Hi all,
I have just been on the phone to the Customer Service Management Team.
Apparently due to the big backlog in passports and it starting to hit the news (a few news articles today) they have realsed a new upgrade path for applications today!
If you can prove you are traveling within two weeks you are able to pay to upgrade. We got told to email a specific new upgrade team email adress stating various things and get contacted to pay and get fast tracked.
Personally we do not travel in two weeks time but I thought I would share with this fourm. Also you seem to get told 101 different things, so would be useful to know if anyone else also got told this!
The person on the phone said no doubt there will be teething problems and is not free.
If you are traveling within two weeks or about to, I would call up and ask about this serivce.
If you have any sucess please do let me know!
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New Passport Upgrade Service!
Travelingsoon12 · 6 Apr 2022, 15:40
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I call the 0300 222 0000 number option 8 and then option 3
Hi there - travelling on the 15th and eagerly awaiting a call from Durham office for my upgrade. Presumably they just take payment on the phone? I see some of you have emailed for updates. The confirmation reply I got to say that they were dealing with requests in date order advised not to email as this could delay application. Is that true? Which email address are you using please to follow up? Thank you!!
Hi All
I sent husbands damaged passport to Petetborough ( chewed by puppy) received by them 29 April saw on some posts have to write separate statement explaining how damage occurred. Anyone know where we send it to. Tried emailing advice line and no replies. Thank you
@Rub_03hen do you know which office are dealing with your application?
The email address is as follows (change for correct office)
PeterboroughUpgradeTeam@hmpo.gov.uk
GlasgowUpgradeTeam@hmpo.gov.uk
You can apply at the two weeks to travel point. Put your date of travel as the subject of the email.
Include all details including attaching proof of flights (booking confirmation). You will not be contact within two working days. They are now saying 48-72 hours before travel. They are working in travel date order
Just had a call back and they advised it takes 2 working days to process so to expect a call today or tomorrow or latest on Monday next week!!! He advised to just sit tight!
So just had email from Peterborough and London upgrade team asking for more information. I have also had a receipt from Newport passport office so my question is are they processing this and if so what office?
@arnoldol Thanks so much for replying!
I sent the documents to Peterborough but haven't actually been told who is dealing with it. Would you just go ahead and email and not wait for the call back from the progress team?
@claloub when did you sent email to apply for upgrade, good that they have emailed you back. What extra info are they asking for.
Only to confirm his date of birth and PEX number. I have emailed so many office since Sunday and Peterborough asked for tracking number cause they were still waiting to receive old passport which was signed for on 29th April. It’s just so confusing
Afternoon All,
Out of interest has anyone booked cheap flights so you can use the upgrade service earlier?
We are due to fly 19th June so have a bit of time on our side although im tempted to just booked a cheap flight so I can start the upgrade process now.
Thoughts?
Regards
If I was in your position I'd do the same, but you'd be taking processing away from someone who has a flight within 2 weeks so my conscience wouldn't let me.
It's so frustrating seeing people getting theirs back within 2 weeks when we've been waiting 8 already and fly in 3 weeks!
Hi guys, sorry to message here again.
Just got an email from the upgrade team saying the following
“We have received your upgrade request and noted your travel date is 29/04/2022.
Upgrade requests are prioritised by date of travel. Therefore, we will be in touch with you as soon as we can.
Please do not send more emails as this may delay your upgrade request.”
Should I still bother ringing them 2 weeks before or just wait?? Thanks!
I emailed the upgrade teams at Peterborough and Durham yesterday (I have two late passports in two offices) - we fly on May 25. I haven't had an acknowledgment or auto-reply and no call. Should I expect them? Or should I follow up with a call?
@katekatekate I am in a similar position - I called up to query this and they said the upgrade team are contacting people based on their departure dates and will be in touch a few days before travel. Doesn't seem to be a lot we can do but wait.
My goodness. It's so, so stressful. Thank you for letting me know.
@amber9514 have you been contacted yet? 🤞
Has anyone had their upgrade posted to them?
I opted for that as the woman on the phone this morning said it will be at your door tomorrow. I said do you promise and she said yes, it’s processed and printed, going out for delivery before noon. I have had two texts to say, it’s been processed and has been printed and that it is being transferred to the delivery supplier in the next few days & they will contact me with a tracking number! I leave in 2 days! I know the woman said it will be here, but now I’m into panic no.2! Will it arrive?! Has anyone else chose the delivery option this close? … thanks in advance xx
I think I would of picked it up just to be on safe side.
I emailed Peterborough upgrade team again today and actually got a response this time whereas I didn’t the other day. It says about not keep emailing though as this will delay things, do people think they just say this to stop constant emails from us ?
I have just had a chat with progress team to get information about the upgrade. Surprise, surprise got connected within 3-5 minutes. I was told as the applications are digital, so we can get in touch with the closes office with upgrade request. The person on the phone advised specifically to enter the date of travel in email subject line to ensure that they notice it. He also added that they get in touch in the date of travel order so they'll probably get in touch closer to the travel time rather 48-72 hours from request date as mentioned by some in different posts here.
I've been contacting HMPO for days now. I booked my flights in February. I lost my passport 26th April and applied for the standard service as the website advised. I travel on 29th May but I need my passport to apply for my visa first. The latest I can apply for my visa is 20th May.
My application is still in the processing stages and I've been told that it's with the Durham office. I'm based in London so is it worth emailing all offices?
I'm really worried that I won't be able to get my visa in time.
Yes definitely email your closest office, I have been told my daughters passport at Peterborough office but I’ve emailed them all and then emailed both Peterborough and also newport again as that’s my closest office
Sorry meant to say passport
@shanisedemi hopefully it’s just an automatic message and you get them tomorrow. Please let me know if you do as I’m quite far from all the passports offices and would be easier if they were posted.
@hayleylou
I will hun, the reason I opted for posting because my car broke down, so I’m using a 16 year old banger right now! I was fearing a long drive and another long drive to London Thursday! The woman did say, promise tomorrow! I’ve got everything crossed! But I will let you know for sure. I’ve got everything crossed for you too! Xx
@hayleylou I’ve just had a text from
Royal Mail, passport being delivered before 9am tomorrow morning! Yay!!
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