Ellieined

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  • in reply to: New Passport Upgrade Service! #17665
    Ellieined
    Participant

    An update!

    So, after sending the request (on Saturday) to the upgrade team where my daughter’s passport application had been transferred to, I got an acknowledgement on Monday, telling me I’d be contacted.
    I got a call today – actually, 3 (I missed the 2 first ones. Beware it’s a ‘No caller ID’)…
    The man I had on the phone was very pleasant, very efficient, and offered me to upgrade (I was almost 7 weeks since application). It seems that they now have 2 upgrade levels (and price): 7 and 2 days – depending on when you request the upgrade?

    Nevertheless, I paid the upgrade top-up on the phone, and my daughter’s passport was printed within a couple of hours. Now praying for all the documents to reach me (I went for the courried delivery rather than going to the passport office… so the saga might not end there).

    I find it puzzling that the application just sat between passport offices for weeks, when everything was fine with both the paperwork and photo, for a straightforward renewal submitted online. Maybe dual nationals are processed manually because the foreign passport must be sent along with the old British passport?

    The difference in tone between the helpline and the upgrade team was staggering: helpline- mostly a waste of time; upgrade team- super accommodating, lovely and VERY professional.
    I looked at the last passport application I did in 2019 – it took 8 days. Same conditions, same paperwork – now almost a couple of month, and could have been longer if we didn’t have a flight to catch within days.

    It’s been exhausting. Because of the foreign passport rule (it’s confiscated until your British passport is approved), I doubt I’ll ever use the standard service again. Now let’s wait for the passport to be in our hands (I’ll keep you updated).

    I hope that the story will end well for you all guys too.

    in reply to: New Passport Upgrade Service! #17539
    Ellieined
    Participant

    @Pavel84 I got an acknowledgement 48 hours after I sent my request to the upgrade team (Glasgow Office). I would call them back if you haven’t got anything back within 2 days.

    in reply to: New Passport Upgrade Service! #17532
    Ellieined
    Participant

    @Pavel84. Call the passport helpline. Ask to be passed on to the upgrade team. Your passport might have been sent to another office – this isn’t updated on the tracker. Once you know where is your application, email the relevant upgrade team. Have you provided proof of travel, and indicated your flight date in your email subject?

    • This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by Ellieined.
    in reply to: New Passport Upgrade Service! #17514
    Ellieined
    Participant

    Hi there, I finally heard back from the upgrade team, who acknowledged my email, and sent me the same message: they are prioritising by date, know that I need the passport by 22nd May, asked not to keep in touch before they contact me. The ‘processing stage’ has disappeared from my tracker as well. One lives in hope….

    in reply to: New Passport Upgrade Service! #17387
    Ellieined
    Participant

    OK thanks. @joesteinberg90 did you call to check where your passport was before going to London? When I first requested an upgrade (14 days before travel) I was advised by Newport that my passport wasn’t there anymore. I had to call the passport helpline to find out where it had gone. I read some applications have been transferred through multiple offices. Maybe try to contact Peterborough while on your way back home?

    in reply to: New Passport Upgrade Service! #17377
    Ellieined
    Participant

    Brilliant, thanks @lindsay11uk. Am a bit puzzled by the new ‘6 weeks rule’ though. Is it from application or from receipt of documents?
    My daughter’s passport is stuck in Glasgow, in the manual processing hellhole – despite the straightforward renewal being submitted online. I applied on 26th April, documents were received on 2nd May but acknowledged on 6th May. We fly in 9 days. I had no clue foreign official documents (her EU passport) would be confiscated throughout the process, and released only after approval (France doesn’t ask for foreign passports when renewing French passports). It has a considerable impact, considering the process can take over 14 weeks, and kids’ passports are only valid for 5 years….
    I have been told to expect a call from the upgrade team – still waiting. I have also emailed the Glasgow upgrade team but haven’t heard back. My MP’s team has also asked for my daughter’s passport to be released.
    I am wondering if I should just go to the office on 21st or 22nd.
    Thoughts?
    Thanks so much to everyone for their help!!

    • This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by Ellieined.
    in reply to: Glasgow #17315
    Ellieined
    Participant

    Passport application transferred to Glasgow (from Newport). Still waiting for action. No sign of passport. God know when this straightforward child renewal will be effectively ‘processed’.

    Application being processed 2:13pm on 16 May 2022
    Documents received 3:53pm on 6 May 2022
    Application received 8:02pm on 28 April 2022
    Identity details received 8:02pm on 28 April 2022
    Email sent to person confirming your identity 7:13pm on 27 April 2022
    Ask someone to confirm your identity 9:33pm on 26 April 2022
    Application submitted 9:33pm on 26 April 2022

    in reply to: Need my supporting docs back! #17009
    Ellieined
    Participant

    @nkm2004
    Many thanks, that’s really helpful. I have travel booked for 23rd June, and MP team involved. Hopefully this will work! Let me know how you get on? I’ll update on my side too. Many thanks to you all!

    in reply to: Passport updates issues #16897
    Ellieined
    Participant

    Straightforward child application – no change of name, address, or anything else. Sent documents to Newport.
    Application still being processed, no news whatsoever, I am told they can’t do anything/expedite ‘because it is a child renewal’. Foreign passport being held during this process, might not be released before the end of the process…. that has no ending date….

    Why the HO keeps foreign document is inexplicable. It takes a few seconds to scan them.

    Application being processed on 16 May 2022
    Documents received on 6 May 2022
    Application received on 28 April 2022
    Identity details received on 28 April 2022
    Email sent to person confirming your identity on 27 April 2022
    Ask someone to confirm your identity on 26 April 2022
    Application submitted on 26 April 2022

    in reply to: Need my supporting docs back! #16765
    Ellieined
    Participant

    Renewed my child’s passport. Applied on 26th April, documents are still being processed but I understand that I can’t have her foreign passport back before the new British passport is issued. Is this true? How can HO justify hogging foreign travel documents for so long? Is there any way I could get her foreign passport?

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)