Trendy house passport renewal

[expatocean]

Is it possible to walk in and not have an appointment to renew my passport at trendy house? Also I've been trying to find out if it closed tomorrow.

 

Thankyou in advance.

[foreverlomsak]

When I went February 2018, you couldn't get a queue number without an appointment, under Covid I would expect it be harder rather than easier.

According to my calendar the 26th is holiday, I wouldn't expect them to be open, but haven't checked with the kids yet, you never know.

TIT

[ubonjoe]

You have to send them an email to make an appointment to do the passport application.

Email address and other info is here after going through the steps here. https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports  

[edwardandtubs]

Don't do it! Current wait time is 6-7 weeks. Apply online direct to HMPO and get a friend or family member to send it to you in Thailand.

[Moonlover]

21 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

Don't do it! Current wait time is 6-7 weeks. Apply online direct to HMPO and get a friend or family member to send it to you in Thailand.

Apart from the fact that this is not the correct way to do it, the long delay in receiving a new passport is at HMPO itself.

 

Covid restrictions are hampering their work and slowing down the service. So by following your suggestion, the application will simply join the same slow queue!

[richard_smith237]

22 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

Don't do it! Current wait time is 6-7 weeks. Apply online direct to HMPO and get a friend or family member to send it to you in Thailand.

 

Don’t be silly...  Op use the official channels, easy and simple enough. 

 

I received my new passport in November 2020, recent experience. 

 

E-mail to get an appointment (as ubonjoe wrote) - In Nov the apparent was two weeks after e-mailing for an appointment. 

 

You ‘can’ turn up earlier, but you have to wait outside until there is a free spot. 

In Nov when I applied I was able to walk straight in with my appointment - there was a guy standing by waiting outside, he’d been waiting over an hour and was still waiting when I left after submitting my documents. 

 

There is also some sort of ‘business class’ type fast track service you can pay extra for at VFS which means you don’t need to wait for a few weeks for an appointment etc - I’m not sure if this means you get your passport any more quickly though (I don’t think so)

 

After submission I received an e-mail from HMPO informing me that wait time could be up to 8 weeks.

I received the new passport within 4 weeks of submission. 

 

[edwardandtubs]

22 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

Apart from the fact that this is not the correct way to do it, the long delay in receiving a new passport is at HMPO itself.

 

Covid restrictions are hampering their work and slowing down the service. So by following your suggestion, the application will simply join the same slow queue!

Not so. You can pay a small amount extra for the fast track service and get it done in a couple of weeks if you apply online. This is not available at VFS.

 

[expatocean]

Thankyou all for your prompt replys 

[edwardandtubs]

24 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Don’t be silly...  Op use the official channels, easy and simple enough. 

 

I received my new passport in November 2020, recent experience. 

 

E-mail to get an appointment (as ubonjoe wrote) - In Nov the apparent was two weeks after e-mailing for an appointment. 

 

You ‘can’ turn up earlier, but you have to wait outside until there is a free spot. 

In Nov when I applied I was able to walk straight in with my appointment - there was a guy standing by waiting outside, he’d been waiting over an hour and was still waiting when I left after submitting my documents. 

 

There is also some sort of ‘business class’ type fast track service you can pay extra for at VFS which means you don’t need to wait for a few weeks for an appointment etc - I’m not sure if this means you get your passport any more quickly though (I don’t think so)

 

After submission I received an e-mail from HMPO informing me that wait time could be up to 8 weeks.

I received the new passport within 4 weeks of submission. 

 

My experience is more up-to-date. I applied in mid January and will only be able to pick it up next Monday. Others have reported 7 weeks recently. There's no way of fast tracking your application with VFS.

 

[dabhand]

48 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

Apart from the fact that this is not the correct way to do it, the long delay in receiving a new passport is at HMPO itself.

 

Covid restrictions are hampering their work and slowing down the service. So by following your suggestion, the application will simply join the same slow queue!

 

Not so.

