Changes To British Passport Services In Thailand

[watso63]

Pathological Tory hating Yvette Cooper isn't helping matters with her typical hysterical mischief making prattling on about people losing holidays paid for by their lifetime savings blah, blah, blah. It's in a mess, yes, but those UK based muppets who leave everything until the last minute only have themselves to blame. Juggling visas etc for expats isn't so simple though.

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I saw the live broadcast from the House and pathological is an understatement, it was a pure rant rather than constructive response.

As far as we are concerned i had not realised that overseas applications were previously dealt with by the FCO and in March they were transferred to HMPO for security reasons. It would appear that the HMPO were unprepared for the additional workload and then the problem escalated rapidly as the last minute holiday brigade came on stream.

How quickly the additional staff, working hours and office space will have some effect remains to be seen.

I know about Cooper and her lunatic husband Balls all too well. Local MP's from my neck of the woods. Very hypocritical and dangerous individuals, that have been caught with their snouts deep in the expenses trough before. Just hope they never get in power, we will need ID cards too as well as passports and you can guarantee as an expat, if you don't qualify for an ID card, you will soon see what else you will lose out on.

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Edited June 13, 2014 by watso63

[sandyf]

Overseas applications

Overseas customers renewing an existing passport will be able to apply for it to be extended for 12 months. This will be done by consular staff in the country where they apply and appointments can be made from Monday 16 June. No additional fees will be charged and the security of the passport will not be affected.

Additional measures to meet high passport demand

Here's a link to the UK Government Press release:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/additional-measures-to-meet-high-passport-demand

So it looks like fast tracking is not an option for we non UK residents, being I presume as we are situated in the 'lower leagues'.

Not yet clear if the one year passport extension at the British Embassy is an option if you have already filed a renewal application and/or if you are yet to apply for a passport renewal.

ETD for kids seems to need proof of travel to the UK, so no good for any other trips.

I had a similar opinion, but after watching the debate in the House, it would appear that overseas applications cannot be past tracked because of additional security checks in the process.

At the moment all overseas applications are treated on the same basis but I cannot see why renewals cannot be separated from first time applications.

After all there is a fundamental security issue already, if as some maintain that VFS do not check photographs. If VFS does not do it, who can?

[watso63]

Overseas applications

Overseas customers renewing an existing passport will be able to apply for it to be extended for 12 months. This will be done by consular staff in the country where they apply and appointments can be made from Monday 16 June. No additional fees will be charged and the security of the passport will not be affected.

Additional measures to meet high passport demand

And the circle is complete. Consular staff doing what one of their main reasons for being in existence is all about. Apply via the consulate, send checked, completed and authorised application to the UK for the printing of the passport. Send back to Thailand. How hard?

I do not think that is what will take place. She said it would be quicker to extend the passport rather than issue a new passport.

I suspect that they will contact HMPO and alter the expiry date in the database and stamp your passport as being extended.

Should not be long before someone does it.

Apologies, yes, should be easy to extend with a consular stamp if the passport is still with the applicant. I was referring to what I hope will happen in the future. They've realised they were ill prepared and to sort out the mess, they've fired it back to the consulates........but how many other country's other than Thailand require an individual to keep their passport?

I thought most passports from most countries were sent with the application. Ooh, my brain hurts 555.

[digitalchromakey]

This is a misconception.

There is no checking against the passport.

VFS undertake a simple check of the documents supplied and ask YOU if that is what you want to send (ie address verification etc). They check you have signed the copies of the passport pages and that you have submitted photographs.

They do not check to see if your photos (and consequently the application) need countersigning on account of your appearance changing.

It is not a check and send service it is just a post box working to basic criteria.

It is all down to personal experience. The girl checked every page in my passport against the copy and then asked me to sign the copy. She also had a good look at the photo.

You are quite free to hold any opinion that suits.

Just because Trendy checked your passport photocopy against your original passport and looked at your photo, doesn't mean in any way that your passport application was verified by them,

Passport Application Verification will and can only be done by HMPO in the UK, Trendy are not contracted to verify application documents, photos or even payments.

Trendy are just contracted to collect/receive applications plus arrange collection of new passports and they are probably not paid a great deal for providing this basic service.

