I did try searching and couldn't find anything on this, though it seems likely there is a thread somewhere already. Apologies if I'm asking a routine question...

My passport expired in April 2012. We are handing in our application this month. That gives me the recommended 2 years duration when applying, but I am suddenly worrying about either:

• sending my passport for renewal mid-process and having to tell them my passport details have changed

or

• renewing my passport just after they have affixed the glorious paperwork to it.

Anyone else encountered this... which is the better scenario? I'm guessing the second one, as it doesn't interfere with the process, but I'm worried that if we're successful I'm not going to want to let my passport out of my sight

Hi
I would renew your passport before the visa gets put into it as you may be asked to show the visa, so will have to carry both with you.

You can renew early and be given up to an additional 9 months, if your passports still has that or more validity on it. If you renew a couple of months before the expiry, you will be given an extra couple of months on top of the 10 years.

If you send off your documents, you can always send in the copy of the new ppt and details whenever you renew it. Applications are taking between 6-12months under the new system at the moment.

Hope this helps
Stef

We were in the same situation. We emailed the London office and they told us to renew them before sending them in for the visas.
They send you a form to update certain details including updated passport numbers. You then send this in with your passports when they are ready to issue you with a visa.

thanks very much for the replies. We'll send off the application with the current passports, and I'll get mine renewed before we get to the (fingers crossed) passport request stage. Of course if something goes terribly wrong we won't get to that stage, but I'm trying to be positive!