UK Passport backlog issues
 

Hi there,

I am doing this for a friend of mine who is a UK Citizen and been living in Auckland for almost a year. Her UK passport was due for a renewal earlier this year and nearly 4 months on, she still hasn't got her new passport back.

She sent it off via the UK Embassy in Wellington then onto the UK. I heard they had a huge backlog and trying to process quickly as they can.

The thing is at the moment, she cannot travel outside New Zealand and she is due to start her new job (with some travel) and she would need a new visa label re change of employer name. Her new employer and NZ Immigration are aware of this but there's nothing she can do. She has been following it up every week and has been told her application is still on the list. It's been sooo frustrating for her. She is also worried she could lose her job if nothing is done about it.

She is thinking of going to the press to complain this situation but wondered if anyone in NZ is currently facing the same problem? Is there anyone we could approach to speed this up???

Thanks,
Claire

Re: UK Passport backlog issues
 

she can get an extension on the passport for a year

https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

she would need to go the the nearest UK Embassy

not sure what happens if the passport has already expired

Re: UK Passport backlog issues
 

To reassure your friend, there are people on here who have got their new passports back from the UK after a bit of a wait. I am one one them :thumbsup:
My new PR stickers then only took 2 days. :thumbup:

Jan

Re: UK Passport backlog issues
 

I'm also in the queue..... waiting waiting.....

I spoke to the British Embassy in Wellington and they can't extend your passport if you've already applied to the UK (plus your passport is in the UK anyway).

They do have a help desk, but they weren't particularly helpful when I phoned.

Whether the British Embassy can issue emergency travel documents I'm not sure if you have to travel?

Re: UK Passport backlog issues
 

My childrens passports are also stuck in the UK, need them back after end of July to update our visa to the PR without travel restrictions - hopefully they will arrive before too long.

Re: UK Passport backlog issues
 

Mine has been at the UK passport office for 2 weeks. Im not expecting to see it back anytime soon.

At least their system tells you it made it there through the post in one piece.

Re: UK Passport backlog issues
 

I was contacted by the passport office on 3rd July when they received my passport but had managed to cancel my online application! I had to send them another form by post (which I sent by snail mail directly to the name on the email) and I've just received my new passport by courier this morning so 19 days in total :thumbsup:

Re: UK Passport backlog issues
 

Hey Moso perhaps you should drop their name and email of address for the others on here to contact them direct.

Re: UK Passport backlog issues
 

My new British passport came back recently. I dropped my cv into the immigration office, 'drop box' on a Monday. My passport with replacement/new pr sticker was couriered to me on Wednesday.

Sweet As !