Recent UK Passport Applicant Timelines

They rejected 2 identity checks despite meeting the criteria for no given reason. After having the passport for more than a month they then asked for written permission from the other parent. Made official complaint on how it was handled and time frame.

Timeline for child UK passport (renewal) from Karachi (Pakistan). Applied at VFS Karachi on 3 July. Application received by HMPO on 7 July. Application approved 16 July. Passport collection (email and call both) received from VFS Karachi on 4 Aug, collected same day.

Applied from Saudi Arabia Documents received (KSA): 10 May 2026 Documents returned: 8 May 2026 Passport printed: 5 May 2026 Application approved: 5 May 2026 Documents received (HMPO): 24 April 2026 Documents delivered (UK): 21 April 2026 Documents posted: 15 April 2026 Application received: 14 April 2026 Application submitted: 14 April 2026

We mailed our documents in the UK during a visit, which saved time and money. We were unexpectedly asked for a letter from the non-applying parent to confirm approval of the application; we would have had that ready earlier had we known it was required.

It took almost 3 weeks from the time I posted the supporting documents in France to them being delivered to the Passport Office in Corby. Then 9 days for the new passport to be approved and issued. Return timeframe was under 1 week as the Passport Office use DHL.

Very fast. Great service. Only had to submit old passport (2years expired) and photocopy of all pages of Aussie passport.

Did not expect to have to have identification verified, added time