British Passport application processing timelines (only)

[keerthi]

I think the below status says it all...

"New passport applicants who are required to have a face-to-face interview are being turned away from the agency's Durham office and directed to other sites in the North of England while no further interviews are being scheduled in London for the time being."



I have applied on 11th Jun, planning to travel by 9th Aug...thought it would be ok, now....

[C0sta]

Guess there's going to big problem if union go ahead with strike ballot!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27879587


Passport Office bosses knew there would be a backlog in applications a year ago but did nothing about it, a PCS union official has told MPs.

Mike Jones said the closure of passport centres at British embassies around the world and the transfer of work to the UK had caused the build-up.

But although managers warned about an extra 350,000 applications last year, they did not bring in extra staff.

Mr Jones is giving evidence to the home affairs committee.

He said Passport Office managers had decided to "use massive amounts of overtime" to deal with the extra work, which "burned the staff out" and led to the present crisis.

Strike ballot
The closure of 22 Passport Offices had added to the pressure - but Passport Office boss Paul Pugh had refused to sit down with the union and discuss recruiting more staff. He refused to rule out a strike ballot if calls for negotiations "continue to be ignored".

Mr Jones told the committee the number of passport applications classed as "work in progress" has gone up by more than 200,000 in the past four months,

He said internal figures on the backlog showed an increase from 289,892 in March to 493,289 on 8 June - that compares with a 70,000 increase in the backlog at the same time last year to 146,939.

Mr Jones accused Home Secretary Theresa May of making "misleading" statements about the number of staff in the Passport Office, claiming there were 550 fewer staff than when the coalition came to power in 2010.

Mrs May says the number of staff dealing with passports has not gone down - and the reduction is down to staff dealing with the now cancelled ID card scheme being shed.

MPs would seek a "full explanation" of long delays in handling applications, committee chairman Keith Vaz said ahead of the session which will also see Mr Pugh questioned.

The hearing comes shortly after the home secretary announced a plan aiming to deal with a backlog of 30,000 cases.

Labour said the spike in demand should have been foreseen and Theresa May should apologise for the "shambles".

In a statement, the Home Office said Mrs May recognised the "understandable concerns" about delays and was "determined to do everything possible, while maintaining the security of the passport, to speed up the system".

The government said last week that people facing delays to their passport renewal would be able to get it fast-tracked for free.

Among other emergency measures, those applying for passports overseas on behalf of their children will be given special travel documents.

'Extraordinary lengths'
Mr Pugh said last week there had been "exceptional" summer demand but that extra staff had been brought in to handle applications.

Mrs May and other Home Office ministers have partly attributed the surge in applications to growing public confidence about the economy.

But critics have blamed the closure of seven overseas passport processing centres, which has seen all the paperwork they used to handle now processed in the UK.

Labour MP Mr Vaz MP said: "The HM Passport Office is in chaos and the Home Secretary's urgent action shows the true scale of the problem."

"We will be asking Mr Pugh for a full explanation of what has happened and specifically how these emergency measures are being put in place.

"It is vital we have the full facts in order to understand whether this government agency is still fit for purpose."

Three million UK passports have been issued in 2014, including more than one million since the start of April, while about 465,000 renewals and first-time passport requests are currently in the system.

In its annual report last year, the Passport Office forecast that changes to the way overseas applications were handled would lead to it dealing with 350,000 more applicants.

[Gnanasekar]

Passport for: Minor (For UK born Child, Both parents on ILR)
Application Type: New
Method of application: Post office Check & Send
Date of application: 10-May-2014
Date application received by IPS: 15-May-2014
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter: Not Applicable
Date of Passport Appointment:
Date of Passport Receipt:

Getting a bit tensed with no progress update even after calling their helpline twice. Have plans for visa and travel. Looks like will cause a mess if it doesn't come back in 6 weeks time. Fingers crossed !

[akash08]

I had a rubbish passport interview this morning I think I'm doomed

http://www.immigrationboards.com/britis ... 66783.html

Any idea what happens if you fail?

Yes. You will be very famous and get a place in the history of UK Immigraiton as the first ever genuine person to fail a passport interview.

Jokes apart, it is not possible for a genuine person to fail in a passport interview, it is impossible. Stop losing your sleep over it.

[ijaz.ahmed]

I had a rubbish passport interview this morning I think I'm doomed

http://www.immigrationboards.com/britis ... 66783.html

Any idea what happens if you fail?

