Cost effective passport renewal while travelling every few weeks

QQQ

My passport is going to expire in half a year, so time to get a new one. The issue is I may have to travel every few weeks, so cannot wait for 12 weeks. Is there a cost-effective (sic!) way to apply for a new passport, maybe having the old one still active until civil servants eventually finish their strikes and print out a new one?

elsien

There is an overlap passport option but there are strict criteria. “May” need to frequently travel might not cut it.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/additional-passports/additional-passports-accessible#:~:text=HM%20Passport%20Office%20does%20not,provide%20evidence%20to%20show%20it

eskbanker

If the reason for regular foreign travel is work-related, you could ask your employer to fund the premium for the expedited fast track service?

TELLIT01

Now that the strike is in action (oxymoron?) I doubt many more people will get passports turned around in a couple of weeks.  The Passport Office normally requires the old passport before they will process the new one.  Although paying for a premium service may speed the process, I wouldn't bank on it conforming with any claims made for turnaround times.

QQQ

eskbanker said:

If the reason for regular foreign travel is work-related, you could ask your employer to fund the premium for the expedited fast track service?

Not work related, so no

QQQ

OK, if the Passport Office is so keen to ground me for the time until they get round to print my new passport, could this be done overseas via an embassy? Will it be more expensive?

cymruchris

If you NEED a fast passport - then you'll have to pay a bit more for the urgent renewal option, where you can pick up your passport the same day from your local passport office, but you'll need to logon to your pc early in the day to look for slots:

https://www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently

If you can wait - then you can try the 1 week premium service. The strikes themselves are due to finish on the 5th of May - so that might open up more slots.

You won't get 'cheap/cost-effective' and 'quick' at the same time.

If you're travelling for work with a decent sized company, I would speak with your HR dept and ask what they'd like you to do in the circumstances. They may offer to pay for the premium service.

eskbanker

QQQ said:

OK, if the Passport Office is so keen to ground me for the time until they get round to print my new passport, could this be done overseas via an embassy? Will it be more expensive?

Embassies can issue emergency travel documents to get you home, but not full passports.

eskbanker

cymruchris said:

If you're travelling for work with a decent sized company, I would speak with your HR dept and ask what they'd like you to do in the circumstances. They may offer to pay for the premium service.

See the post two above yours!

Tucosalamanca

cymruchris said:

If you NEED a fast passport - then you'll have to pay a bit more for the urgent renewal option, where you can pick up your passport the same day from your local passport office, but you'll need to logon to your pc early in the day to look for slots:

https://www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently

If you can wait - then you can try the 1 week premium service. The strikes themselves are due to finish on the 5th of May - so that might open up more slots.

You won't get 'cheap/cost-effective' and 'quick' at the same time.

If you're travelling for work with a decent sized company, I would speak with your HR dept and ask what they'd like you to do in the circumstances. They may offer to pay for the premium service.

This is the simplest option. I was in and out of the passport office within 30min

cymruchris

eskbanker said:

cymruchris said:

If you're travelling for work with a decent sized company, I would speak with your HR dept and ask what they'd like you to do in the circumstances. They may offer to pay for the premium service.

See the post two above yours!

I started typing my post then went off to stir the pasta, empty the dryer and put the clothes away Then came back and finished it after that was posted. The pasta was nice.

I should also add I've used the same day service in the past - and the whole process took a couple of hours. It definitely is useful for those in a rush.