Warning - Passport Backlog

[JulieSharp]

It was mentioned on the tv this morning that upto 500,000 people are affected by the backlog due to a surge in applications in January. Passport Offices have closed and 315 staff have lost their jobs.

Applicants may not receive their passports in time for their holidays.

 

[Shazzie B]

DH sent his last week, we have 3 months before we go, so hopefully that'll be enough time. Would it be very bad if I went without him

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

I sent mine off for renewal last Monday, and i got a text from them this morning saying it would be with me in a few days

 

[hopex]

Both my boyfriend and my brother sent their applications off last month and received their passports about 3 weeks later. It would be terrible if anyone didn't get their passport in time for their holiday!

 

[LiquidSunshine]

I sent my renewal off over the Mayday bank holiday, and the whole thing was done and back in 2 weeks.

 

[Dimplenose]

I wonder if the news article will cause more people to panic and send off their passports when they normally would have sent them in a few months time thus causing a worse delay.

 

[2Tiggies]

I was blissfully unaware of all this Sent DD's passport off late Feb/early March and had it back in less than a week. I see a reference in the first post to January. Good thing I didn't know that then or I probably would have worried. I had enough trouble trying to get an acceptable photo sorted

 

[wayneg]

I wonder if the news article will cause more people to panic and send off their passports when they normally would have sent them in a few months time thus causing a worse delay.

From what I have read today this just seems to be a media story over nothing. I suspect, as you say, the story will now create a panic and possible longer waits than usual.

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

Thanks, now I AM panicking, sent mine and DDs away three weeks ago. Every time I check on the website (we did the form online), it just says it has been received and is being processes. We go on 26th July, it had better be back!

 

[Elise79]

Thanks, now I AM panicking, sent mine and DDs away three weeks ago. Every time I check on the website (we did the form online), it just says it has been received and is being processes. We go on 26th July, it had better be back!

You should be fine - average processing time is still 3 weeks - you should get it any day now

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Further to my previous post, I got my new passport yesterday afternoon by courier. It took a total of 6 working days from posting to receiving, and I didn't pay extra for any fast tracking! Media/ union hype I suspect!

 

[wayneg]

New article on BBC about this, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27789916
Suggests no backlog.
Looks like Unions/management playing games.

 

[wilma-bride]

New article on BBC about this, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27789916
Suggests no backlog.
Looks like Unions/management playing games.

I had to laugh at the story I saw on AOL news last night - headline read "British Baby Stranded in Qatar Amid Passport Chaos"

Turned out it was nothing quite as sinister as the headline suggested and merely a pair of disgruntled Brits who live in Qatar, who applied for their baby's passport 3 weeks ago and are moaning that they can't take him home to Wales to visit family because his passport hasn't come through yet. Pathetic!

 

[wayneg]

I had to laugh at the story I saw on AOL news last night - headline read "British Baby Stranded in Qatar Amid Passport Chaos"

Turned out it was nothing quite as sinister as the headline suggested and merely a pair of disgruntled Brits who live in Qatar, who applied for their baby's passport 3 weeks ago and are moaning that they can't take him home to Wales to visit family because his passport hasn't come through yet. Pathetic!

Just been one on Sky News I didn't understand, from Africa, complaining she hadn't got new one thru for her Son but she wouldn't surrender the old one til she got new. Will they issue a new one? All too complex but I am sure some are complaining for nothing(or just to get on TV)

 

[2Tiggies]

Do they not still warn you that you need to leave a minimum of 6 weeks prior to travel to apply, to allow for backlog?

 

[wayneg]

Do they not still warn you that you need to leave a minimum of 6 weeks prior to travel to apply, to allow for backlog?

Not sure what they advise. I did mine as soon as I could after getting back from our last trip but getting the maximum unexpired time transferred to my new one. Got the new one with 10 years 9 months validity. even with a problem (I used my Birthdate on cheque instead of current date) I got it back within 2 weeks.

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

S'ok peeps, got a text this morning saying it was being printed. Not sure if that I'd both our passports or just one, but it's a start!

 

[Tony Bush]

Whats the situation with the old ruling that your passport has to be valid for a minimum 6 months frmo the date you fly back from the US ? I had read that this was an airline thing and not US law. Has anyone had any experience with this ? DW's passport expires 9th April 15 and we are on holidy 4 - 18th October 14 ?

Tony

 

[Tony Bush]

Ignore that !!!! - just seen the other thread

 

[irenep]

Do they not still warn you that you need to leave a minimum of 6 weeks prior to travel to apply, to allow for backlog?

There is no official time quoted- what they say is not to book ANY travel until you actually have your new passport but their website says it 'should' take 3 weeks.

I just did my renewal (on-line) and my passport was back from the Liverpool office in less than that