[rbkk]

My prayers have been answered. An e-mail from trendy to say my new passport has arrived. Process began on 26th March. E-mails repeatedly ignored. 33 days to make an appointment! 1900 baht++ for emergency 60 days wife visit stamp. Bribe to squeeze it in the "full" passport. Trendy personal application submitted on 28th April. I make that 45 days to when I got the e-mail.

So in my case: Process=78 days

Application Turnaround= 45days

Price paid for Jumbo=100 GBP (No original documents to return)

(update: 7 days/5 working days for 10.16GBP credit to hit my account)

It is a relief when you get the e-mail. As I said earlier; I hope it's what I ordered.

[digitalchromakey]

My prayers have been answered. An e-mail from trendy to say my new passport has arrived. Process began on 26th March. E-mails repeatedly ignored. 33 days to make an appointment! 1900 baht++ for emergency 60 days wife visit stamp. Bribe to squeeze it in the "full" passport. Trendy personal application submitted on 28th April. I make that 45 days to when I got the e-mail.

So in my case: Process=78 days

Application Turnaround= 45days

Price paid for Jumbo=100 GBP (No original documents to return)

(update: 7 days/5 working days for 10.16GBP credit to hit my account)

It is a relief when you get the e-mail. As I said earlier; I hope it's what I ordered.

Congratulations.

So officially 6.5 weeks and actually 11 weeks - still a truly appalling level of service, which ever way you look at it.

[digitalchromakey]

Overseas applications

Overseas customers renewing an existing passport will be able to apply for it to be extended for 12 months. This will be done by consular staff in the country where they apply and appointments can be made from Monday 16 June. No additional fees will be charged and the security of the passport will not be affected.

Additional measures to meet high passport demand

And the circle is complete. Consular staff doing what one of their main reasons for being in existence is all about. Apply via the consulate, send checked, completed and authorised application to the UK for the printing of the passport. Send back to Thailand. How hard?

I do not think that is what will take place. She said it would be quicker to extend the passport rather than issue a new passport.

I suspect that they will contact HMPO and alter the expiry date in the database and stamp your passport as being extended.

Should not be long before someone does it.

Apologies, yes, should be easy to extend with a consular stamp if the passport is still with the applicant. I was referring to what I hope will happen in the future. They've realised they were ill prepared and to sort out the mess, they've fired it back to the consulates........but how many other country's other than Thailand require an individual to keep their passport?

I thought most passports from most countries were sent with the application. Ooh, my brain hurts 555.

Good point that for most overseas applicants, their passports will already be 'lost in an orange box' somewhere in the system in the UK - small comfort for them.

However we the 'awaiting' in Thailand do have our passports, so let's hope the one year passport extension will work for us - yet another 2,000 Km round trip to BKK for me though - but it would beat a costly/hobbled ETD any day.

Next question is, if we can get a one year extension (and have space in our existing passports - luckily I do), what happens to our new passport application if they 'revalidate' our existing passports to add one year - does that application just sail on and we end with overlapping passports or do they rely on a physical cancellation of the extended passport when you collect your new passport or what?

For those with full UK passports should the British Consulates now be looking at providing extra pages, like are provided say for US passports?

[watso63]

Overseas applications
Overseas customers renewing an existing passport will be able to apply for it to be extended for 12 months. This will be done by consular staff in the country where they apply and appointments can be made from Monday 16 June. No additional fees will be charged and the security of the passport will not be affected.
Additional measures to meet high passport demand

And the circle is complete. Consular staff doing what one of their main reasons for being in existence is all about. Apply via the consulate, send checked, completed and authorised application to the UK for the printing of the passport. Send back to Thailand. How hard?

I do not think that is what will take place. She said it would be quicker to extend the passport rather than issue a new passport.
I suspect that they will contact HMPO and alter the expiry date in the database and stamp your passport as being extended.

Should not be long before someone does it.

Apologies, yes, should be easy to extend with a consular stamp if the passport is still with the applicant. I was referring to what I hope will happen in the future. They've realised they were ill prepared and to sort out the mess, they've fired it back to the consulates........but how many other country's other than Thailand require an individual to keep their passport?

I thought most passports from most countries were sent with the application. Ooh, my brain hurts 555.

Good point that for most overseas applicants, their passports will already be 'lost in an orange box' somewhere in the system in the UK - small comfort for them.

