jemukjs

Hi all, I trying to get through to someone at the outsourced British Embassy passport service. I have used the supplied 1-900 number and of course it does not work so have been trying via the credit card # line. What a rip off, after $12.00 I was still on hold and had not talked to anyone!! I gave up. Here is my dilemma. I am leaving on December 20th and still have not got back my passport. I originally sent the paperwork etc in 6 weeks ago but it was returned because the picture was not correct. I returned it via overnight on November 24th and no returned passport yet. I cannot get through to anyone to talk to !! Does anyone have any ideas?
Thaks
Jeremy in L.A.

Elvira

Maybe a PM to British Consul might work?

http://britishexpats.com/forum/member.php?u=93085

jemukjs

Thanks Elvira, I am in Los Angeles, a different Consul. I have tried to find out how to PM my local guy but the Forum will not allow me to do this as I do not have 3 posts!!
Frustrating to say the least.
Jeremy

meauxna

Your local guy is not a member here, so it's a moot point. Can you email them through their website?

jemukjs

Thanks for the heads up. I am going to visit the local office in LA on Monday if the passport has not arrived.

Thanks for the follow up

Jerseygirl

Has the money been taken from your account? If so the PP usually arrives within a week.

jemukjs

Thanks Jersey girl, I checked, they took my money on December 4th, that would be 7 mailing days ago so I will hang on until Monday. Thanks for the tip.

englishinfl

Hi,

I suspect you have this number already

1-202-588-6500 British Embassy

englishinfl

Hi,

I PM'd you with a couple of numbers that might help. Look at my message.

Have a goods un.

jemukjs

Englishinfl, cheers for the follow up. I am waiting for today's mail, then I will sweat it out until Monday afternoon. If no luck by Monday's mail, I'm off to the local consulate.
Here's hoping I am in my local in Lytham for a pint by the evening of the 21st

Cheers
Happy Xmas to all

englishinfl

No prob mate, hope you get everything sorted, don't stress it for now tho.

Unless BA don't run on time I'll be back in my local on the evening of the
18th, and I'm guessing it'll be more than just the one pint.
Cheers, and have a good Christmas!

jemukjs

Still no passport, I finally got through to the ABTRAN company who are in Ireland! They confirmed the embassy took my money on Dec 4th but could not see that it had been issued as of yesterday! They have put in an emergency email to Washington and i am to expect a call today. If nothing by mail time, I am going to the consulate.

I post this so that anybody else caught up in this type of BS can perhaps gain some valued time in their efforts to get back to the UK in the future.

BTW, I have discovered to my annoyance that the embassy 1-900 number cannot be used by Vonage or some other VOIP companies. They block all calls because that number is traditionally used for porn. I finally got through using a friend's land line. Of course the website is lacking any information to let one know this is the case.

englishinfl

,


That's bad news, mate, I'm sorry to hear that you're having such a hassle.
I guess you tried the number I posted and the one I sent in PM.

It's a pain in the ass, but you'll get some joy out of the consulate I suppose if they can confirm the status and issue one to you.
I hope it works out ok, and I'm guessing it will, as you say its a load of bollox to try and get through to the people that can actually help you when you need them.
All the best

jemukjs

Went to the consulate yesterday and VERY happy to say my passport arrived via UPS this morning!
Nothing like leaving it the last minute.

Hope all Brits whether staying in US or going back to UK enjoy their Holidays

Cheers

Jerseygirl

Great news. Thank you and I hope you have a great time in the UK...Merry Christmas.