Passport Delays
Jul 24th 2011, 6:18 pm
#1996
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,017
Re: Passport Delays
Hi guys, newbie here. I was directed here after contacting someone from your site.
So here's my story;
I am out here working at a summer camp, however last week I had my passport and working visa (J-1) stolen. I have spoken to the British Consulate in Chicago and due to my time of leaving the US (Aug 19th to Canada, then again Aug 24th New York - London) I have been told an Emergency Travel Document is my way forward.
That's fine by me, however the woman we spoke to at the embassy said that some countries don't like you re-entering their country on an ETD, has any one had experience of leaving the US then re-entering on an ETD before?
This is my plan if it helps;
Detroit - Canada (Niagara falls) (Car)
Canada (Niagara falls) - Buffalo (Car)
Buffalo - NYC (Plane)
NYC - London (Plane)
So my re-entry point is Buffalo obviously, any help is greatly appreciated.
While I'm here I may as well also ask, how does an ETD work? I know you have to go in person and take 2 passport photos, but thats all I know.
Will I HAVE to get a new visa printed? Or will the ETD cover entry to the US?
Someone also said that the hardest part to replace was the little white card that they put in your passport saying your entry date, is this true? Will I even need one with an ETD?
Thanks again.
Mike/Smudge
So here's my story;
I am out here working at a summer camp, however last week I had my passport and working visa (J-1) stolen. I have spoken to the British Consulate in Chicago and due to my time of leaving the US (Aug 19th to Canada, then again Aug 24th New York - London) I have been told an Emergency Travel Document is my way forward.
That's fine by me, however the woman we spoke to at the embassy said that some countries don't like you re-entering their country on an ETD, has any one had experience of leaving the US then re-entering on an ETD before?
This is my plan if it helps;
Detroit - Canada (Niagara falls) (Car)
Canada (Niagara falls) - Buffalo (Car)
Buffalo - NYC (Plane)
NYC - London (Plane)
So my re-entry point is Buffalo obviously, any help is greatly appreciated.
While I'm here I may as well also ask, how does an ETD work? I know you have to go in person and take 2 passport photos, but thats all I know.
Will I HAVE to get a new visa printed? Or will the ETD cover entry to the US?
Someone also said that the hardest part to replace was the little white card that they put in your passport saying your entry date, is this true? Will I even need one with an ETD?
Thanks again.
Mike/Smudge
I can't say anything about ETDs with complete certainty because I have never had one, but I have had experience crossing the border at both the Peace Bridge and Rainbow Bridge from Canada into the US. One of the primary concerns of the border agents when dealing with people who aren't going to be working in the USA has always been (in my experience) proof that you are going to be leaving.
I would guess given that you are re-entering the US and you fly back to the UK almost immediately afterwards that this final part of your stay in North America is a vacation? In which case your visa should not be essential for re-entry. If you have a valid travel document (with the ETD is) and proof of your flight booking back to the UK, then I wouldn't envisage any problems - you could enter the US on the visa-waiver program and finish your trip.
However, I will repeat the disclaimer that I haven't personally travelled on an ETD so I cannot be 100% sure how the border folk would react to one.
I would guess given that you are re-entering the US and you fly back to the UK almost immediately afterwards that this final part of your stay in North America is a vacation? In which case your visa should not be essential for re-entry. If you have a valid travel document (with the ETD is) and proof of your flight booking back to the UK, then I wouldn't envisage any problems - you could enter the US on the visa-waiver program and finish your trip.
However, I will repeat the disclaimer that I haven't personally travelled on an ETD so I cannot be 100% sure how the border folk would react to one.
Jul 24th 2011, 6:47 pm
#1999
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,017
Re: Passport Delays
Making sense doesn't always come into it as far as US Immigration is concerned. As I posted previously...I think it would be best if you ask the people in the US Imm forum.
Jul 24th 2011, 6:53 pm
#2000
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: Passport Delays
As for using the EDT to enter the US, depends on POE officer.
