British Passport application processing timelines (only)

Crommers wrote:YES... I am having the exact same problem! I got my letter on 21/05/14 and started trying on 22nd to no avail. I have left several messages for a call back and was calling them again this morning, when I think it might have been them calling me, and I missed their call!

They must be super busy with people trying to organise interviews - hopefully we both get one sorted soon.

R

If you are available now, try to call them! I finally gone through and booked the interview on next Wed.! Brilliant try after 16 minutes waiting!
They do not try to sending you though auto call back strange enough this afternoon~so I was just holding on it! Feeling better!
Hope you are the same! Good luck@

Hi,
Currently there is a wait and delay if you are trying to get an appointment for the passport interviews.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -time.html

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Postal to Durham
Date of application: 16th April 2014
Date application received by IPS: 17th April
Text Message Received: 23 April 2014
Date of return of documents: 24 May 2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: awaiting but apparently sent on 23rd by second class.
Date of Passport Appointment: awaiting
Date of Passport Receipt: awaiting

Thought my experience may help someone else out there in similar situation…I ended up requiring my NZ passport back urgently due to travel plans being brought forward from originally needing to travel mid June.

On the 16th May after numerous attempts to get through on the 0300 number I spoke to someone in the ‘progress’ team, second tier of the initial person you speak with. They advised I put in writing a request to withdraw my application as I needed my passport urgently. I sent this off immediately via special delivery with another reply paid special delivery envelope.

This was signed for on 19th May, on the 20th May, could not get through to anyone at all to ask about progress despite being on redial all day. On 21st May, spoke to someone at 0300 number who was somewhat clueless and had difficulty taking my details down to even find my application, suggested I stay home and wait for post as well as answer my phone to any calls!!

On 22nd May, I rang 08456015175 number to Durham, waited on hold for 33 minutes before speaking to someone who felt confident my passport could be returned that day and assured me someone would call me back that day, that didn’t happen.

On 23rd May, made 3 attempts to get through to the 0845 numbers, the first 2 times being disconnected after approx 16 and 33 minutes. On the 3rd attempt, remained on hold for over 50 minutes which was painful due to the repeated 30 second loop message, (ignore the repeating statement that you must have an interview letter, they will deal with you and didn’t mention it to me).

The person I spoke to said that they were extremely busy and someone might be able to put my passport in the post but they would call me back later…didn’t warm to my offer to personally pop up to Durham from London to collect.
About 2 hours later, someone did call me back and was very helpful saying that he was going to post it now in the envelope and had requested Saturday delivery, also to my surprise said that I wasn’t going to have to redo an application for a British passport despite my letter of withdrawal, he would send out interview letter at same time separately so I can book appointment on my return early June. True to his word, my passport and documents were returned this morning with a note saying interview letter was on the way, so off I fly on Monday!

Good luck to you all! Thanks for the info posted on the immigration boards as it has been so helpful at various points in the past 8 years!

Has anyone collected their passport from the London Passport Office at Victoria? If so, what time is best of turn up so I have not been given any time of collection by the DX delivery people.

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult First after naturalization
Application Type: New
Method of application: postal check and send service Putney
Date of application: 29th April 2014
Date application received by IPS: 2nd May 2014
Text Message Received: NEVER
Date of return of documents: AWAITING
Date of receipt of interview letter: awaiting
Date of Passport Appointment: awaiting
Date of Passport Receipt: awaiting
Does any one else think its weird that its almost a month and there is not even a letter stating that they have received my app, i know they got it on the 2nd as i called them up. I just want my first passport , My nana is so unwell

chris1401 wrote:Method of Application: PO check and send
Date of Application: 07/05/14
Date of Application Received by IPS: 13/05/14
Date of SMS Received: 13/05/14
Date of Fees deduction: N/A
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter: 23/05/14 (Dated 22/05/14)
Date of Return of Documents:awaiting
Date of Interview booked: 23/05/14 ( interview date 28/05/14)
Date of Passport Receipt: awaiting

This has been quick for a first time passport, Could anyone tell me how much longer till i get the passport and what the interview will be like.

