visited an EU country, you’ll be treated as a first-time traveller, even if you’ve previously completed biometric registration.

That means providing fingerprints and a facial scan once again at the border. So, you’ll need to allow extra time.

“Many travellers would assume once they’re already in the system that’s job done,” said Ricky. “But EES is tied to the passport, not the person, so don’t be caught out by unexpected enrolment.”

Can things be sped up?

Depending on where you’re departing from, you may even be able to complete part of the process before you set off. The EU’s free Travel to Europe app allows travellers using participating border crossings to upload passport details and a facial image up to 72 hours before departure, helping make the process even smoother.

It’s worth checking whether your airport supports it before you travel. If you’ve booked a package holiday, border delays can have a knock-on effect on transfers, so check with your travel agent whether your departure airport supports early enrolment and allow extra time on arrival.

What about kids?

Families should also bear in mind that every traveller has their own EES record, children included. Each child will require their own passport and facial image check, although under-12s are exempt from providing fingerprints, which helps to speed things up slightly.

It doesn’t apply in every country

The good news is that EES isn’t applicable across the board. Popular holiday hotspots including Turkey, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia fall outside the Schengen Area, meaning British tourists heading there won’t need to complete EES checks.

For anyone weighing up destinations, it’s simply another factor worth taking into account alongside the weather, budget and the kind of break you’re looking for. Check whether your chosen destination requires EES before you travel.

“Like any new system, there’s always a settling-in period,” added Ricky. “The important thing is not to let the headlines put you off travelling. Millions of people are still enjoying holidays across Europe.

“If you know what to expect, allow a little extra time where needed and make sure your passport is up to date, the whole process should be straightforward.”

DID you know that a drastic change to your appearance could get you stopped at the border?

Even something as simple as a haircut could result in extra questions if you look unrecognisable.

Experts at MoneySuperMarket used footballer Erling Haaland as an example following his recent hairstyle change.

The Norwegian sportsman has been called ‘unrecognisable’ after trading in his long blond locks for a buzzcut.

But a change so drastic could result in travel trouble.

Alicia Hempsted, Travel Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket said: “Haaland’s new haircut is a perfect example of how much a simple change in appearance can make you look totally different.

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“While changing your hairstyle does not automatically mean that you need a new passport, looking substantially different from your passport photo could lead to additional checks when boarding a flight or arriving at border control.

“Changes such as growing or shaving off significant facial hair, a major change in hairstyle or colour, or substantial weight loss or gain can all alter the way you look.

“If your appearance has changed significantly since your passport photo was taken, it’s worth checking the latest government guidance well before your trip. This gives you time to replace your passport if necessary, rather than discovering a potential issue when you’re already travelling.”

In another case, one woman was almost stopped from boarding because she looked so different to her passport photo.

In her document, Alisha Maria, an LA beauty blogger had a full face of makeup and a fringe.

But didn’t look the same while travelling ditching her full glam look for no makeup and having her hair up.

In a TikTok video she said: “They almost didn’t let me on my flight because they said I don’t look like my passport.“

In her comments, others had added that they had similar experiences.

One wrote: “They almost didn’t let me back into the US from Australia because I didn’t look like my passport photo and my drivers license had expired.”

Another added: “I had the same issue! I missed my flight due to questioning.”

Passport Rules

Everything you need to know about passports

A COUPLE due to travel to Greece were denied boarding over a simple passport mistake and lost out on £500.

And now the couple is warning other travellers about the common mistake.

Celia Jenkins, 78, and her husband Rees, 82, were meant to fly from Bristol Airport to Kefalonia, Greece, for a six-month stay at their house on a Greek island, but were unable to board their flight.

They were caught out by a rule that means UK passport holders are now seen as ‘third-country nationals’ by the EU, meaning they must follow strict entry rules where their passport is less than 10 years old, regardless of when their document expires.

Jet2 staff told the couple that their passports were 10 years and three days old, meaning their passports were past the limit.

According to The Independent, Celia said: “We were escorted out through border security because technically we had no passports suddenly. We felt like criminals.”

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She explained that while the couple missed the fact their passports were no longer valid, they feel like the Government and airlines have not made the rules clear.

She added: “We weren’t informed clearly enough by anybody at any time.

“We didn’t get it because we saw the expiry date rather than the date of issue as being a problem.”