[juliemjohn]

Spidery_thread wrote: Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New, 1st
Method of application: Postal, Special Delivery
Date of application: 02-06-14
Date application received by IPS: 03-06-14
Date of SMS Acknowledgment: 04-06-14
Date of return of documents: 12-06-14
Date of receipt of interview letter: 12-06-14
Date of Passport Appointment: 13-06-14
Date of Passport Receipt: 16-06-14

Hello. How did you manage this in under 2 weeks. Well done!!
Also which Passport Office did you send your application to? Was it Belfast?

[sami01]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New, 1st
Method of application: Postal, Special Delivery
Date of application: 02-06-14
Date application received by IPS: 03-06-14
Date of SMS Acknowledgment: 04-06-14
Date of return of documents: 12-06-14
Date of receipt of interview letter: 12-06-14
Date of Passport Appointment: 13-06-14
Date of Passport Receipt: 16-06-14

Wow that was a quick turnaround, if you don't mind me asking what passport office was dealing with your application?

[Spidery_thread]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New, 1st
Method of application: Postal, Special Delivery
Date of application: 02-06-14
Date application received by IPS: 03-06-14
Date of SMS Acknowledgment: 04-06-14
Date of return of documents: 12-06-14
Date of receipt of interview letter: 12-06-14
Date of Passport Appointment: 13-06-14
Date of Passport Receipt: 16-06-14

[tblum]

Update:

Application Type: New
Method of application: Post Office Check & Send (Norwich)
Date of application: 28 May 2014
Date application received by HMPO: 2 June 2014 (Peterborough)
Date SMS Received: Not received. I used the link on the website to ask about the status of my application on 12th June (Not 3 weeks, but I panicked after the news reports), and got an email today (16th June).

[ladie14]

Application Timeline

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New - First time (Registered Citizen)
Method of application: Online (BETA)
Date of application: 24 Apr 2014 online, 29 May 2014 posted additional form
Date application received by HMPO: 1 May 2014 (Signed For)
HMPO Office: Peterborough
Date SMS Received: 4 Jun 2014 (after sending in additional paper form)
Date of receipt of interview letter: 11 Jun 2014
Date of return of documents: 12 Jun 2014
Date of Passport Appointment: 13 Jun 2014
Date of Passport Receipt: 16 Jun 2014

Other Updates:
Date: 29 May 2014
Description: Received letter (dated 26 May 2014) saying that I had missed some sections of the form (which I don't think so as the online system says that you can't proceed to the next section without completing the current section). They sent a paper form and asked that I fill it in and send it back. Posted 30 May 2014
As mentioned by Skimatic, it was the parents section that turned out to be missing.

Date: 10 Jun 2014
Description: Rang Peterborough in relation to another question and during the process of the call found out that my interview letter was due to be posted today, however, the guy also gave me the reference number and phone number to call to make the appointment instead of having to wait for the letter to then do it.

Congratulations!
Could please let me know the interview questions for Registered citizen,did you submit your entry passport with the application and the documents submitted during the Registration for british by descent.

[junk2014]

Application Timeline

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New - First time (Registered Citizen)
Method of application: Online (BETA)
Date of application: 24 Apr 2014 online, 29 May 2014 posted additional form
Date application received by HMPO: 1 May 2014 (Signed For)
HMPO Office: Peterborough
Date SMS Received: 4 Jun 2014 (after sending in additional paper form)
Date of receipt of interview letter: 11 Jun 2014
Date of return of documents: 12 Jun 2014
Date of Passport Appointment: 13 Jun 2014
Date of Passport Receipt: 16 Jun 2014

Other Updates:
Date: 29 May 2014
Description: Received letter (dated 26 May 2014) saying that I had missed some sections of the form (which I don't think so as the online system says that you can't proceed to the next section without completing the current section). They sent a paper form and asked that I fill it in and send it back. Posted 30 May 2014
As mentioned by Skimatic, it was the parents section that turned out to be missing.

Date: 10 Jun 2014
Description: Rang Peterborough in relation to another question and during the process of the call found out that my interview letter was due to be posted today, however, the guy also gave me the reference number and phone number to call to make the appointment instead of having to wait for the letter to then do it.

[thirddoor]

Thanks

[majamcr]

I posted the application for First Adult on 20th May, just received letter (16/06) stating I had not completed whole form. I checked online form and no questions regarding parents but manual form does. I think given the media reports they will try to find faults in applications to be able to state "straight forward" application were delivered on time.

Has anybody else had this problem re Parents information not asked for on Online Application?

Lots of people have reported this problem already, see:
http://www.immigrationboards.com/britis ... 61038.html

[thirddoor]

I posted the application for First Adult on 20th May, just received letter (16/06) stating I had not completed whole form. I checked online form and no questions regarding parents but manual form does. I think given the media reports they will try to find faults in applications to be able to state "straight forward" application were delivered on time.

