Brit Embassy AUH

Changes to British Passport Service in UAE

From 1 August 2010, applications for full validity passports for British Nationals will no longer be processed in the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Please read this notice to find out what’s happening, why the change is necessary and how it affects you.

What is changing and how does it affect me?

From 1 August 2010, all passport applications from UAE will be processed and printed centrally in the Passport Processing Centre in Dusseldorf. These changes are being implemented throughout the Gulf region in 2010.

Until that date you should continue to submit your passport applications at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
Our website will be updated to include further instructions on how to submit your application to the Processing Centre in Dusseldorf. If you plan to travel in the next 2-3 months you are advised to check this website regularly for advice and information.

Why is this happening?

These changes are part of a global initiative to streamline and modernise the UK’s overseas passport operation. The UK remains one of the few countries printing passports in Embassies and Consulates abroad. This is expensive to do and is less secure as we have to transport blank passports around the world. Our aim is to reduce the cost of running the operation, while improving security and maintaining a high standard of customer service.

How long will this new service take?

You should allow up to 4 weeks to submit your application before travelling.

We aim to process straightforward passports within 10 working days upon receipt in Dusseldorf of the correct documentation and payment. Applications from first time applicants will take longer. Please ensure you allow extra time for delivery at both ends of the process.

After 1 August 2010, if you need to travel urgently you can contact the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi or Dubai to purchase an Emergency Passport.

Has this happened elsewhere?

Yes. By the end of 2010 there will be 7 Regional Passport Processing Centres (PPCs) worldwide. Six PPCs, including Dusseldorf, are already in place covering Europe, The Americas, Australasia and Southern Africa. Comments from customers include:

“Very user friendly……No problems very smooth……….Quicker than anticipated…”

The Cost

If you apply for a British passport overseas you can expect to pay:
- For your passport;
- The cost of sending your application to the Passport Processing Centre;
- For the secure return of your passport and documents.
We will publish detailed instructions on how to submit your application.


What should I do now?

Until 1 August 2010 you should continue to submit your passport applications at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
You are advised to:

- Keep your passports in a safe place at all times;

- Regularly check your passport’s validity, particularly when planning future trips;

- Submit applications for new passports or renewals in good time. Don’t leave it until the last minute.

Our website address is www.ukinuae.fco.gov.uk

Meow

"Quicker than anticpated" ? Compared to what? Certainly not the current turnaround times...

If passports get lost when at the Dubai consulate (& yes my husband's was) then I am not optimistic about it having to be sent to Dusseldorf.



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Lorna at Vicenza

Our aim is to reduce the cost of running the operation, while improving security and maintaining a high standard of customer service.


I know I'm not in the ME but these new procedures already hit Italy last year. No more passports from Rome. We have to use Paris. Costs have gone up for us now that we have to use a courier service and there is no high standard of customer service. It was already an expensive service.

One poster in Italy using the new Paris services recently had a lot of problems.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=656264

Millhouse

This is a recipe for disaster. I shall renew mine now!

lionheart

Why Dusseldorf? If we are having to send our precious passport documentation by courrier, why not send everything to the UK?

Madam Medusa

and you have to allow 4 weeks...ridiculous...

MM, xx

Meow

And because they take so long, if you have to travel anywhere in a hurry, which happens when you live overseas, you have to pay for the cost of an emergency passport too.

Apart from handling a few visas, what on earth does the Embassy do?

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Lorna at Vicenza

Good point. At least there people would get help in English and not have to struggle with a TNT Traco website all in French / Italian and Italian personnel that don't speak English.

I guess it would all be in German for you guys out there.

Jim Smith

Good point.

Surprised is wasn't set up in Israel, they appear to be very efficient at making British passports!!!!!!!!

littlejimmy

Just got mine renewed at the Embassy in Tripoli. It took exactly one week.

typical

The first renewal I had out here, I braved the UK embassy. It took a week, was a pain, and generally not much fun.

The second, I flew to the UK for a weekend and used the same day service. The price (not including flights ) was similar and the service significantly better.

My next renewal will be in 6 months max.

lionheart

Still waiting for the Brit Embassy poster to reply to that one.

Bijilo123

I got my sons in Gambia overnight and mine in Kuwait in 3 days and a free 6 months extra because it was full before it ran out. It would have been longer if I'd put it in on a Thu because they don't seem to work too hard if at all on Fridays.

I don't care about the cost of the passport - if they are trying to economise then put the price up. If they are worried about the security then become more competent.

matt-e

As everyone else has said if all of this is to be processed in one central place it should be in the UK, not Germany!

Also, if the aim of this is to reduce costs then why is Radio 2 News reporting this morning that the cost of passport renewal is set to increase by an additional 500 AED? The British passport renewal fees are already some of the most expensive in the world!

notanmp

IMHO having lived in many countries the British Embassy/Consul service is of little help and makes you pay through the nose for aservice already paid for in taxes. But heh, don't get bitter, get even; live abroad and don't pay tax