 

Very recent reports (at least 2) indicate only 8 working days for UK based applications and 6-7 weeks (at least 3 posters) for very recent applications via VFS Bangkok (mine being one of them).

 

In fact one of the 'UK based applicants' was actually located in Chonburi and used a UK family contact to submit and receive the renewal passport / paperwork that had been sent to UK. An 8 day turnaround (last month) was reported by that particular poster.

 

So seems clear that UK applicants are in a rather different queue than those using the joint services of VFS and HMPO. Is it any wonder that some are looking to 'bend the rules'. Easy solution is for HMPO to process all applicants, once they reach the UK, in a similar fashion. Not difficult really.

[Upnotover]

1 hour ago, edwardandtubs said:

Don't do it! Current wait time is 6-7 weeks. Apply online direct to HMPO and get a friend or family member to send it to you in Thailand.

Not forgetting you have to send them your existing passport leaving you without one in Thailand which is the very reason the renewal system is as it is.

[Moonlover]

8 minutes ago, dabhand said:

 

Not so.

 

Very recent reports (at least 2) indicate only 8 working days for UK based applications and 6-7 weeks (at least 3 posters) for very recent applications via VFS Bangkok (mine being one of them).

 

In fact one of the 'UK based applicants' was actually located in Chonburi and used a UK family contact to submit and receive the renewal passport / paperwork that had been sent to UK. An 8 day turnaround (last month) was reported by that particular poster.

 

So seems clear that UK applicants are in a rather different queue than those using the joint services of VFS and HMPO. Is it any wonder that some are looking to 'bend the rules'. Easy solution is for HMPO to process all applicants, once they reach the UK, in a similar fashion. Not difficult really.

I think I'll stick to this version rather than anecdotal evidence. Those persons might have been lucky and slipped through when lockdowns were no as strict. And I'd suggest the O/P does the same rather than be caught without his passport for a prolonged period.

 

Passport renewals delayed

[Nout]

I have to renew mine which expires June 22. I shall start the process in June 21. I shall use an agent. I will photo copy every single page of my passport before submitting it. I will take any advice regarding speeding up the process.

[ukrules]

I'll do mine during the summer when normal service has resumed, aiming for about June or July and will return 1 or 2 months later to collect it - I'm in no hurry as the passport doesn't expire until early 2022 but I do like to plan as far ahead as I can and this way even if it takes 2 or 3 months to get the new passport, it won't matter.

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

2 hours ago, edwardandtubs said:

My experience is more up-to-date. I applied in mid January and will only be able to pick it up next Monday. Others have reported 7 weeks recently. There's no way of fast tracking your application with VFS.

 

 

Fast track at the VFS avoids waiting for the appointment - (saves 2-3 weeks)... 

 

[richard_smith237]

17 minutes ago, ukrules said:

I'll do mine during the summer when normal service has resumed, aiming for about June or July and will return 1 or 2 months later to collect it - I'm in no hurry as the passport doesn't expire until early 2022 but I do like to plan as far ahead as I can and this way even if it takes 2 or 3 months to get the new passport, it won't matter.

 

IF you like planning far ahead - plan for no normal service to have resumed by summer... No one knows at this stage. 

 

That said; as you wrote, your passport doesn’t expire until 2022, so there is obviously no rush. 

For anyone else... its good practice to have your passport renewed before you reach your 6month remaining date. 

 

1 hour ago, Nout said:

I have to renew mine which expires June 22. I shall start the process in June 21. I shall use an agent. I will photo copy every single page of my passport before submitting it. I will take any advice regarding speeding up the process.

 

You forgot to post this  emoji to highlight you are just being silly.... 

 

[OJAS]

3 hours ago, Moonlover said:

I think I'll stick to this version rather than anecdotal evidence. Those persons might have been lucky and slipped through when lockdowns were no as strict. And I'd suggest the O/P does the same rather than be caught without his passport for a prolonged period.