The couple had paid for an airport hotel as well as the flights, meaning they spent and lost around £500.

The couple has since applied to renew their passports but believe they will no longer be able to meet up with their family in Greece.

The 10-year passport rule was actually introduced for UK citizens back in 2021, however many people still get caught out by it.

UK passports must not be issued more than 10 years before the date of entry into the EU and there must be at least three months remaining on the intended day of departure from the EU.

At least three months remaining on the intended day of departure from the EU.

This means that if you returned from a holiday today and have exactly three months left on your passport, but want to travel again next month – you would need to get a new passport.

Getting a new UK passport usually takes around three weeks through the HM Passport Office.

However, the Government advises that Brits apply at least 10 weeks before travelling, especially during busy periods.

RULES are set to change for any Brits heading to Ireland via ferry from next month.

Passengers will be required to carry a valid passport with no exceptions – or risk being stopped before boarding for the first time in over 100 years.

The change will be enforced from September 28 and is UK Border Force tightening rules on “accuracy and integrity of passenger data before boarding”.

Currently, passengers are not required to show a passport but can be asked to have another form of photo ID with a photograph like a driving licence or a bus pass.

Ferry operators Stena Line and Irish Ferries which operate regular crossing told customers yesterday of the changes.

Irish Ferries explained: “This is a change to the current ID accepted and means that from 28 September, no other forms of photo ID will be accepted by Irish Ferries for any passengers, including Irish and UK citizens.

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“This is to ensure compliance with UK Border Force requirements relating to the accuracy and integrity of passenger data before boarding.”

Irish Ferries operates two routes between Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

These go between Holyhead and Dublin, and Pembroke and Rosslare.

Another ferry enforcing these rules is Stena Line which has crossings between Holyhead and Dublin as well as Fishguard and Rosslare.

Passengers on these crossings must produce a passport on departure and it added that “no other ID is accepted”.

Customers with pre-existing bookings with both ferries will be contacted by customer service prior to their journey.

Previously, passengers didn’t have to carry their passports with them because of what’s known as The Common Travel Area (CTA).

The CTA is a passport-free zone involving the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands dating back to 1923.

British and Irish citizens don’t legally need a passport to travel between the two destinations.

But carrying passports has since became a requirement by airlines like Ryanair and Aer Lingus for passengers flying between the two destinations.

WE all know to take good care of your passport, but what happens if someone steals it?

One couple missed out on their holiday and lost thousands of pounds when their passport was stolen at a busy train station.

Talking to The Telegraph, Reverend Bruce Johnson and Sarah Johnson said they had their passports stolen in London St Pancras.

The couple were heading to Amsterdam when they discovered their travel bag with their documents had been nabbed.

Usually, Brits can opt for a premium one-day service for passport renewals if there is a problem with their documents, for example if it is damaged.

But, this service cannot be used when a passport is lost or stolen.

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In this case, it requires extra checks from the “Lost, Stolen and Recovered” team at HM Passport Office.

The quickest option for anyone with a stolen passport is the one-week Fast Track service.

As the couple were heading on their holiday on the same day, their plans were completely ruined.

Rev Bruce Johnson told the publication: “After speaking to the Home Office plus the Dutch embassy, they wouldn’t accept our other forms of ID, such as driving licences.

“So we had to go home – and lost the whole holiday.”

Eurostar refunded the couple’s tickets, but the loss of everything else from accommodation to train and taxi fares and replacement passports has cost them £2,219.

The couple’s travel insurance policy did not cover passport theft either.

Having a passport stolen is not uncommon – the Passport Office reported that almost 370,000 passports were reported as lost or stolen in the UK in 2025 by November.

This is 62 per cent more than all of 2024.

Advice on the GOV.UK website reads: “You must cancel a lost or stolen passport as soon as possible.

“This will reduce the risk of anyone else using your passport or your identity. You can report a lost or stolen passport for someone else if they cannot do it themselves.”

Advice from the Post Office reveals that if your passport has been stolen, you won’t be able to get a replacement quickly.

It says: “You usually can’t use the one-day Premium Service to replace a lost or stolen passport. This is only for renewing an existing adult passport, where you still have your old one.

“In rare cases, such as a serious illness or bereavement, you may be able to get urgent help. If this applies to you, you’ll need to contact HM Passport Office directly to discuss your situation.

