Challenges of Passport Ownership for Low-Income Families

Despite travel being more accessible than ever before, passports remain an expensive luxury for many would-be travellers around the globe living on a budget.

Throughout my teenage years, I explored the world through guidebooks, magazines, and postcards. I yearned to experience the wonders of different cultures and landscapes. Unfortunately, these dreams remained unfulfilled during my youth, as my family couldn’t afford the cost of a passport or air travel.

According to the latest UK census, 9.5 million Britons reported not holding a UK passport. In 2011, at the age of 16, I was part of this statistic.

“When you have children, different priorities take over,” my mum explained when I inquired about her lack of a passport. “You can’t manage the £75.50 price tag when you drop down to a single income.”

This brief conversation with my mum reinforced my understanding. When she managed to save money for our dream holiday abroad, an emergency would inevitably arise, draining both our savings and aspirations.

I refused to let financial limitations hinder my dreams. Consequently, I began saving—collecting pennies, pounds, and any spare change I could find in a small blue ceramic pot. Every Saturday, I deposited my meagre savings into my account, watching it gradually grow. Ultimately, it became my summer job that provided the funds for my passport. After receiving my first paycheck, I took the plunge and purchased my first passport.

Upon reflection, I recognize my fortune. Sadly, many individuals face significantly greater barriers.

Low-income families “need to prioritize their spending on essentials like rent, food, and clothing,” explains Lisa Deply Neirotti, Professor of Tourism and Sport Management at George Washington University.

Furthermore, only 57% of Australians and 42% of Americans hold passports, as reported by the respective Australian Department of Affairs and US census data. Although the percentage of Americans holding passports increased by 15% since 2007 due to legislative changes, many still find the minimum cost of $145 out of reach.

Hayley Mayer, a 25-year-old tech support worker from America, shares her perspective: “I have never had enough money to travel beyond driving around my local area.” After leaving home at 17, budgeting became a challenge, and only now has she managed to save some money.

Additionally, Hayley only receives seven days of vacation each year. Taking unpaid leave would be financially unfeasible for her family, as illustrated by Professor Deply Neirotti’s findings that 47% of Americans did not utilize all their vacation days in 2018, with 21% leaving more than five vacation days unused.

Money is just one barrier that low-income families encounter; completing the application form presents another challenge. “Navigating online resources to determine the necessary documentation could be a barrier in itself,” notes Professor Neirotti.

Additionally, getting a professional to verify the applicant’s identity can pose difficulties. “It’s getting someone to sign the documents that becomes a challenge,” my mum acknowledges.

Until recently, UK residents could have their doctor sign their passport applications for a fee. However, this service has been discontinued, adding yet another obstacle for low-income families.

Once someone acquires a passport, they still face financial hurdles since holiday budgets need to be allocated for the trip itself.

Sharmeen Suleman, a speaker at the World Travel Market and founder of the Family Holidays Club Facebook Group and Blog, emphasizes this point: “The real struggle is that peak holiday times are often three times more expensive.”

She firmly believes that vacations are a significant investment for low-income families, starting with the cost of the passport itself.

In 2020, at the age of 55 and after years of saving, my mum plans to buy her first passport, and our travel aspirations are coming to fruition.

“Realistically, Italy or Spain, but if I were dreaming without financial limits, it would be Orlando or Australia,” my mum enthuses. Regardless of the destination, our journey promises to be unforgettable.