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.

Re: Passport Delays
 

i sent mine of at the end of March and they sent it back to me last week, however UPS lost it so i still don't have it....

I called the Abtran number half way through the process and was fed the boiler plate violin tune of technical difficulties etc.

So in short 6 weeks or thereabouts was the time frame. Payment was taken on the second week of the process

Re: Passport Delays
 

Chris, Here is the info you wanted:
The British Embassy Passport processing office in Washington D.C. received my Passport Renewal Application on April 1st and charged my credit card for processing on April 15. At the time I applied they promised in writing on their website that processing time was 10 days. It is now May 08 so I called Abtran and was charged (!) to discover it will take another 6 weeks - so a total of 8 weeks but of course no promise .
I wonder if anyone at the Embassy is aware of these delays, the lack of updates and if they care or will fix it ? Hopefully someone with a sense of National pride will resolve this.

Re: Passport Delays
 

TonyD

I too called Abtran and will be charged a nice wedge for it, however less than 10 days later i have a message from UPS to say it's being delivered, not sure if calling Abtran somehow expedites the process...

Doubtful

Re: Passport Delays
 

Thanks for your experience.
My concerns :
1. Abtran are not reporting these huge delays to anyone who could resolve it at the Embassy.
2. The Embassy is blissfully ignorant of these delays and just refers enquires to their "partner Abtran"
3. Temporary passports should have been offered at no charge to people whose applications are so egregiously delayed.
4.Anyone whose passport application was delayed beyond the 10 days originally promised should have been contacted immediately and offered a no-cost temporary.Their ostrich approach is going to cause unnecessary fury from Ex-pats whose tickets are wasted and travel plans destroyed.All avoidable. Put me in charge -I'll fix it!

Re: Passport Delays
 

we should all make official complaints to our consulates maybe we can get back our own passport office in Ottawa money is tight for all of us, we shouldn't have to pay twice for our trips because of their screwups and be expected to pay for postage by UPS for a 3 day service at almost 3 time the cost of Fedex for overnight.

Re: Passport Delays
 

I agree ,but who has a contact phone number at the Embassy??
Without a method of alerting the Embassy we're all just "wingeing Poms"

Re: Passport Delays
 

These two comments are on the Brit Embassy web site:-

We are currently experiencing unusually high volumes and some serious technical problems. This means it may take up to four to six weeks for your application to be processed. We are working hard to clear applications as quickly as possible.

We strongly advise against making any firm travel arrangements until you receive your passport.

Re: Passport Delays
 

Whats the 8 weeks bit about? My parents are going over to see my wife's family's place and if it's 8 weeks then we won't be there at the same time as them. Russd, have you received yours yet. We also had our payment taken on April 15th. We're simply doing a name change, the sad thing is we may have been able to go over without doing that. C'est la vive.
chris and ali

Re: Passport Delays
 

Unfortunately this advisory was not published until long after they received my application & after they had charged my card when the promise was still 10 days.
The other problem is they did not inform me of the delay - I only found out because I called long after I should have already received the new passport.
No alternative was offered -like issuing a temporary passport while they solve their problems.
For some applicants. such a delay will cause much needless grief. I hope that by putting this information up on this Forum it may help avert such problems for those that find this thread.

Re: Passport Delays
 

Claire is who l spoke to, she is very understanding and her number is
(613)364-6201
her message says she cant help with passport issues but just stay on the line and leave a message anyway, she got mine moving:fingerscrossed:

Re: Passport Delays
 

Thank you

Re: Passport Delays
 

l hope it helps, good luck

Re: Passport Delays
 

Hope she's not flooded with voicemails by Monday.

Re: Passport Delays
 

not from me - that # is Canada so no use to me unfortunately but hopefully of value to those in Canada..