“If you need a replacement quickly, the 1 week Fast Track service is usually the fastest option.”

For the one-week fast track, the earliest time you can get an appointment is the day after you apply.

The new passport is delivered by courier a week afterwards.

This costs £192 for an adult passport and £156.50 for a child passport.

If you want to find out more about other passport rules, head here.

SUMMER may be on its way out, but Brits are still heading abroad – so double check these rules before you go.

If you fail to check these then you might not get to go on holiday at all.

Expiry date

The very first thing to check before you head on holiday is the expiry date on your passport.

To be valid for travel British passports must have been issued within the last 10 years.

Figures have shown up to 100,000 holidaymakers a year face being turned away at airports if their passport is more than a decade old.

So, before you travel, check the start date, not the expiry.

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For example, if a passport has June 2016 start date but a November 2026 expiry, it has technically expired.

Not realising this soon enough could result in a costly mistake.

Tom Vaughan, travel insurance expert at Confused.com said: “Our research shows that 1 in 5 (21 per cent) Brits have had to renew their passport within just a few weeks of travelling, and less than half (43 per cent) know that EU travel requires a passport issued within the last 10 years.

“If you do get caught out, sorting an emergency passport can now cost up to £240, and that’s before you factor in time off work and a trip to a passport office.

“Unfortunately, travel insurance won’t cover the cost, or any flights or holidays you miss as a result, and children face even longer delays as same-day service isn’t available for their passports.

“So before you finish packing, check two things: the date your passport was issued, and how long is left on it. Our passport checker can help you avoid a last-minute panic and ensure your holiday starts the way it should, stress-free.”

Additional months

A number of countries also require British holidaymakers to have a few additional months left on their passport to travel.

Any Brit heading to Europe will also need at least three months of validity left on their passport after the day you plan to leave.

If there is less than three months left on your passport, you will be refused at the gate or even beforehand and will have to renew your document.

Some other countries require even longer with some wanting six months left on the passport – this includes UAE, Egypt, and Chile.

Spare pages

Some countries actually require blank pages in your passport for manual stamping.

If you’re heading to Europe, one page of blank space is fine.

Countries requiring at least two blank pages for entry include Austria, Italy, Germany, The Bahamas and other tourist hotspots.

Standard UK passports have 34 blank pages, but you can pay extra for one with 54 if you’re a regular traveller.

The travel advice was shared to help prevent disruptions for people with upcoming trips

HM Passport Office (HMPO) has shared essential travel advice for anyone travelling abroad. The alert comes amid the busy summer holiday period, when countless families are planning trips.

In a post shared on social media, HMPO urged people not to travel with a passport that they had previously reported lost or stolen. The X alert said: “Found a passport you previously reported lost or stolen? Don’t travel with it. Once reported, it’s cancelled and using it could disrupt your trip.”

Instead, they will need to apply for a replacement. HM Passport Office says it considers passports damaged if any of your details cannot be read, any of the pages are ripped or cut, there are holes in the cover, the cover is coming away, or there are stains on the pages. For instance, ink or water damage is not allowed.

HM Passport Office says it is important to cancel a lost or stolen passport as soon as you can. “This will reduce the risk of anyone else using your passport or your identity.

“You can report a lost or stolen passport for someone else if they cannot do it themselves.” If you have a photo of the lost passport, you can use this to answer the necessary questions.

The advice continues: “You might be able to apply for an emergency travel document. You’ll need to pay a fee. If you apply for an emergency travel document, you do not need to cancel your passport now. You’ll cancel it as part of your application for the emergency travel document.”

When renewing your passport online, you will need a credit or debit card and a digital photo. It costs £102. If you are replacing a lost or stolen passport, you also need someone to confirm your identity online. More details are available on GOV.UK.

You can also follow @HM_Passport on X for general updates and tips. For instance, another recent post shares tips for taking your passport photos. The advice said: “A suitable passport photo can help avoid delays. Make sure your photo is in focus, against a plain background and meets all requirements.”

GOV.UK says: “In your photo you must: be facing forwards and looking straight at the camera, have a plain expression and your mouth closed, have your eyes open and visible, not have hair in front of your eyes, not have a head covering (unless it’s for religious or medical reasons).

“Do not have anything covering your face, not have any shadows on your face or behind you.”