However we the 'awaiting' in Thailand do have our passports, so let's hope the one year passport extension will work for us - yet another 2,000 Km round trip to BKK for me though - but it would beat a costly/hobbled ETD any day.

Next question is, if we can get a one year extension (and have space in our existing passports - luckily I do), what happens to our new passport application if they 'revalidate' our existing passports to add one year - does that application just sail on and we end with overlapping passports or do they rely on a physical cancellation of the extended passport when you collect your new passport or what?

For those with full UK passports should the British Consulates now be looking at providing extra pages, like are provided say for US passports?

As bad as things are, I think you'll get yours too. The not knowing anything is the worst bit. Once you do get your new one, Trendy will stamp your old one as cancelled, so your new one will be the only useable passport, unless of course it is delivered to you via DHL, which has happened...bizarrely. Chin up.

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[parryhandy]

The one thing I hope that comes from all this is that the embassies and consulates are still required to give assistance and not allowed to just wash their hands of peoples misfortunes caused by this. Nobody should be allowed to leave the consulates feeling lost,confused and without any options.They are there to help their own citizens and they should be giving proper advice and if need be getting on the phone and complaining on behalf of Uk citizens.

[rbkk]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

My prayers have been answered. An e-mail from trendy to say my new passport has arrived. Process began on 26th March. E-mails repeatedly ignored. 33 days to make an appointment! 1900 baht++ for emergency 60 days wife visit stamp. Bribe to squeeze it in the "full" passport. Trendy personal application submitted on 28th April. I make that 45 days to when I got the e-mail.

So in my case: Process=78 days

Application Turnaround= 45days

Price paid for Jumbo=100 GBP (No original documents to return)

(update: 7 days/5 working days for 10.16GBP credit to hit my account)

It is a relief when you get the e-mail. As I said earlier; I hope it's what I ordered.

Congratulations.

So officially 6.5 weeks and actually 11 weeks - still a truly appalling level of service, which ever way you look at it.

Thank-you. Just to remind people that when I downloaded the application form on the night of 25th March, people were reporting getting their passports back in 18 days. Little was I to know what was to come. Time for a brew....

[digitalchromakey]

As bad as things are, I think you'll get yours too. The not knowing anything is the worst bit. Once you do get your new one, Trendy will stamp your old one as cancelled, so your new one will be the only useable passport, unless of course it is delivered to you via DHL, which has happened...bizarrely. Chin up.

Hope you are right, however, this Guardian article http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/12/emergency-passport-measures-may states that HMPO Liverpool are just opening orange boxes from 29th April for Examination.

The above being the case one can assume 3 weeks from now for passport delivery against the 29th April application - approx. 9 weeks.

We are also told that the number of domestic passport applications is rapidly ramping up and will now go off the scale with probably everyone whose passport expires within the next 6 months applying.

This lead me to conclude yet further loading on the system, so my application (from mid May) could well run to 10 weeks plus leaving me in the mire.

Edited June 13, 2014 by digitalchromakey

[Jangot]

I am so happy that I took the opportunity to renew my passport during my visit to UK in November last year.

I still had 10 pages available (of a jumbo) and 6 years validity, but I doubted that 10 pages would get my through to my next London visit.

The 'in person' service in London was reasonably qick and efficient.

This "progress" is so sad. I have previously renewed my passport at FCO Singapore (twice), Dubai, Chiang Mai, and it never took more than 1 week, even the Chiang Mai having to be sent to Bangkok.

What a mess now.

[parryhandy]

When you do it in person do you have to have proof of residence ?

The reason I ask is that the proof of residence is the one thing that people have a lot of difficulty with over here and Liverpool have difficulty accepting a lot of evidence yet if you are collecting your passport personally I cannot see why the need cannot be removed thus speeding up passport processing for everyone.

There are so many circumstances where at the time of applying you cannot get proof of residence and in a lot of cases only can prove you live somewhere else. How does this help security concerns?

The fact that they cannot legally check you actually live where you say you live is another reason I find it ridiculous.

Edited June 13, 2014 by parryhandy

[watso63]

When you do it in person do you have to have proof of residence ?

Unfortunately yes. This was one of the enhanced security measures that were going to be relaxed for overseas applicants until the aforementioned Yvette Cooper kicked off.

