UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
#151
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
If you make a lot of trips, it's not that easy to find a window for the renewal, the website was also showing 4 weeks, I hope they've clarified that by now.
#152
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Toronto/Hong Kong
Posts: 5
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
Basicly Just sitting, praying and waiting!
#153
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
I applied 5 weeks before my travel date + being a student means I have fixed holiday/travel dates, so yup for the reasons you state was why I had a flight booked. I really hope it arrives though, because despite beeig a UK student in Canada, im actually living in HK as a UK Expat so things would go very bad without the passport.... as I dont think the emergency travel doc would help for travel to HK... but I am HK ID card so who knows...
Basicly Just sitting, praying and waiting!
Basicly Just sitting, praying and waiting!
#154
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Toronto/Hong Kong
Posts: 5
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
I think so, checked it again and it is now in transit with delivery time stated as by end of tomorrow. This is really great news for me, was really worried about it, now I feel slightly relieved, but still going to feel nervous until its actually in my hands!
#155
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 221
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
You lucky so & so, the I&PS in DC received my application on Mar 31, and they haven't even taken payment yet.
#156
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Toronto/Hong Kong
Posts: 5
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
Did you state a travel date on your application? I stated 30th April as my travel date, which if delivered successfully, they will meet. If you didnt state any travel date, perhaps it will take longer as they dont see a priority? Good luck and hope it comes soon.
#157
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 221
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
I gave a late July date, but I fly mid Oct. (Not technically a lie, as I may need to go north or south of the US border at any time inbetween now & then)
So I should see it in a couple of months.
So I should see it in a couple of months.
#158
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
It's really unacceptable that British citizens living abroad should have to wait such a long time for a passport to be renewed. I can understand that an initial passport may take longer, but a renewal? There are many reasons why a expat may need to travel back to the UK and requiring them to provide such a long renewal window is ridiculous, especially when you take into account the fees charged.
#159
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 62
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
Not sure if I'm going to help or stir up trouble...here goes.
I'd mailed in my app for renewal due to name change and it was received on April 7th but had heard nothing except they were potentially backed up. My fathers been ill and hasn't met my son, so goes my sob story right (all true and a whole lot more to it - I'm just exhausted and you don't really need or care about the details, I imagine )
As it turns out, I didn't need my name changed (long story). Thankfully I live close enough to DC that a trip downtown wasn't out of the question, since Careline is useless and you can't speak to anyone directly in their office. They were kind enough to give me my application, documents, and old-not-yet-cancelled passport back. I was also told they are SO backed up and they have thousands of applications they haven't gotten to yet. I would say, if you are planning to travel soon and can get approved for an ER passport...get the ball rolling on it.
THOUGH! I did not put a travel date on my passport because I thought they were only taking 4 weeks AND the last renewal I had took just over 2.
Sorry
I'd mailed in my app for renewal due to name change and it was received on April 7th but had heard nothing except they were potentially backed up. My fathers been ill and hasn't met my son, so goes my sob story right (all true and a whole lot more to it - I'm just exhausted and you don't really need or care about the details, I imagine )
As it turns out, I didn't need my name changed (long story). Thankfully I live close enough to DC that a trip downtown wasn't out of the question, since Careline is useless and you can't speak to anyone directly in their office. They were kind enough to give me my application, documents, and old-not-yet-cancelled passport back. I was also told they are SO backed up and they have thousands of applications they haven't gotten to yet. I would say, if you are planning to travel soon and can get approved for an ER passport...get the ball rolling on it.
THOUGH! I did not put a travel date on my passport because I thought they were only taking 4 weeks AND the last renewal I had took just over 2.
Sorry
#160
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
It's really unacceptable that British citizens living abroad should have to wait such a long time for a passport to be renewed. I can understand that an initial passport may take longer, but a renewal? There are many reasons why a expat may need to travel back to the UK and requiring them to provide such a long renewal window is ridiculous, especially when you take into account the fees charged.
#161
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
So I am in a bit of a panic. I guess this post is more to vent but also wanted to know if anyone has an email address of the consulate in Washington DC...
My renewal application was delivered on 03/16 as of today it is still not showing up in their system. I have made 2 calls to the care line and both times have been told I would receive a call back. Nothing. The credit card I gave them is set to expire in May. I will have to call and give them a new CC # but I am not all that confident that they will retain the info. We are approaching the 7 week mark and so far nothing has occured. UPS shows this as being delivered. Has anyone ever seen a lost application? My original birth certificate was provided to them as my passport had expired in 2010.
Any feedback is appreciated. I have enjoyed reading everyones posts as it has helped me determine that my request is outside of the normal timeline. Thanks everyone!
My renewal application was delivered on 03/16 as of today it is still not showing up in their system. I have made 2 calls to the care line and both times have been told I would receive a call back. Nothing. The credit card I gave them is set to expire in May. I will have to call and give them a new CC # but I am not all that confident that they will retain the info. We are approaching the 7 week mark and so far nothing has occured. UPS shows this as being delivered. Has anyone ever seen a lost application? My original birth certificate was provided to them as my passport had expired in 2010.
Any feedback is appreciated. I have enjoyed reading everyones posts as it has helped me determine that my request is outside of the normal timeline. Thanks everyone!
#162
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 62
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
It's unlikely lost from what I could tell at the embassy yesterday, they are ridiculously backed up. They had barely taken mine out of the envelope and it was under a stack. They said they had a huge influx and are behind on thousands of applications.
#163
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
I have enjoyed reading everyones posts as it has helped me determine that my request is outside of the normal timeline.
Ian
#164
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
I sent my passport via FedEx on 4/7, received 4/11. Still waiting for the card to be charged as of 4/28.
Spoke to a wonderful idiot at the Careline who told me there is nothing I can do, and that it is 4 weeks from the point my card is charged.
I have a travel date of 5/15 and it's not looking at all promising.
They really should outline the entire process and update the site.
Spoke to a wonderful idiot at the Careline who told me there is nothing I can do, and that it is 4 weeks from the point my card is charged.
I have a travel date of 5/15 and it's not looking at all promising.
They really should outline the entire process and update the site.
#165
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
I sent my passport via FedEx on 4/7, received 4/11. Still waiting for the card to be charged as of 4/28.
Spoke to a wonderful idiot at the Careline who told me there is nothing I can do, and that it is 4 weeks from the point my card is charged.
I have a travel date of 5/15 and it's not looking at all promising.
They really should outline the entire process and update the site.
Spoke to a wonderful idiot at the Careline who told me there is nothing I can do, and that it is 4 weeks from the point my card is charged.
I have a travel date of 5/15 and it's not looking at all promising.
They really should outline the entire process and update the site.