We recently spoke with Dr Michael Hodge, data scientist, who has recently created a really helpful method to get notified when fast track/premium appointments are available.
If you need to get your passport quickly you have 2 options.
1 Week Fast Track (Passport delivered to you within 7 days)
- Get a paper application form from a Post Office - you cannot apply online.
- Book an appointment online and pay the fee.
- Fill in your application form and gather your documents before your appointment.
Online Premium Service (You get your passport at your appointment)
You’ll apply, pay and book an appointment online. The earliest you can get an appointment is 2 days from when you apply.
You’ll get your new passport at your appointment. Appointments can last up to 30 minutes.
For both of these methods you need to book an appointment at a Passport Office. The big problem people are facing is that you can not book an appointment due to the demand. When you click on the HMPO link you get the message
"Sorry, there are no appointments available"
Michael, the data scientist, set up a bot after his mother faced issues with a passport application earlier this year.
The bot checks the Government website every 60 seconds and issues a Twitter alert when Premium and Fast Track slots are available.
Slots generally become available at a random time on Monday and Friday and unless you snap one up within a few minutes, you will end up out of luck.
Dr Hodge said he’d found that appointments in London are hardest to get while Glasgow and Belfast are more likely options.
The Twitter account is @ukpassportcheck and we recommend following to increase your chances of getting an appointment as soon as they are made available. Once you have followed the account set your Twitter notifications to notify you when the account Tweets.