Has anybody else had this problem re Parents information not asked for on Online Application?

[seyi]

[quote="seyi"][quote="seyi"]Application Timeline

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: First Passport
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 22/04/2014
Date application received by IPS: 25/04/2014
Date of return of documents: 16/06/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter:13/06/2014 (Dated 11/06/2014)
Date of Passport Appointment: 13/06/2014
Date of Passport Receipt: 16/06/2014

I will feel free to settle and travel away.
Many thanks for people who shared experiences and information. It was great help!

[lapkapups]

postby mcclane25 » Sun Jun 15, 2014 5:17 pm
What documents dual nationals need to send when applying first british passport through Post office check&send? Are we sending other nationality passport with application? or Post office copies them and gives back? Thanks in advance



Post Office check and send service only checks that the form is correctly filled in and you have provided all documents needed. They do not copy or verify documents; all original documents need to go with the form. We found this out the hard way, thinking we could keep our passports - not possible. If you, like us, have travel plans in the next two months or so, maybe best to wait to apply until after you come back.

True. I went to the Post Office today to submit my application and the nice lady there advised me not to, saying there are huge delays and chances are my application won't be processed in time for me to travel (in 7 weeks). I'm not entirely happy to leave the application for after my trip but I don't want to risk either as I am going to my brother's wedding.

So annoying they need the original passport

[keerthi]

I applied for my daughters 1st passport through Fast track - 1 week Service on 10th, checked today through call center, was told still under examination....very worried, even Fast track applications are not dealt within in time?

[nina-23k]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send or Postal
Date of application: 9th May 2014
Date application received by IPS: 13th May 2014-SMS
Date of return of documents: Should be this week
Date of receipt of interview letter: Waiting
Date of Passport Appointment: Waiting
Date of Passport Receipt:Waiting

I have called the 0300 number several time last 2 weeks and they told me that there was a spelling mistake in my surname first and also because i asked for my passport and supporting documents to be return to my work address, last week Peterborough office which is dealing with my application sent me an additional form to fill and requesting a letter from my employer to confirm that i do work here. Aparently because this is a business address they accept no liability in case of loss of documents.

Today, the lady dealing with my application called me to let me know that she did received my letter and that she is sendind my supporting documents to my work address and i am hoping to get my interview letter too. I am due to travel on the 28th June.

[majamcr]

Thanks for your post asadulla. I sent my application (together with kids) on May 2nd, SMS received on May 8th, still no interview letter or kids' passports. Called there last week, was also told that it is under examination. I wish us good luck!

[asadulla]

Liverpool Office seems to have a big backlog at the moment. Anyone here sent their application to Liverpool? Could you please share a contact telephone number of the Liverpool Office if you have one -- thanks in advance!

My application is with Liverpool office.

I sent my applciation(along with my wife and kids) on 13th May, received SMS on 19th May.
After that no more updated from HM possport office. Called couple of times, only update i get is application is under examination.

[cofe]

Update
Passport for: 2 Adults
Application Type: New (Naturalized)
Method of application: Check and Send Service
Date of application: 13/05/2014
Date application received by IPS: Awaiting
Date of SMS Received: 16/05/2014
Date of return of documents: Awaiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: 14/06/2014
Date of Passport Appointment: 20/06/2014 (At Luton)
Date of Passport Receipt: Awaiting

[BCMN1]

Update:

Date of sms, passport is being printed: 15-06-14

Moderators:
I am unable to edit my original posts, would you please look into this.

Many thanks

Further Update:

My passport delivered to my home address

Unbelievable exactly 2 weeks turn around from the date of application received, thanks to the helping lady at Peterborough Passport Office.

[AussieManc]

postby mcclane25 » Sun Jun 15, 2014 5:17 pm
What documents dual nationals need to send when applying first british passport through Post office check&send? Are we sending other nationality passport with application? or Post office copies them and gives back? Thanks in advance



Post Office check and send service only checks that the form is correctly filled in and you have provided all documents needed. They do not copy or verify documents; all original documents need to go with the form. We found this out the hard way, thinking we could keep our passports - not possible. If you, like us, have travel plans in the next two months or so, maybe best to wait to apply until after you come back.

[mcclane25]

What documents dual nationals need to send when applying first british passport through Post office check&send? Are we sending other nationality passport with application? or Post office copies them and gives back? Thanks in advance

[babyface123]

Congratulations babyface123! Can you please tell us which Passport Office is dealing with your application? Thanks!

After about 3 emails and 2 calls,i got an email on the 7/06/14 that Durham office has my application and it was going through the examination process. I called again on Wednesday and a nice lady told me, there is some delays in the application process.