Passport Delays
#61
Just Joined
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6
Re: Passport Delays
Well really panicing now! Travel on Tuesday and no passport! Sent application in about 4 weeks ago, before the processing time changed. They haven't even hit my credit card yet! Made several calls to the consulate here in Houston but not getting any answers.
Only travelling to Canada but with new rules going into effect June 1st not sure if green card will suffice to get us in and out?
FYI- for all you expats in Buffalo- there will be about 1400 Scots in Niagra next week at the Falls hotel, pop on over for a drink, then again maybe 1400 Scots is a reason to stay away, LOL.
Only travelling to Canada but with new rules going into effect June 1st not sure if green card will suffice to get us in and out?
FYI- for all you expats in Buffalo- there will be about 1400 Scots in Niagra next week at the Falls hotel, pop on over for a drink, then again maybe 1400 Scots is a reason to stay away, LOL.
PS Sounds like a fun trip!
#62
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 4
Re: Passport Delays
I just don't understand exactly what it is these consulates do...surely there can't be that many Brits in a day needing assistance?
#63
Just Joined
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2
Re: Passport Delays
Same, as everybody here. I checked the website and it said 10 business days, so I happily sent in for passport renewals, only to find out the processing time was 4-6 weeks, then 6 weeks. My spouses passport was still valid but since I was renewing the rest of the family anyway, I sent his in too. Since 6 weeks would be too late for my spouses business trip, I called Abtran one week after they'd been received by the embassy (4th may). No joy, not in system, says it's 6 weeks for sure but I could could call back at the end of May (10bucks). Called back one week later explaining that my spouse has an international conference to attend and to locate his valid passport and send it back. (He would renew in UK). Abtran took the Fedex tracking number and said they'd email to Embassy, but didn't hold up much hope as they're not replying!. May 18th - 23 bucks.
May 20th get VM from nice lady at the embassy stating that they'd 'located' our passports and were processing them urgently (Remember I'd only requested they send back my spouses valid passport.
Received passports May 22nd.
The Embassy rocks, Abtran - not so much - $2.60/min is outrageous
Good luck to everyone
May 20th get VM from nice lady at the embassy stating that they'd 'located' our passports and were processing them urgently (Remember I'd only requested they send back my spouses valid passport.
Received passports May 22nd.
The Embassy rocks, Abtran - not so much - $2.60/min is outrageous
Good luck to everyone
Last edited by suskil; May 28th 2009 at 6:04 pm.
#64
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 4
Re: Passport Delays
Same, as everybody here. I checked the website and it said 10 business days, so I happily sent in for passport renewals, only to find out the processing time was 4-6 weeks, then 6 weeks. My spouses passport was still valid but since I was renewing the rest of the family anyway, I sent his in too. Since 6 weeks would be too late for my spouses business trip, I called Abtran one week after they'd been received by the embassy (4th may). No joy, not in system, says it's 6 weeks for sure but I could could call back at the end of May (10bucks). Called back one week later explaining that my spouse has an international conference to attend and to locate his valid passport and send it back. (He would renew in UK). Abtran took the Fedex tracking number and said they'd email to Embassy, but didn't hold up much hope as they're not replying!. May 18th - 23 bucks.
May 20th get VM from nice lady at the embassy stating that they'd 'located' our passports and were processing them urgently (Remember I'd only requested they send back my spouses valid passport.
Received passports May 22nd.
The Embassy rocks, Abtran - not so much - $2.60/min is outrageous
Good luck to everyone
May 20th get VM from nice lady at the embassy stating that they'd 'located' our passports and were processing them urgently (Remember I'd only requested they send back my spouses valid passport.
Received passports May 22nd.
The Embassy rocks, Abtran - not so much - $2.60/min is outrageous
Good luck to everyone
In true American style I will sue their a** for my flights and hotel if I don't have my sticky fingers on a nice new passport by Monday, I travel Tuesday.
Time to get US citizenship me thinks.
#65
Just Joined
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 11
Re: Passport Delays
I was thinking people could post their time frames on passport delays here. Currently the British Embassy in Washington is experiencing technical difficulties that make British passport changes horrendously slow.
If you've recently sent off your passport and have received it back, can you please post when you sent it, the date they took the payment, and when you received the passport.
If you've recently sent off your passport and have received it back, can you please post when you sent it, the date they took the payment, and when you received the passport.
I wrote to the North American Passport Production Centre, British Embassy
19 Observatory Circle
Washington DC 20008-3611
I gave them my address and phone number and received a call from them today. My passport will go out in the next couple of days. I hope this helps those whose passports have still not arrived.
#66
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: Vancouver Canada
Posts: 17
Re: Passport Delays
Hi britwife
I too am still waiting. Can you let me know when the money was taken from your credit card (assuming that's how you paid)? Thanks!
I too am still waiting. Can you let me know when the money was taken from your credit card (assuming that's how you paid)? Thanks!
#67
Just Joined
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 11
Re: Passport Delays
Urgh. This doesn't make me happy. I sent my stuff in the first week in March, and I was told 10 days. They took my money about a week or so later. Still no passport. It will be June next week. I've spent $60 calling Abtran who promised me the Embassy would call but never did. $30 of the $60 was spent listening to Waterloo Sunset while I waited for someone to answer the phone. Disgusting.
And I'm still waiting. I'm going to go into the Consul in Boston later this week. Reading on here, it seems to have got things moving along.
And I'm still waiting. I'm going to go into the Consul in Boston later this week. Reading on here, it seems to have got things moving along.
#69
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: Vancouver Canada
Posts: 17
Re: Passport Delays
Thanks
Fingers crossed that it will soon reach you.
I heard from the consulate today that my passport is in the final stages of processing and should be sent out in the next few days (hope so as I am supposed to be going on vacation on June 13th!)
Fingers crossed that it will soon reach you.
I heard from the consulate today that my passport is in the final stages of processing and should be sent out in the next few days (hope so as I am supposed to be going on vacation on June 13th!)
#70
Just Joined
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 11
Re: Passport Delays
CP2908 -- I hope that we both bet our passports in the next few days. Have a great vacation.
#71
Just Joined
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2
Re: Passport Delays
My passports arrived 3 business days after the Embassy contacted me.
Good Luck
Good Luck
#72
Just Joined
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 7
Re: Passport Delays
OK. So now Abtran is gone, and we have Careline. But the problem is that I don't have a phone where I can call a 900 number, and the website doesn't list a 1-800 number where I can use my credit card. Great. So now the only thing I can do is literally take a walk in my consulate.
#74
Just Joined
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 11
Re: Passport Delays
OK. So now Abtran is gone, and we have Careline. But the problem is that I don't have a phone where I can call a 900 number, and the website doesn't list a 1-800 number where I can use my credit card. Great. So now the only thing I can do is literally take a walk in my consulate.
#75
Just Joined
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6
Re: Passport Delays
Here is my statistics: Mailed application 4 May. Called Abtran 19 May - nothing they could do ($28.60), it might be even longer than 6 weeks. Contacted Dean on 26 May to help, he did. Passport arrived 29 May.