So for anyone who was following my post from last couple of weeks….
Submitted 21st Jan – Received 8th March
My travel date was 9th March for a work trip.
I did my renewal online and uploaded my own photo that was accepted and application submitted. I found out on 5th March from progress team that my phot was actually rejected due to a slight shadow on my face but I was never asked for a new photo. Apparently if the robot rejects it then it goes to manual processing and has to physically go into to someone’s hand to be checked. I imagine this is why some take long than others. Eventually after A LOT of calling, pestering, uploading my evidence of travelling I was called by Peterborough office evening of the 7th March advising me that it was now with them (I had requested local printing so that I could go and collect instead of wait for delivery) She told me as it was now urgent they would do there best to get it done and would call me back in the morning. I had to call customer management team twice before 12pm the next day pushing for an update and then about 15 mins after my 2nd phone call Peterborough office called me to ask me to collect my passport from Peterborough office that afternoon. Of course I went to collect and thankfully managed to make it on my trip.
Based on my experience I would recommend having and professional passport photo done to avoid application moving over to a manual system. Clearly I’m made up that I managed to get it in time but I’m very disappointed that if I had been given the opportunity to submit and new photo on 4th Feb then potentially I could have avoided a lot of stress and a 5 hour round trip and the fuel having to drive to collect. I’m considering putting in a complaint