Jul 24th 2011, 6:58 pm
#2002
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,017
Re: Passport Delays
You can choose to enter on the visa, or the VWP, if you're eligible for it. It's entering on the IR jobby to activate the visa that you can't chose to use the VWP for, according to a post on this question last summer.
As for using the EDT to enter the US, depends on POE officer.
As for using the EDT to enter the US, depends on POE officer.
Jul 24th 2011, 8:13 pm
#2003
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2011
Location: St catharines Ontario
Posts: 17
Re: Passport Delays
I wish i had read this thread earlier, i've been a Canadian citizsen for a few years now and hold both CDN and UK passport, my UK passport expired in May, i know people must have asked this a 100 times but can i enter the UK using my CDN passport ??? ( i have a return ticket back to Canada)...
After reading this thread i think i am going to book an appointment at a UK passport office and get my passport while im in the UK on holiday!
After reading this thread i think i am going to book an appointment at a UK passport office and get my passport while im in the UK on holiday!
Jul 24th 2011, 9:56 pm
#2004
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: Passport Delays
Travel agent might not know the answer....but as this has been answered already, numerous times...the quick answer is "yes, it can be done"
The UK doesn't require UKC's to enter the UK on their UK passport, unlike the US for instance. You just need to use a passport that is fit for the purpose of the trip, so from a country not needing a visa, that country passport would be more than enough.
The UK doesn't require UKC's to enter the UK on their UK passport, unlike the US for instance. You just need to use a passport that is fit for the purpose of the trip, so from a country not needing a visa, that country passport would be more than enough.
Jul 25th 2011, 12:38 am
#2005
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 6
Re: Passport Delays
So here is my up date, called Careline this evening and it would seem my pestering has paid off and the fact that i am travelling in 2 days!!!!! They told me my passports had been completed and printed and gave me a tracking number which I looked up and they are supposed to arrive on Monday
I of course won't be relieved until they are in my nervous, sweaty little hands, talk about cutting it fine, my flight being an early morning one this Wednesday!!!
I also emailed my local MP at home, one to see if they could offer help with my predicament but also in an attempt to get the information out at home, as apart from an article in the Telegraph.co.uk in June there pretty much has been nothing else in the media about our situation. I know that many of you have also contacted your local MP's, Number 10 and relatives in the UK amongst other things in an effort to disseminate this information and good on you. Hopefully someone will get the message and help to sort out this mess for those still caught in the middle of it all.
This site has been the only way most of us have not felt alone in this ordeal,
so thank goodness for all of us and this web site.
For those of you still waiting for passports 
I hope that they come through soon. To all of you who offered advice I thank you. Will let you know if they do indeed arrive in the nick of time.
I of course won't be relieved until they are in my nervous, sweaty little hands, talk about cutting it fine, my flight being an early morning one this Wednesday!!!I also emailed my local MP at home, one to see if they could offer help with my predicament but also in an attempt to get the information out at home, as apart from an article in the Telegraph.co.uk in June there pretty much has been nothing else in the media about our situation. I know that many of you have also contacted your local MP's, Number 10 and relatives in the UK amongst other things in an effort to disseminate this information and good on you. Hopefully someone will get the message and help to sort out this mess for those still caught in the middle of it all.
This site has been the only way most of us have not felt alone in this ordeal,
so thank goodness for all of us and this web site.
For those of you still waiting for passports I hope that they come through soon. To all of you who offered advice I thank you. Will let you know if they do indeed arrive in the nick of time.
Jul 25th 2011, 3:37 am
#2006
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 29
Re: Passport Delays
Has anyone sent in an application with missing paperwork/incorrect supporting documents? I did not send in my mother's dissolution of marriage certificate (the marriage before hers and my father's). They said they needed to prove that my parents' marriage certificate was legal. I have obtained the diss. of marriage cert. and I'm sending it off tomorrow, but I just wanted to know how long it usually takes once they receive it.
Jul 25th 2011, 12:42 pm
#2007
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3
Re: Passport Delays
Hi All,
Thanks for the great info posted on here. It's been very helpful.
