MSE News: Holidaymakers warned of 10-week passport delay - here's how to apply or renew now

MSE_Helen_K

Hopeful holidaymakers have been urged to apply for new passports or to renew existing ones as soon as possible to avoid delays of up to ten weeks. Usually passports take between four and six weeks to be processed...

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'Holidaymakers warned of 10-week passport delay - here's how to apply or renew now'

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HillyHodgy55

My hubby renewed his passport via the Post Office Digital Check and Send service on Wednesday (7/4/21). His new passport arrived today. Did he just get in ahead of the rush???

sandsy

I also applied on Wednesday 7 April, but online, sent off my old passport the next day and got my new passport back today, Thursday 15 April.

MSE_Helen_K

Thanks for the feedback - looks like you both got in ahead of the expected rush. 

powerful_Rogue

Who would have thought everyone applying at the same time would cause a delay!

TBagpuss

It looks as though the massive rush hasn't quite kicked in yet -  https://www.passportwaitingtime.co.uk/ suggests an average of 2 weeks for a renewal.

In fairness, it's only an anticipated rush, not yet an actual one. I suspect that not everyone who would have renewed in a normal year will automatically do so as soon as the travel ban is lifted - the 10 week timescale seems to be a worst case scenario if everyone whose passport expired n the last year applies.

JGB1955

My husband applied for his replacement passport last Monday and received it in the post on Friday morning.

Langtang

We're probably not giving the passport office the credit they deserve. I'm sure they'll be pulling out all the stops to get your passport to you.
I'd be more worried that the French company making the passports would have an embargo placed on them being made, in retaliation for us getting our vaccines before them.....

smudge56

Most of the straightforward applications go through the digital route which is why most renewals are done quickly.  The applications that can’t be done that way have to be done in the office where there is limited  capacity for the workforce due to social distancing.  Although they are mainly being processed within the two weeks at the moment, HMPO are just managing expectations in case of a large influx of applications 

J_B

On line application done on Tuesday afternoon - 27/4

Old passport posted (first class signed for) Wed am 28/4

Received Thurs 29/4

Three day May bank holiday in between

New passport arrived today Thurs 6/5

Six working days turn round - great service!

melb

anyone applied for a replacement for a lost passport?