Many Thanks

you are so lucky i applied in april 29th and still not even a recognition that they received my application,

Method of Application: Post Office check & send
Date of Application: 24/04/2014
Application for: Myself
Date of SMS Received:28/04/2014
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter:16/05/2014
Date of Return of Documents: still waiting
Date of Interview booked:20/05/2014
Date of Passports received:23/05/2014
Thanks a lot every body and specially this forum.
I am still waiting for my documents which is not returned to me
I am bit worry,Any one have the same experience or suggestions please???

UPDATING TIMELINE

The Avatar wrote:Applied online and regret already but lets see how it goes. I put my parents details in a cover letter, not sure if this will make a difference but hey...

Application Timeline

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New (Naturalised)
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 25/04/2014 (posted special delivery on 28/04/2014. Arrived at HMPO Belfast 29/04/2014)
Date sms received : --
Date of receipt of interview reference: 15/05/2014 (dated 13/05/2014)
Date of receipt of interview letter: 17/05/2014 (email confirmation 16/05/2014)
Date of Passport Appointment: 19/05/2014 (LUTON)
Date of return of supporting documents: 23/05/2014
Date of Passport Receipt: 23/05/2014 (printed on 20/05/2014)

All the best to everyone in their journey!

Hi Avtar!

Like you mentioned that you were regretting after applying through online system. Did they still ask you to send them a paper based full application? Or they were happy to accept online application only? Thanks in advance for your reply.

Regards,

Jasim

jmehmud wrote:Hi Avtar!

Like you mentioned that you were regretting after applying through online system. Did they still ask you to send them a paper based full application? Or they were happy to accept online application only? Thanks in advance for your reply.

Regards,

Jasim

Hi, they didn't ask me for anything else. I was not asked to fill in any other paper application. The online form and my cover letter were sufficient. The information on my cover letter were in the same format had they asked me to fill in another paper application. Hope this helps.

Thanks Avtar

Update

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: First time (naturalised citizen)
Method of application: PO Check & Send
Date of application: 21/05/2014
Date application received by IPS (post tracking): 23/05/2014
SMS received: 26/05/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter:
Date of return of documents:
Date of Passport Appointment:
Date of Passport Receipt:

Passport for: A family
Application Type: First time (naturalised citizen)
Method of application: Post
Date of application: 21/05/2014
Date application received by IPS (post tracking): 22/05/2014
SMS received: 26/05/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter:
Date of return of documents:
Date of Passport Appointment:
Date of Passport Receipt:

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult First (Naturalization)
Application Type: New
Method of application: Post Office Check and Send
Date of application: 29th April 2014
Date application received by IPS: 2nd May 2014
Text Message Received: NEVER (found out about the application receipt by calling the 0300 call centre)
Date of return of documents: awaiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: awaiting
Date of Passport Appointment: awaiting
Date of Passport Receipt: awaiting

I am a frequent traveler (on business) and I've had to submit my current passport with the application. now i read in the news that passport office has a backlog of 300,000 applications. I am really worried as being stuck here can have damaging repercussions for my project and consequently for the career.

I called the 0300 call centre and requested them if by any means the application can be prioritized but it seems that's not possible for first application.

any useful advice from members of forum please? it will be highly appreciated.

BlueBull wrote:Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult First (Naturalization)
Application Type: New
Method of application: Post Office Check and Send
Date of application: 29th April 2014
Date application received by IPS: 2nd May 2014
Text Message Received: NEVER (found out about the application receipt by calling the 0300 call centre)
Date of return of documents: awaiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: awaiting
Date of Passport Appointment: awaiting
Date of Passport Receipt: awaiting

I am a frequent traveler (on business) and I've had to submit my current passport with the application. now i read in the news that passport office has a backlog of 300,000 applications. I am really worried as being stuck here can have damaging repercussions for my project and consequently for the career.

