gottheTshirt

There are agents offering to do it within 24hours (or even same day if you get to them before noon) for a fee, typically £150. I assume that they pre-book appointments in advance. Anyone used them ?

I would first phone round for an appointment - I got an appointment at Victoria Passport Office within 3 days in November last year.

hong_konger

Those agents are very expensive and you still have to be in the UK yourself. Remember they know whether you are in the UK because your passport gets zapped on entering UK ! Just call the passport office and see what slots they have available. I would only consider one of those agents as a last resort.

the_red_sheep

Just called and managed to book an 1-day service appointment for next Wednesday morning, there were several to choose from so seems like there is decent availability.

Also, worth noting that you have to have an appointment pre-1pm to get your new passport back the same day.

busybee2

it depends on the passport office, that information is all listed online as its different timings for different offices.

the_red_sheep

I'm using the London office, 1pm cut off there.

BritInParis

I just renewed my passport using the one week Fast Track service via London. Attended my appointment on Wednesday morning and received my passport through my door on Saturday afternoon. Might be worth considering depending on how long you will be in the UK and where you'll be staying.

hong_konger

The only think is you need to have a UK address and you need not to be in a hurry. The web site says it could be 7 days. When I used the Premium service my passport was actually ready in 2 hrs.

Inselaffen

the delays must be true. they are now reported in the mail

Passport backlog hits 500k and holidaymakers told to pay £55 or risk losing summer break | Mail Online

mikewot

That nice Theresa May says there are no delays, it's all nonsense and a figment of our imagination.
'No Passport Backlog' Despite Long Wait Claims

I am reminded of Baghdad Bob: http://www.hyscience.com/archives/baghdad_bob_a10a.jpg

BritInParis

This has been all over the papers and the TV yesterday and today. Plenty of BBC coverage. Theresa May rapidly backpaddling and Paul Pugh, head of the HMPO, will appear in a front of a parliamentary select committee on Tuesday to explain himself. All of you who complained to your MP, well done.

May rejects claims of crisis over passport backlogs

Passport delays: 'We've been held to ransom'

Up to 30,000 passports hit by delays, says David Cameron

Passport Office boss denies applications backlog

Mogs

now more than 2 weeks since I got my new one - still no sign of the old one.

mikewot

Shambles central:

Home Secretary Theresa May has announced measures to help clear the backlog in passport applications - and scrapped charges for urgent renewals.

People renewing their UK passports from overseas will be given a 12 month extension to their existing passport.

Those applying for passports overseas on behalf of their children will be given emergency travel documents.

BBC News - Fees cut as part of emergency passport backlog measures

OriginalSunshine

This is bull faeces. I don't want a 12 month extension to an existing passport when I've had to pay over 100 quid for a 48 page new empty pages passport, plus 400 AED for DHL visa fees, plus another 100 quid to get an Emergency Passport from the embassy so I can leave this country.

I want a 48 (reality = 42) page passport with no stamps in it, so I can travel to countries where I need an empty page for immigration stamps.

Not 12 month extension to the current but full one.

I will be freaking livid if they return the existing one to me.

Absolutely freaking livid.

mikewot

OriginalSunshine

yeah