stacey and jordan

Just thought I would share this link to any of you who are about to renew their UK Passports in OZ.

http://ukinaustralia.fco.gov.uk/en/passports/

I've spoken with the Australia Post office today, and the service will commence on the 2/06/2009.

As far as I know for the Gold Coast, Pacific Fair and Surfers Paradise are the only Post office's offering this service at the moment.

Pollyana

So it HAS to go via Aus Post plus a $50 fee for doing it, even if you don't wnat it checked by AUs Post they will do it anyway! And the cost of renewing here is already higher than renewing at home.
Talk about a racket.
I predict an upsurge in Brits timing their trips back ti the UK to coincide with passport renewal..........

Thanks for posting it, as it will affect so many of us I will sticky it for a while

JAJ

Check and Send in Britain costs GBP6.85
http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/p...761&print=true

Tubbs2Oz

I just wanted to ask, if you do time your UK visits to get passports over here, I think I read that you have to do it in person. Is that right? Or have people just used family addresses to get them done?

Pollyana

ANd what about those of us that don't do check and send? Thats the point I'm making. I am confident enough to send my own application, I don't WANT to pay a post office to do it for me (especially bearing in mind the bad experiences I have had with Aussie post offices!)

Pollyana

In the future (a few years ahead admittedly) I will be looking to renew while I'm at home. I can use a family address as I will be living there at the time.

Tubbs2Oz

Thanks that's cool. My passport will run out just over 2 years after we arrive in Oz, but I'm sure that we will have made a trip back before that so I'll just renew it when we come over.

PoppetUK

Just wondering if to send my daughters application off before 2nd June straight to them to save the $50. Reckon that will work???

Katherined0

I agree. It is a cheek! But at least now there will be a phone line you can ring to check on the status of your application. The absence of that service was a complete nightmare for me this time last year!

Red_V_Roger

Thinking of getting the wife's application in for renewal this week before 2nd June.

Can anyone refresh my memory of the issue of UK passport photos not being the same as Aus passport photos and that if you submit Aus format they get rejected?

Sure I remember reading something about it. Any idea where she could get UK spec passport photos done in Sydney CBD or out in Sutherland Shire.

Thanks.

Katherined0

I had mind done in a camera shop in our local shopping centre. I think all passports now have to meet international standards so anyone advertising passport photos should meet the criteria. Failing that take the recommendations with you and ask before they take the shot whether they are able to meet them. (I took a ruler with me to check them, much to the amusment of the guys in the shop who clearly thought I was a mad english woman!) I 'think' lots of post offices will do them for you as well.....

markbhx

Got my passport renewing just last month without any problems. Got the photos from a photo booth you find in the shopping centres. Most Wesfields have them. I believe there is one in town hall station.
Fill the application in and send it off via registered post with a hefty fee, had a new one within 2 weeks.

Red_V_Roger

Now found that the UK Embassy has a list of recommended photo places on their website that are aware of UK requirements.

Found info on this recent thread http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=609975

As there are two in Sydney CBD, I will get the wife to go along tomorrow.

kips

My British passport was today returned to me unrenewed after a month because my passport photos ever so slightly show my teeth and therefore are unacceptable. You have to have "a neutral expression, with your mouth closed (no obvious grinning, frowning or raised eyebrows)" it says on the the www.ukinaustralia.fco.gov.uk website. And the fee of $268 is now insufficient am I advised as the cost is is $279 but at the time I applied the cost was $268 on their website. What annoys me is that I sent copies of the exact photos for my Aussie passport and no problems.

Safin

If I get my passport renewed by fast post whilst "living" at my mum's during my visit there next month what do I do about my PR visa label? Is it ok to travel back carrying both the old labelled passport and new unlabelled one? Once back here I'd get the label redone in the new one but won't have time in the UK to go to a passport office and do it.