I called the 0300 call centre and requested them if by any means the application can be prioritized but it seems that's not possible for first application.

any useful advice from members of forum please? it will be highly appreciated.

you and me we have the same date of sending and being received by HMPS...I did not get the sms either and when i called them today they said that i should be receiving my interview letter any time now. i am so desperate

Zainy wrote:Method of Application: Post Office check & send
Date of Application: 24/04/2014
Application for: Myself
Date of SMS Received:28/04/2014
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter:16/05/2014
Date of Return of Documents: still waiting
Date of Interview booked:20/05/2014
Date of Passports received:23/05/2014
Thanks a lot every body and specially this forum.
I am still waiting for my documents which is not returned to me
I am bit worry,Any one have the same experience or suggestions please???

apparently your supporting documents get back to you 12 weeks after your application is done so wait 2 weeks.

Type of Application: Adult First (Naturalization)
Method of Application: Post Office check & send
Date of Application: 16/05/2014
Date of SMS Received: 22/05/2014
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter: Awaiting
Date of Return of Documents: Awaiting
Date of Interview booked: Awaiting
Date of Passports received: Awaiting

So I applied on 22nd April, Received SMS text on 25th April but still no interview letter.

I rang Durham Office today and the lady said she's not sure I will even get a letter by next week she said if you lucky properly I should get something week commence 9th June. That means over 6 weeks of applying.

Anyone is this situation or know what I can do. This is just really frustrating

ah_kassem wrote:Application Type: New, first adult passport
Method of application: Check and send (london)
Date of application: 01/05/2014
Date SMS Received: never recieved one
Date of return of documents: Pending
Date of receipt of interview letter: 22/05/2014
Date of interview appointment: pending
Date of SMS that Passport is being printed: pending
Date of Passport Receipt: pending

I have never recieved an SMS is that unusual??

we recieved the interview letter on 22/05 and we havebeen trying to call to book interview since then.

Updated passport application timeline below:

• Passport for: Adult
  Application Type: New
  Method of application: Check & Send
  
  Date of application: 22/04/2014
  Date of receipt by IPS: 28/04/2014 (SMS received)
  Date of return of documents: -
  Date of receipt of interview letter: 16/05/2014 (letter dated 14/05/2014)
  Date of passport appointment: 20/05/2014
  Date of passport receipt: 27/05/2014 (missed DX delivery attempt on 22/05/2014)

Passport for: Family (Me and Mrs)
Application Type: First Adult Passport(s)
Method of application: ONLINE
Date of application: 30/04/2014
Date application received by HPMO(Peterborough) (post tracking): 07/05/2014
SMS received: NONE (yet)
Date of receipt of interview letter: PENDING
Date of return of documents: PENDING
Date of Passport Appointment: PENDING
Date of Passport Receipt: PENDING

Status Online: Declaration form received, being processed

My Status:

Passport for: Myself
Application Type: First Adult Passport (Overseas Applicant: Australian National who is British Citizen by descent, applying from the USA)
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 11/04/2014
Date application received by HPMO(Durham): ~21/04/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: None
Date of return of documents: None
Date of Passport Appointment: None
Date of Passport Receipt: None

I have been tracking my application through HMPO online system and the status has been "Declaration form received, being processed" for over a month now. Don't have the luxury of calling the HMPO as hold times of 45 minutes and international calls don't mix. Kind of unsure what to do as others on this forum have applied after me and already received their passport. I think it may just be that the Durham office is especially swamped. I know that when I applied it said expect to wait at least six weeks, but now the site says at least ten weeks...

Has anyone successfully requested that their documents be returned to them immediately, without having to withdraw the application? Why can they not just make copies of the documents as soon as they receive them and then return the originals immediately? I don't really understand why they need to hold on to my Australian passport for 6 weeks.

20/05/2014 I've got British sitizenship certificate

Application Timeline for my passport
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send or Postal
Date of application: 27/05/2014
Date application received by IPS:
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter:
Date of Passport Appointment:
Date of Passport Receipt:

Anyone who has collected their passport from the Passport Office at London Victoria, can you please tell me what time is best to collect? Thanks.

Hi

I am senidng my passport appliation tomorrow, do i need to send my Indian passport aling with the application?

Thanks