'Application approved' vs 'Application being processed' - when do you know?

I think at this stage it's anyone's guess - hopefully they are working hard to knock down the back log - but I suspect it's a case of it will happen when it happens I am afraid. You're right about the digital route and the updates around that so be aware requesting a call back can be enough to knock your application off the digital route.

From what I've seen, if it was going to go to processing (manual route) then it will change to it a lot faster, usually within about a week of documents received (as long as they're not waiting for anything else from you). Pretty much all the other times I've seen people wait 1-2 weeks after documents received it's gone straight to approved. The change to "processing" doesn't mean they're actually processing it, it just means it's been put on the pile to go to manual processing. Where as there's no "gone to digital processing" update, you have to just wait for the approved so it might seem like it's not moving. I'd say currently the wait is 2-4 weeks digital and 8-10 manual depending on what they need from you and whether they transfer it internally.

My son's child to adult renewal has been moving along pretty quick and went from "Documents Received" to "Approved" in 5 days. You are correct regarding the different pathways between "Approved" (online) and "In process" (manual). I was dreading the latter, but feel I can breathe a little bit easier at the moment, but I will not feel completely at peace until the passport is physically in my hands.

Both myself and my wife recently went for our passports, it took about 6 days for mine to be approved after Documents received, 16 days in total from applying to recieving the passport, same as the wife and shes due hers today.

I am on week 16 now of my waiting !! My application for my renewal was received on Jan 14th and shows as "Your application is being processed" since March the 8th. I am an expat that works abroad, I had to return to the UK on an Emergency Travel Document as my renewal passport hadn't reached me in time and so my passport expired (I applied in time for the processing times to deliver it). I am now back in the UK have been for over a month now waiting for my passport, I cannot return to my home, work or family until I receive my renewal and have been told by my emloyer if I'm not back in the next week I also loose my job. I'm at a loss, trying to get through to the 0300 number is not only near impossib;;le but also costs a fortune in telephone calls being put on hold and then being told to try calling again later.

Ours went to Processing the day after documents were officially received. I'm assuming this is because one document needs to be used for both applications. Fortunately we are not waiting on them for travel, as they sat on the documents for 4 weeks before acknowledging receipt and have been in processing for 3 weeks now.

Has anyone had a short wait between 'application being processed' and 'application approved'? This thread has pushed me close to the edge with worry. Application being processed 2:56pm on 19 May 2022 Documents received 5:07pm on 12 May 2022 Application received 8:50pm on 28 April 2022 Application submitted 8:50pm on 28 April 2022

I’m on a very similar timeline to you for my daughters passport, it’s been sat on “in process” since May 11th, I’m preparing myself for a long wait. We travel in August, i just hope it’s not too long

@schpilkers please let me know if you get any movement.. I’ll do the same. Also, which office is yours at? Mines at Newport

Application history StatusDate Application being processed 5:13pm on 8 April 2022 Documents received 1:05pm on 8 April 2022 Application received 12:24pm on 16 March 2022 Identity details received 12:24pm on 16 March 2022 Email sent to person confirming your identity 9:01am on 16 March 2022 Ask someone to confirm your identity 8:52am on 16 March 2022 Application submitted 8:52am on 16 March 2022 This is for partners first passport, we fly june 20th. Starting to get worried now.

Will do. We’re Hemel.

Thanks. Will do, we’re Hemel.

Does anyone know if there any any updates between documents received status to when it is approved? This is my current timeline, hoping to see a change very soon 🤞🏻 Application history StatusDate Documents received 6:02pm on 9 May 2022 Application received 9:28pm on 23 April 2022 Application submitted 9:28pm on 23 April 2022

Looking for some advise, Submitted daughters first adult passport on April 8th been in processing since April 28th, keep seeing the average days from this site decreasing to around 35 days, I'm now on day 44, I allowed the 10 weeks but is there anything I can do for progress, I don't even know where my daughters passport is being processed, any advise appreciated

I think it’s a waiting game to be honest, we can’t really do anything until the 10 weeks breach and even then it’s a nightmare getting hold of anyone to push it through (looking at other peoples experience) I’m just praying my daughters moves on within the 10 weeks, I really don’t want a stressful few weeks trying to escalate it weeks before my holiday

This is what I'm confused about. Some people are saying you can't do anything until the 10 weeks has passed but others are saying you can do something if it's two weeks before your flight. If your flight is within those 10 weeks is that okay? On top of that, there's confusion about when the 10 weeks start. Some say it's from the date of lodging the application, others from documents received, yet others from documents processing. Which of all those it is? The government website is not clear on this at all.

It's surely 10 weeks from the date of application, has to be, yet still the time on here keeps reducing for passport times, and yet I'm still waiting.

Application being processed 10:26am on 5 May 2022 Identity details received 9:15am on 29 April 2022 Email sent to person confirming your identity 9:41pm on 28 April 2022 Email sent to person confirming your identity 1:18pm on 28 April 2022 Email sent to person confirming your identity 1:03pm on 28 April 2022 Ask someone to confirm your identity 1:01pm on 28 April 2022 Application submitted 1:01pm on 28 April 2022 This is mine no movement since 5th May for renewal

My wives passport took 17 days in total from Durham Mine took 23 days from Peterborough as they said I may have spelt my own surname wrong!!!! had to send birth certificate but even with that, 23 days till passport in hand.

Hi to All, I was told the process starts as soon as you have applied online, I posted my old one recently which has been confirmed delivered by the post office. Has anyone seen anything ie an email or contact number for Hemel to chase receipt of old passports?

Has anyone tried to get their valid EU passport back from HMPO when applying for the first adult U.K. passport? I need to fly next week, my British passport won’t be ready with all these delays and I only want my supporting documents back! I have been calling helpline daily but no one is able to tell me what to do…

Hi Schpilkers, Mine moved from processing to approved yesterday.. I did an online chat to ask for an update, I was told it was with an examiner and it wouldn’t be too much longer.. 45mins later it was approved. I think the web chat gave it a nudge, either that or it was complete coincidence.

Hi SWM1982 this is very helpful to me also where did you get the online chat link from please? Thank you

Hi, Link is https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-passport-office/contact/hm-passport-office-webchat It takes some patience, took me about 2 hours to finally see “advisors available”. Then you have to be very quick to click and enter your details before someone else gets in first. Good luck!

Submitted my sons renewal and has gone to application processing, unlike mine we have not been asked to confirm identity (online application both), will this be part of the processing stage or as it’s been look at by an examiner is it not needed now? It’s with an examiner now but been offered no idea how long it will take History StatusDate Application being processed 12:37pm on 15 May 2022 Documents received 2:22pm on 12 May 2022 Application received 11:39am on 17 April 2022 Application submitted 11:39am on 17 April 2022 Thanks in advance