Anybody renewed a UK passport whilst abroad ?
Discussion
I have been travelling for a while and will do so until Christmas at the earliest. My current passport expires mid april 2015 but as you have to have at least 6 months left on your passport before you enter a country i have to either -
1) enter a new country mid october and hopefully get a 60 day visa, return to UK at Xmas and get a new passport.
2) try to renew my passport abroad whilst currently in Asia.
Problem with option 2 is that it says that it can take 'at least' 6 weeks to get a new passport so can't go to some places who only issue a 30 day entry visa. Problem with some countries is that whilst i might be able to get a 60 day visa some horror stories i've recently discovered say it can take anywhere between 8-11 weeks to get it back !! Sounds like the passport issuing office in Durham is in turmoil. This would obviously leave me in a country without a passport and unable to leave.
So has anybody recently got a new UK passport whilst abroad ? What happened ? How long did it take ? Any other advice ?
1) enter a new country mid october and hopefully get a 60 day visa, return to UK at Xmas and get a new passport.
2) try to renew my passport abroad whilst currently in Asia.
Problem with option 2 is that it says that it can take 'at least' 6 weeks to get a new passport so can't go to some places who only issue a 30 day entry visa. Problem with some countries is that whilst i might be able to get a 60 day visa some horror stories i've recently discovered say it can take anywhere between 8-11 weeks to get it back !! Sounds like the passport issuing office in Durham is in turmoil. This would obviously leave me in a country without a passport and unable to leave.
So has anybody recently got a new UK passport whilst abroad ? What happened ? How long did it take ? Any other advice ?
We had to renew my wife's passport at the British Embassy in Singapore and I'm sure it was done the same day. They did quote us a couple of days initially, but then felt sorry for my wife so fast-tracked it.
My memory of it is a bit hazy, however I think it was a wee bit more expensive than renewing in the UK (although not as expensive as flying back to the UK obviously)
My memory of it is a bit hazy, however I think it was a wee bit more expensive than renewing in the UK (although not as expensive as flying back to the UK obviously)
Bull, you can enter a country with a day left on your passport assuming they let you in, I'd be looking at British Consulates and Embassies for new passports or looking to justify a second passport and your visa concerns may just be enough justification for you to be allowed a second passport.
Engineer1 said:
Bull, you can enter a country with a day left on your passport assuming they let you in, I'd be looking at British Consulates and Embassies for new passports or looking to justify a second passport and your visa concerns may just be enough justification for you to be allowed a second passport.
You haven't travelled much have you?SlackBladder said:
Engineer1 said:
Bull, you can enter a country with a day left on your passport assuming they let you in, I'd be looking at British Consulates and Embassies for new passports or looking to justify a second passport and your visa concerns may just be enough justification for you to be allowed a second passport.
You haven't travelled much have you?elster said:
My mum has just gone through this. She got her Passport on Thursday.
She applied at the beginning of March. They used an excuse mid way through to delay it.
It is however cheaper than when applying at home.
Ok, so only 12 weeks then ?! I'm f*cked !!She applied at the beginning of March. They used an excuse mid way through to delay it.
It is however cheaper than when applying at home.
Where was she when she applied ?
toohuge said:
OP have you tried contacting the closet embassy to you? That would be a good place to start, good as PH is, they'll be able to sort you out.
Even if it means an emergency travel document so you don't get stuck in a foreign country with an expired passport.
Chris
Hi, yes i have sent an email to the embassy in Bangkok but no reply yet.Even if it means an emergency travel document so you don't get stuck in a foreign country with an expired passport.
Chris
SimonV8ster said:
Hi, yes i have sent an email to the embassy in Bangkok but no reply yet.
Try calling if possible. +66 2 305 8333The problem with email is there enormous service time (usually 20-28 days or something ridiculous) but you may find it difficult to get through on the telephone too as they are 'busy'.
Also try the Consulate in Chaing Mai: http://www.british-consulate.net/Chiangmai.html
The consulates are usually a little more proactive than the embassy themselves.
Chris
I recently sent my passport back to the UK for renewal from Malaysia, took four weeks from sending. Obviously couldn't leave the country in that time which was a bit annoying. Did look into getting an emergency travel document but they seemed reluctant to issue one and it would have meant attending an embassy interview in KL, I'm in Johor, so didn't bother. Not sure how the current passport fiasco in the UK would affect current applications though?
If you have good reason you do not need to send it they will take a copy, I did that from Malaysia to HK, I travel every week and hade work permits for two countries had a letter from my employer, nice lady at the embassy told me about it being possible but not advertised, I just sent the application copy of passport fee and cover letter, and got a second passport without surrendering my old one.
DavesFlaps said:
We had to renew my wife's passport at the British Embassy in Singapore and I'm sure it was done the same day. They did quote us a couple of days initially, but then felt sorry for my wife so fast-tracked it.
My memory of it is a bit hazy, however I think it was a wee bit more expensive than renewing in the UK (although not as expensive as flying back to the UK obviously)
Not any more ..... My memory of it is a bit hazy, however I think it was a wee bit more expensive than renewing in the UK (although not as expensive as flying back to the UK obviously)
All UK passports being renewed in Asia are sent to Hong Kong, and it takes between 4 and 6 weeks, it also costs nearly GBP300 once you include DHL courier charges.
I do know some people that have just fitted in a few days back to London to do a next day renewal.
Alternatively apply for a duplicate passport as you need one for visa applications to India / China whilst travelling to other countries on business.
Or as Berw says, go to the nearest consulate and explain the situation.
Edited by XJSJohn on Wednesday 11th June 07:47
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