[BBJ]

Excuse my ignorance, but where is this email address to make an appointment?

Just curious, my passport pages are full, does this need to be renewed or can pages be added?

Thanks

[parryhandy]

When you do it in person do you have to have proof of residence ?

Unfortunately yes. This was one of the enhanced security measures that were going to be relaxed for overseas applicants until the aforementioned Yvette Cooper kicked off.

What even if you do it in the UK on a same day service ?

[digitalchromakey]

When you do it in person do you have to have proof of residence ?

The reason I ask is that the proof of residence is the one thing that people have a lot of difficulty with over here and Liverpool have difficulty accepting a lot of evidence yet if you are collecting your passport personally I cannot see why the need cannot be removed thus speeding up passport processing for everyone.

There are so many circumstances where at the time of applying you cannot get proof of residence and in a lot of cases only can prove you live somewhere else. How does this help security concerns?

The fact that they cannot legally check you actually live where you say you live is another reason I find it ridiculous.

Yes - here are the additional HMPO notes I received on this issue.

We have contacted our Liverpool Overseas Team on your behalf who has confirmed that you must submit at least one piece of evidence to confirm the address you currently use and it must be dated within the last year. You may choose from the following:

Tax record e.g. letter from tax authority

Educational record e.g. school report

Employment record e.g. official letter from your employer

A letter sent to you from a central, regional or local Government department

National identity card or equivalent (or colour photocopy)

Visa or resident permit (or colour photocopy)

Where none of the above is available consideration may be given to bank statements, utility bills or their equivalents.

Any documents that are not in English must be fully translated by a person who is registered to an official organisation or trade body for translators or employed by a recognised translation company. The translation must be attached to the original document and signed to confirm it is a true copy of the original.

[BBJ]

Can anyone advice of my situation.

My passport is full, and within the next 2 months I will be leaving my job, and subsequently my visa will need to be changed. I have no pages left and I'm concerned about the time it will take to renew my passport. I read a 12 month extension will be granted in some cases, but my passport isn't due for renewal, it is full. I am concerned as I will be leaving leaving my Job as I change in October.

I'm concerned about the visa issue.

Married with child.

Any advice much appreciated.

Edited June 13, 2014 by BBJ

[digitalchromakey]

Excuse my ignorance, but where is this email address to make an appointment?

Just curious, my passport pages are full, does this need to be renewed or can pages be added?

Thanks

Link here, assuming adult, renewing in Thailand:

https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports/y/thailand/renewing_new/adult

The agency at Trendy have fairly poor English skills, so keep your appointment request super simple e.g. Dear Sirs, Please can I have an passport application appointment date time 1, 2, 3, thank you. Name....

Currently there is no provision for UK Passport Extra Pages, unlike for US Passports where there is such a provision.

Edited June 13, 2014 by digitalchromakey

[parryhandy]

Can anyone advice of my situation.

My passport is full, and within the next 2 months I will be leaving my job, and subsequently my visa will need to be changed. I have no pages left and I'm concerned about the time it will take to renew my passport. I read a 12 month extension will be granted in some cases, but my passport isn't due for renewal, it is full. I am concerned as I will be leaving leaving my Job as I change in October.

I'm concerned about the visa issue.

Married with child.

Any advice much appreciated.

I would phone the Embassy/HMPO and ask them because at the moment you have no chance of getting your renewal back in time if you start the process now. Extension wont help if your passport is full.

This is what these idiots don't realise is that you cant just up sticks on an ETD (emergency travel document) when you have children and family to consider.

Now if they could issue you with a temporary passport valid for a year then that would help or an ETD that can take visas and the like and make them free.

[sandyf]

When you do it in person do you have to have proof of residence ?

The reason I ask is that the proof of residence is the one thing that people have a lot of difficulty with over here and Liverpool have difficulty accepting a lot of evidence yet if you are collecting your passport personally I cannot see why the need cannot be removed thus speeding up passport processing for everyone.

There are so many circumstances where at the time of applying you cannot get proof of residence and in a lot of cases only can prove you live somewhere else. How does this help security concerns?

The fact that they cannot legally check you actually live where you say you live is another reason I find it ridiculous.

Yes - here are the additional HMPO notes I received on this issue.

