New Passport Upgrade Service!

Dose anyone know if the passport offices are open Thursday and friday next week we are due to fly sunday the 5th so just trying to work out when will be good to go down there dont want to get turned away because to early but also if the bank holidays aren't a working day for them gives me less time to get my passports sorted. Oh the stress is so real 😭

@KS1982 How do you request a callback from upgrade team? I thought email was the correct approach, as I was advised by progress team. Also, are they dealing with those within 6 weeks of application? Thanks

I originally spoke to the progress team however, call 01633 745709 they can do it as well. All they do is request a callback which happens within 24 hours in my case 2 hours later, you then give them your details application date, date of travel etc then you get an automated email saying thanks for submitting an upgrade request please send your evidence to "provide correct upgrade team email" then you just have to wait for the final callback confirming your passport can be processed and they discuss whether you wish to collect at nearest office or have it posted to you. No all upgrades are processed for passports over 6 weeks old I've been told this several times now.

@naomi- from what I've heard they won't be, but don't take that as gospel.

Hiya!! I’m in the same boat as you all.. renewed my passport in March, requested an upgrade last Wednesday, fly 1st June and still nothing. Hoping to hear by Monday but just wondered - when the upgrade team call to say your passport can be collected, do they give you a reference or do you just turn up to get it? Local office is London if that makes a difference? I’m 7 months pregnant and never needed a holiday more!!!

Hey you don't get a reference you just use you application number, what you will see is suddenly you passport application status change etc. I travel 31st and got a call this morning, try chasing again with another email to the upgrades team just with the date of travel in the subject line.

Thank you, I’ve chased a couple of times but will keep going! I’m tempted to go down there on Monday and chain myself to the railings haha!!

My 10 yr old's passport has been in 'Your application is being processed' status since 7 May. We fly away on 2Jun so really getting stressed. We were asked to send proof of travel to Newport on 18May and we did that. We were then asked to send it to Liverpool yesterday on 25th May and we have done that. Contacted our MP but MP has said this will not be processed since it is not in the 6 week window. I was in tears reading that email from MP. I feel I should just go to my local passport office in London and plead. Any suggestions?

Hello. I'm in a similar situation as i'm currently under the 6 week window, but am now needing to fly for business critical reasons. Unsure whether I should just go to the newport depot which is my local depot to get this sorted!

Also, does anyone know how can I tell if my upgrade request has been accepted?

I too do not meet the criteria for the six weeks, but am planning on going to Peterborough tomorrow morning. As far as I can tell from reading online, London don't have an enquiries queue at Passport office, so they won't let you speak to anyone (You can only get in if you are collecting passport). We are due to fly Sunday morning, wedding is on Monday. I think chances aren't great, but I'm going to give it a go, Ill kick myself if I don't. The only acknowledgement I got re upgrade was the automated response saying my date of travel has been noted. I am heartened that no news is good news and I haven't been refused yet!

@marylondon please let us know how it went in Peterborough. If you are successful, I will make the trip to Peterborough on Monday

@passportwoes I will do!

Hi MaryLondon, my wife just got back from the London office. They won't let you inside unless you flight is within 48 hours although they did let my wife go in and our flight is 4th June. They do have a general enquiries queue but again this is usually just for those within 48 hours of travel. It is a little bit like a mad house in there apparently, I've heard good things about Peterborough. Regarding Upgrade I would advise first speaking to Progress Team where they send you an email confirming which Office you need send your evidence to along with other info such as applicaiton number (this has to be done within 48 hours from when you receive the first email from Progress Team. You then receive a seperate email from the Upgrade Team from the office confirming of the date you travel. If you have just received the second part I'm assuming this is all ok but I only got the second email once I spoke to Progress Team.

Hello everyone, So I rocked up to the London office this morning at 0645!! Was already a queue, got in at 8ish. By around 1200 I had been told they were prioritising people traveling today / tomorrow and I would need to come back Friday. I then spoke with a manager who said they would review, however 15 mins later I got a call from a no caller ID and lo and behold it was the upgrade team in Liverpool!! Upgrade sorted, not enough time to get from London today as the collection office closes at 1600 but I will be back in the morning to collect. What I would say is there is no point turning up at London office unless you are within 48 hours of travel. Also get there early. Good luck to everyone else

@marylondon following this too as I'm planning on going to the Newport office on the Saturday

Hey LondonBen Which upgrade teams did you email?

Can anyone share experience from when you have received the 'acknowledgement' of upgrade email. Not the immediate one asking you to send evidence but the one that states 'received request and your date of travel is xxx'? How quickly did a call come after this?

@Londonben OOh that's interesting.Thank you so much for the information. I will be within 48 hours of travel tomorrow morning! So perhaps I will try the London office first. Ill do same as you and get there very early, How many people were in front of you in queue when you arrived at 6.45am? I could head to Peterborough if I have no luck. On my initial phone call to passport office I was advised to contact and send evidence to Durham. As I sent all the evidence in the initial email I haven't received a separate request. Just an acknowledgement that they know im travelling Sunday and not to contact them again (as if!)

Hi Freddie, Initially just Liverpool, then all of them In desperation yesterday, my application was with Liverpool so went with them initially. Was them who called today. When i got there at 0645 there were maybe 6/8 in front of me.

Has anyone turned up to an office having met all the criteria (over 6 weeks and within 48 hours of travel) and not been able to leave with their passport? This idea is all that’s keeping me going.

Being within 48 hours doesn’t guarantee you will get sorted. Today in London they were prioritising those traveling today and tomorrow- if I hadn’t got the call from the upgrade team I would have been back there tomorrow.

Just wondering when we should try going to the office if our upstage doesn’t work. Still a week off from applying for it so time to think. Or worry lol 😂

LondonBen did they mention if they would be open over the Jubilee Bank holiday Thursday and Friday next week? I received an email requesting to send evidence to London Upgrade Team which I did, today I received an email from LondonUpgradeTeam telling me they have noted I need my passport by 4th June but on the phone they said the 2 passports are in Liverpool. I don't know whether to wait till Monday then start blasting emails and phone calls everywhere or wait for the call from them. Last resort I think I'll be down there Tuesday and Wednesday just incase they are closed over the bank holiday. Chat is terrible and are the people on the phone, how can you not be able to provide opening hours!

I didn’t ask sorry