 

Passport renewals delayed

 

It may be significant that the Powys County Times article which you linked was dated 22nd July 2020. But the second UK-based case referred to by @dabhand relates to a renewal application submitted last month by a pal of mine who actually lives in the UK. He received his new passport within 8 working days.

 

Looks to me like HMPO were last July driven to desperate scaremongering tactics in presumably an attempt to mask(!) their inherent bungling incompetence and ineptitude - which they seem to be taking out on those of us applying from Thailand if they're now telling us that we have to wait 8 weeks for our new passports!

[Nout]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

IF you like planning far ahead - plan for no normal service to have resumed by summer... No one knows at this stage. 

 

That said; as you wrote, your passport doesn’t expire until 2022, so there is obviously no rush. 

For anyone else... its good practice to have your passport renewed before you reach your 6month remaining date. 

 

 

You forgot to post this  emoji to highlight you are just being silly.... 

 

What is silly? I am running out of pages and want to do it well in advance. Photocopying every page is a tip I picked up living in the Middle East. Once I submit my PP I want a full copy showing full travel history. Copying every page prevents fraud in the eyes of the authorities. Neither your life experience or wisdom match mine.

[ukrules]

22 minutes ago, Nout said:

What is silly? I am running out of pages and want to do it well in advance. Photocopying every page is a tip I picked up living in the Middle East. Once I submit my PP I want a full copy showing full travel history. Copying every page prevents fraud in the eyes of the authorities. Neither your life experience or wisdom match mine.

 

Making a copy is useful in case you lose the passport I guess but you don't need to surrender the passport when you renew it in Thailand

 

You're not required to go without your passport whilst in Thailand even during the renewal process.

 

Last time I did it which was back in 2011 I had to make copies and mail them off with the application to Hong Kong if I remember correctly, now they do it in an office at the Trendy building, regardless - you keep your passport with you at all times, it's not sent off for renewal.

[richard_smith237]

53 minutes ago, Nout said:

What is silly? I am running out of pages and want to do it well in advance. Photocopying every page is a tip I picked up living in the Middle East. Once I submit my PP I want a full copy showing full travel history. Copying every page prevents fraud in the eyes of the authorities.

 

You wrote that your passport runs out on June 22 and you will apply on June 21... (as in 2021)

You didn’t mention you had run out of pages. 

I figured you were kidding and being a bit silly with an implication that the HMPO are that slow... 

 

Two passports prevent the one getting full too quickly (use one passport for Thailand stamps etc and the other for entry into ‘other countries' - a little life experience and wisdom for you !)

 

 

53 minutes ago, Nout said:

Neither your life experience or wisdom match mine.

 

Love the arrogance of this comment... as if the Middle East is the pinnacle of Life Experience !!!... but just incase, guess who currently holds residency in two Middle East countries...

 

Now...  when making such a statement do back it up with something.

Then you can move on to the motoring forum and tell someone you are better driver than them !!

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

Two of you confused...  I may not have been clear. 

 

When e-mailing VFS for an appointment you will usually get a response offering an appointment in 2-3 weeks. 

However, if you take the Fast Track option ‘Premium Services’ you can walk in without an appointment (1560 baht extra).

It saves 2-3 week of waiting for an appointment.

 

https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/th/en/hmpo

 

 

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, ukrules said:

you keep your passport with you at all times, it's not sent off for renewal.

 

Correctamundo....    additionally, the VFS send the scanned copies off with the application... some real life experience and wisdom for Nout !! 

[edwardandtubs]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Two of you confused...  I may not have been clear. 

 

When e-mailing VFS for an appointment you will usually get a response offering an appointment in 2-3 weeks. 

However, if you take the Fast Track option ‘Premium Services’ you can walk in without an appointment (1560 baht extra).

It saves 2-3 week of waiting for an appointment.

 

https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/th/en/hmpo

 

 

I had to wait 2-3 days for my appointment so I don't know where you heard about waiting 2-3 weeks. You just send them an email with your preferred dates. No need to pay for premium but even if you do you'll still be waiting 6-7 weeks for HMPO.