Can anyone comment on the following scenario?
- I mailed my passport application on 6/28 via USPS
- confirmed via USPS website the package was delivered in Washington on 6/30
- Yesterday I received a return receipt from the USPS and that was stamped by the British Passport office with a date on 7/18.
So, my application was delivered on 6/30 by USPS but made it to whomever in the British Passport office in Washington that accepts packages and stamped on 7/18. Is the clock ticking as of 6/30 or 7/18? Anyone know?
Thanks!
- Rob
Thanks for the great info posted on here. It's been very helpful.
Can anyone comment on the following scenario?
- I mailed my passport application on 6/28 via USPS
- confirmed via USPS website the package was delivered in Washington on 6/30
- Yesterday I received a return receipt from the USPS and that was stamped by the British Passport office with a date on 7/18.
So, my application was delivered on 6/30 by USPS but made it to whomever in the British Passport office in Washington that accepts packages and stamped on 7/18. Is the clock ticking as of 6/30 or 7/18? Anyone know?
Thanks!
- Rob
Just an update for everyone out there on my progress:
- I mailed my passport application on 6/28 via USPS
- confirmed via USPS website the package was delivered in Washington on 6/30
- Yesterday I received a return receipt from the USPS and that was stamped by the British Passport office with a date on 7/18.
- Credit Card was charged on 7/20
So, it was 3 weeks between they received the application and when my CC was charged. Not too bad, I guess.
Jul 25th 2011, 4:05 pm
#2008
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Manhattan
Posts: 2,913
Re: Passport Delays
[QUOTE=robbytnyc;9517562]Just an update for everyone out there on my progress:
- I mailed my passport application on 6/28 via USPS
- confirmed via USPS website the package was delivered in Washington on 6/30
- Yesterday I received a return receipt from the USPS and that was stamped by the British Passport office with a date on 7/18.
- Credit Card was charged on 7/20
So, it was 3 weeks between they received the application and when my CC was charged. Not too bad, I guess.[/QUO
It was 3 weeks from when they received my husbnads passport as well until they charged the card. Unfortunately it was 11 weeks after that when we actually received his passport! Luckily we had no travel plans. I never spoke to Careline. I hope everyone gets their passports soon!
- I mailed my passport application on 6/28 via USPS
- confirmed via USPS website the package was delivered in Washington on 6/30
- Yesterday I received a return receipt from the USPS and that was stamped by the British Passport office with a date on 7/18.
- Credit Card was charged on 7/20
So, it was 3 weeks between they received the application and when my CC was charged. Not too bad, I guess.[/QUO
It was 3 weeks from when they received my husbnads passport as well until they charged the card. Unfortunately it was 11 weeks after that when we actually received his passport! Luckily we had no travel plans. I never spoke to Careline. I hope everyone gets their passports soon!
Jul 25th 2011, 6:40 pm
#2009
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 6
Re: Passport Delays
Hooray, passports arrived this morning via UPS, 13 weeks from start to finish, 4 frantic calls to Careline, one email to Nicola Blackwood MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, lots of gnashing of teeth and the last 3 nights of little sleep worrying whether they would arrive in time!!!!!!! A big thank you to Sharon and Peter at Careline who sent the Washington office emails on my case. thank you to the "red team" at the passport office for getting the job done in time for me to take the grand kids home to see Granny and Grandad and their new cousin.
MrsEars hope your passport did arrive, I know you were due to travel about the same time as me.
To all of those waiting hope you get your passports soon, keep calling Careline, a stressful process but worth it in the end. Now just have to pack!!!!!!
MrsEars hope your passport did arrive, I know you were due to travel about the same time as me.
To all of those waiting hope you get your passports soon, keep calling Careline, a stressful process but worth it in the end. Now just have to pack!!!!!!
Jul 25th 2011, 7:39 pm
#2010
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4
Re: Passport Delays
Thanks for all advice ....finally got my passport sent 4th April ....recieved 19th July Hope everyone else gets sorted..
Hope everyone else gets sorted..