We have contacted our Liverpool Overseas Team on your behalf who has confirmed that you must submit at least one piece of evidence to confirm the address you currently use and it must be dated within the last year. You may choose from the following:

Tax record e.g. letter from tax authority

Educational record e.g. school report

Employment record e.g. official letter from your employer

A letter sent to you from a central, regional or local Government department

National identity card or equivalent (or colour photocopy)

Visa or resident permit (or colour photocopy)

Where none of the above is available consideration may be given to bank statements, utility bills or their equivalents.

Any documents that are not in English must be fully translated by a person who is registered to an official organisation or trade body for translators or employed by a recognised translation company. The translation must be attached to the original document and signed to confirm it is a true copy of the original.

This is from the overseas office, if you go in person they just require a contact address.

[sandyf]

When you do it in person do you have to have proof of residence ?

Unfortunately yes. This was one of the enhanced security measures that were going to be relaxed for overseas applicants until the aforementioned Yvette Cooper kicked off.

Adult passport renewals

To renew your passport, use the:

• urgent renewal service if you’re in the UK for 3 weeks or less
• standard renewal service if you’re in the UK for more than 3 weeks

If you apply while you’re in the UK, your passport can only be delivered to a UK address - don’t book any travel until you’ve got it.

Edited June 13, 2014 by sandyf

[Soutpeel]

The one thing I hope that comes from all this is that the embassies and consulates are still required to give assistance and not allowed to just wash their hands of peoples misfortunes caused by this. Nobody should be allowed to leave the consulates feeling lost,confused and without any options.They are there to help their own citizens and they should be giving proper advice and if need be getting on the phone and complaining on behalf of Uk citizens.

Although your sentiment is correct, one suspects the consulate's have not washed their hands of anything per se, being told to keep their noses out of it is most likely closer to the truth

[Soutpeel]

The funny thing is, I can foresee this passport thing going full circle and you will need to apply at the BE again and pick your PP up from as it was in the past

[parryhandy]

The funny thing is, I can foresee this passport thing going full circle and you will need to apply at the BE again and pick your PP up from as it was in the past

Exactly what I said on the first page on the previous passport topic a few months ago. There were many good reasons as to why it was done this way which are still valid today.

[BBJ]

I apologise for sounding totally dim, but I understand the link is on the government site for the forms etc, but does one have to make a request via email to the Trendy Building for an appointment. If so, where is the available email adress. The links provided are only for the forms etc. Am I missing something?

[digitalchromakey]

I apologise for sounding totally dim, but I understand the link is on the government site for the forms etc, but does one have to make a request via email to the Trendy Building for an appointment. If so, where is the available email adress. The links provided are only for the forms etc. Am I missing something?

The application appointment email address is on the Web Page I linked you to.

[email protected]

Trendy are the HMPO's forwarding agents for passport applications, so you need to make the appointment with Trendy.

Edited June 13, 2014 by digitalchromakey

[BBJ]

I apologise for sounding totally dim, but I understand the link is on the government site for the forms etc, but does one have to make a request via email to the Trendy Building for an appointment. If so, where is the available email adress. The links provided are only for the forms etc. Am I missing something?

The application appointment email address is on the Web Page I linked you to.

[email protected]

Trendy are the HMPO's forwarding agents for passport applications, so you need to make the appointment with Trendy.

Cheers, one of those days today.

It is not possible to walk in and make an apointment? Reason I ask i'm right next to it.

Edited June 13, 2014 by ubonjoe
moved reply from quoted text

[evadgib]

The one thing I hope that comes from all this is that the embassies and consulates are still required to give assistance and not allowed to just wash their hands of peoples misfortunes caused by this. Nobody should be allowed to leave the consulates feeling lost,confused and without any options.They are there to help their own citizens and they should be giving proper advice and if need be getting on the phone and complaining on behalf of Uk citizens.

Although your sentiment is correct, one suspects the consulate's have not washed their hands of anything per se, being told to keep their noses out of it is most likely closer to the truth

The "the embassy ain't doing nuffink" brigade probably missed it but articles released this week confirm that the appropriate authorities were advised that the move wasn't going to work.

Edited June 13, 2014 by evadgib

[parryhandy]

yes but a political game has ensued and I believe us expats have suffered so as to prove a point

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