 

[richard_smith237]

18 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Two of you confused...  I may not have been clear. 

 

When e-mailing VFS for an appointment you will usually get a response offering an appointment in 2-3 weeks. 

However, if you take the Fast Track option ‘Premium Services’ you can walk in without an appointment (1560 baht extra).

It saves 2-3 week of waiting for an appointment.

 

https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/th/en/hmpo

 

 

Expand  

I had to wait 2-3 days for my appointment so I don't know where you heard about waiting 2-3 weeks. You just send them an email with your preferred dates. No need to pay for premium but even if you do you'll still be waiting 6-7 weeks for HMPO.

 

 

Just a different experience with regards to timing with both VFS and HMPO.

 

I had to wait 2 weeks for an appointment in late Oct. A friend had to wait about 3 weeks around the same time. 

In this case - if time was important Premium Service is an option (i.e. if someone needed to travel away somewhere).

 

After Submitting the passport at VFS, it was available for collection exactly 31 days later (30th Oct to 30th Nov).

 

 

 

[edwardandtubs]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Just a different experience with regards to timing with both VFS and HMPO.

 

I had to wait 2 weeks for an appointment in late Oct. A friend had to wait about 3 weeks around the same time. 

In this case - if time was important Premium Service is an option (i.e. if someone needed to travel away somewhere).

 

After Submitting the passport at VFS, it was available for collection exactly 31 days later (30th Oct to 30th Nov).

 

 

 

When you say you had to wait 2 weeks, what exactly happened? They ask you to request three dates. Did you try requesting three for the following week?

 

And the difference between my 6 weeks and your 31 days is due to the current lockdown which will continue for several months.

 

If the premium service could cut the processing time at HMPO I'm sure VFS would marketing it as such but they're not.

 

[pontious]

37 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

When you say you had to wait 2 weeks, what exactly happened? They ask you to request three dates. Did you try requesting three for the following week?

 

And the difference between my 6 weeks and your 31 days is due to the current lockdown which will continue for several months.

 

If the premium service could cut the processing time at HMPO I'm sure VFS would marketing it as such but they're not.

 

It is on there website you pay 1560 Baht -cannot remember exact amount now and you just walk in with no appointment. Easy beezy.

[richard_smith237]

38 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

When you say you had to wait 2 weeks, what exactly happened? They ask you to request three dates. Did you try requesting three for the following week?

 

And the difference between my 6 weeks and your 31 days is due to the current lockdown which will continue for several months.

 

If the premium service could cut the processing time at HMPO I'm sure VFS would marketing it as such but they're not.

 

 

I e-mailed on 15th Oct asking for an appointment and offered 3 dates (19th, 20th, 21st), the response was that the next available appointment was on 30th at 11:30am so I took that. 

 

Its a rather dumb system - a much better system would be were one can ‘select a booking slot’ online rather than e-mail. 

 

I suspect that back in Nov the lock down restrictions in the UK were less and such that more of the staff could work on passport renewals etc. Perhaps now the lock down tier is more strict and less HMPO staff are permitted in the work place.

 

IF I had to head overseas within a couple of weeks etc, I would have used the faster premium service to cut the queue at VFS.

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

7 minutes ago, pontious said:

It is on there website you pay 1560 Baht -cannot remember exact amount now and you just walk in with no appointment. Easy beezy.

 

As edwardantubs wrote earlier in the thread, he only had to wait 2-3 days for an appointment, so no real value at that period of time in the ‘premium service’ where someone can just walk in. 

 

At a busier period with longer wait times for an appointment the service may be useful. 

 

The premium service doesn’t make the HMPO side of things any faster. 

[rimmae2]

Applied in Nov 2020, appointment next day, passport available for collection 14 working days from appointment. Considering courier time to and from UK reasonable timeframe, although not quite as quick as when I renewed 2 passports on the same day in England a few years ago.

[elgenon]

Sorry to be so out of it but I don't remember what facility is located in Trendy. Please refresh my memory. Thanks.