>>>Seems like some of the day-to-day things could be annoying - passports, driving license, visas etc.
>>
>>Well, drivers licenses are a state function, so unaffected, but passports will be an issue soon.
>>
>>BTW, I renewed my passport last month and was really impressed by how fast it got done. The instructions say to allow 6-8 weeks (I think), but ours came back within two weeks of when we sent them in.
>
>A 6-8 week turnaround would surely be unacceptable to many business travellers. Presumably there's some sort of fast-track service available.
>
>Here a standard renewal takes about 3 weeks and costs ~£80.
>Fast track options are to have it delivered in 1 week for ~£100 or within 4 hrs for £130 (but you have to collect it :-} )

Yes, you can pay more and get it faster. I once took a kid to get a passport same day, because he was leaving for Europe the next day and somehow, hadn't noticed that his passport had expired. Costs even more and you do have to find somewhere to kill three hours while they check you out.

Tamar