Passport farce

caveat_emptor

13 weeks ago applied online for a new passport to replace a lapsed one, at that time the wait time was 6 weeks. First tried self photo but all were rejected and then got a professional photo and this was also rejected. Submitted the photo anyway with a note that it was a pro job. After 10 weeks sent an email update request that I was told would be replied to in two days, I'm still waiting. Phoned several times for an update but after a while the calls were cut off. Then, also after 10weeks, was emailed that my application had been sent to Belfast from Bootle. Today my passport arrived but I despair that it has taken so long, why is that? Can someone in the know please tell me.
The final joke, if there is one, is that the photo reproduction on the passport is so poor I think it might be someone else. Be interested to see what happens when I go through passport control. 

grandadgolfer

Up to 16 weeks for new one so 13 weeks isn't that bad considering photos were rejected

caveat_emptor

grandadgolfer said:

Up to 16 weeks for new one so 13 weeks isn't that bad considering photos were rejected

Well spotted Wilson. The online photo was originally rejected but was accepted after my note that it was a pro photo which if you've made an online application is an option. So the the photo was not a factor in the 13 weeks taken. 

p00hsticks

caveat_emptor said:

got a professional photo and this was also rejected. Submitted the photo anyway with a note that it was a pro job.

caveat_emptor said:

The final joke, if there is one, is that the photo reproduction on the passport is so poor I think it might be someone else.

Is there a possiblity that the latter might be down to the former ?

daveyjp

I don't understand why a professional photograph was rejected.

Did the photographer use the online passport office photo checker before giving you the photo and taking payment?

caveat_emptor

daveyjp said:

I don't understand why a professional photograph was rejected.

Did the photographer use the online passport office photo checker before giving you the photo and taking payment?

My experience is that all online photos, whether it's home or pro are rejected automatically. There is an option to challenge the rejection which I used and the photo was accepted as I heard no more about it.
My photographer did not use the online photo checker as he said most of his photos are rejected and advised me to challenge.

daveyjp

Not in mine.  Photo taken, uploaded in store to the photo checker and approval given.

powerful_Rogue

caveat_emptor said:

13 weeks ago applied online for a new passport to replace a lapsed one, at that time the wait time was 6 weeks. First tried self photo but all were rejected and then got a professional photo and this was also rejected. Submitted the photo anyway with a note that it was a pro job. After 10 weeks sent an email update request that I was told would be replied to in two days, I'm still waiting. Phoned several times for an update but after a while the calls were cut off. Then, also after 10weeks, was emailed that my application had been sent to Belfast from Bootle. Today my passport arrived but I despair that it has taken so long, why is that? Can someone in the know please tell me.
The final joke, if there is one, is that the photo reproduction on the passport is so poor I think it might be someone else. Be interested to see what happens when I go through passport control. 

The high res version of the photo is on the chip.

caveat_emptor

p00hsticks said:

caveat_emptor said:

got a professional photo and this was also rejected. Submitted the photo anyway with a note that it was a pro job.

caveat_emptor said:

The final joke, if there is one, is that the photo reproduction on the passport is so poor I think it might be someone else.

Is there a possiblity that the latter might be down to the former ?

No. The photo submitted was ok but the reproduction on the passport was not.

caveat_emptor

daveyjp said:

Not in mine.  Photo taken, uploaded in store to the photo checker and approval given.

Well I'm giving my experience not anyone elses.

MalMonroe

caveat_emptor said:

daveyjp said:

I don't understand why a professional photograph was rejected.

Did the photographer use the online passport office photo checker before giving you the photo and taking payment?

My experience is that all online photos, whether it's home or pro are rejected automatically. There is an option to challenge the rejection which I used and the photo was accepted as I heard no more about it.
My photographer did not use the online photo checker as he said most of his photos are rejected and advised me to challenge.

Not all photos are rejected. My daughter asked me to take hers when she recently renewed her passport online. Simply for ID purposes as she isn't travelling yet because of covid, still. I took hers with her own phone and I am no photographer. We took a few and plumped for the one we both thought was okay. I felt sure it would be rejected but her passport came back, renewed, no questions asked, within 8 weeks. Of course that was at the end of last year but still, we were both pleased. 

The photo looks worse now it's in her passport, I must say but that's usually the case with passport photos. In my experience, anyway. It's my turn next and I'm dreading the photo taking session. At home, of course.