cheekysailor

On 6/25/2020 at 6:27 AM, pontious said:

Did you use the Vfs helpline email to get the tracking number.?

 I emailed VFS and eventually they sent it to me.

Received an email from VFS yesterday stating that my passport was now ready for pick up.  A little over three weeks from start to finish.  Panic over!

Stupid question time.  Do you receive a different DHL tracking number for the return leg of your passports journey?  If so will that be sent to you via email?

8 hours ago, Saltire said:

Yes I did, they hand-wrote it at the bottom of the A4 document receipt checklist they give you when you leave.

I was not given a number, but after a couple of emails I have finally been able to locate one.  Documents received and signed for in Liverpool just awaiting my passport return journey.

On 6/19/2020 at 10:33 AM, Saltire said:

I went this week (16th), DHL shows papers arrived Liverpool yesterday.

 

No payment taken yet as of today.

Were you given an ID number for DHL tracking?  I was not given such information at the office.

Yes, I applied for a passport the first day that VFS opened on the the Thursday. Funds were subsequently taken from my Thai bank account the following Thursday.  Hopefully, my passport in the process.

7 minutes ago, blackcab said:

 

Keep an eye on the statement from your payment card provider. That's the next indication your application is progressing.

This was my thought.  How long does it usually take before they take funds out of your account? The lady at VFS also said that if they have any difficulties they would contact me via email.

5 hours ago, blackcab said:

 

Yes, you get a tracking number from VFS to HMPO as well. During your submission the VFS staff complete a Document Receipt Checklist by hand. This lists all of the documents you have submitted. You sign this document, as does the VFS staff member. You are given one copy of the checklist to retain. The DHL tracking number is written on the bottom of this checklist.

 

When you collect your passport from VFS you need to take two things: The Document Receipt Checklist you were given when you submitted your application and your original passport (if your application is a renewal).

I handed all my documents to VFS this Thursday. Although I was given the checklist it does not contain a checking number.

Finally, I have received an appointment date for the renewal of my passport. I guess it is just perseverance.  

4 hours ago, pontious said:

Just sent an email to make an appointment next week and only received an auto generated reply.?

Same here.  Even though it is a few hours drive to BKK I will make the trip this coming Tuesday. That's unless my appointment booking gets answered either today (unlikely) or Monday morning. (probable)

Do booking still require you to email suggesting the three dates and times or can we just rock up at Trendy building?

Zero help, but VFS Malaysia has just opened today.  Looks like things are starting to move in the right direction.  It's pleasing to see the BE are keeping us abreast of the situation.   

Great post.  You may also want to address it to.  abigail.tierney@homeoffice.gov.uk as well not just Abi.  I will also be sending an email shortly with words to similar effect. 

10 hours ago, ImageDude said:

PM Sent.

Thanks

Any name specific emails that you have within the HMPO please PM them to me.  I would also like add me 'two-peneth' into the mix. 

Get on the   phone Monday and tell the boss of HMPO

I wish I could find the boss of HMPO. I just get pushed round from 'advisor' to 'advisor' who then 'advise' the wrong advice.

By the way it's a bank holiday in the UK this Monday, so you can expect diddly squat.

It has become glaringly obvious that both the consular and HMPO do not know how passport renewals in Thailand are operated.  One HMPO 'advisor' asked me to apply for an overseas passport and then same advisor was not aware of VPS.  If anybody has any specific email addresses for HMPO,  (I have used the generic ones to no avail) it would be greatly appreciated.

On 5/23/2020 at 3:37 PM, pontious said:

The BE cannot tell those people to fly back to the UK to sort it out. They do NOT have a valid passport for travel.

You know I am in the same boat, so please don't think I'm having a go.  However, I would like to bet in this scenario they will say that you will have to apply for ETD and then go back to the UK to sort it out.

Further news.
 

Dear  xx,

Furthermore, did you know that VFS office would close.  After all, we have been hit with several epidemics in the past from Ebola to Bird Flu, all of which have sent elements of panic through the world in their own way. As I was advised by the HMPO do not worry about the situation too much, we can see services will resume prior to your passport expiring.  I am slightly paraphrasing by the last quote, as I honestly can not remember the exact wording, however with their quip remark and tone it sounded like it was more 'a flash in the pan' rather than an epidemic.

2 hours ago, pontious said:

An outrageous reply. For those that will be affected by the above why not wave the 'travel requirement' or allow a fictitious  travel plan be accepted for an ETD - they are valid for 1 year I believe.  In these abnormal times the fact that is not ''normal  procedure'' should not be a consideration.!! If they had started this 8 weeks ago there would be a solution by now. They obviously did nothing until the phone calls/ emails from UK citizens overwhelmed them. Too little - too late. Substitute the first 'Too' for 'nothing'.

Unfortunately, the ETD cannot be used as a form of ID and therefore cannot be used to validate the 90 day reporting, VISAs or WPs.

I have spoke with the Chonburi  immigration office. who were very helpful and sympathetic to my needs. I fully understand that this is not a immigration issue but on the off chance, I was asking to see if they had heard anything about this situation from the powers that be.  In addition where do I stand in relation to an expired passport in these troublesome times. Their response was almost pleading, stating that need to contact authorities in the UK in order to solve this matter.  Many people had been into Chonburi already with the same problem and it was only going to get far worse.  
As for the rules. An expired passport to them is still an expired passport and the holder must face the consequences accordingly. It is out of there hands until they hear indifferently. 
  This post is more to see has anyone had any or similar response from their Thai Immigration Office.

The Ambassador must surely have been aware that this was the case when he delivered his message on 15th May.  Exactly!

'We cannot be held responsible' Is a shambolic response from the embassy.  The British Embassy 'should'  be liaising with Thai authorities in order to successfully extend the duration of passports until a suitable time and thus updating us on possible solutions. 

      The Aussie and Americans have already established two alternate methods of obtaining passports safeguarding it's citizens.  Why are the British so far behind?