Messed up UK passport application and maybe retirement visa.

[kurd]

Help.

I have a couple of questions.

I applied for new UK passport in Jan and called UK helpline yesterday for info on status.I left it nine weeks because I have heard the horror stories of people waiting months for a new passport and assumed it would take a few months.

Great service on the helpline no waiting straight through and quick answer.it wasn't the answer I was expecting though.He told me my photos were not acceptable and they had sent me a letter asking me to send replacements.

I never did get the letter but I sent new pics by EMS today.Should take about four days to get to Liverpool.

That would all be no problem but this year my retirement visa is due to be renewed/extended again on 20th April (in three weeks time).

The chances of me getting my passport back before that date look pretty slim

My current passport expires in May so they will not give me a extend visa with only one month validity left.

I don't think I can leave the country to get a short term tourist visa because I have a feeling my current passport was cancelled as soon as I applied for new one.anyway I don't think they would let me back in the country with only one month validity left.

I really don't want to be stuck here on overstay without a valid passport and also the hassle of getting my long stay visa sorted out again.

Any ideas would be really appreciated.

A couple of complaints as well.

I know I made a mistake with the photos but why didn't the staff at VSF Global at Trendy spot this.Two members of staff and a supervisor checked my docs and photos and told me all was well

I was also a bit surprised when the guy at the passport office said they had sent a letter.A letter??What ever happened to email???

[nzexpat]

You should avoid overstay !

You could obtain a visa exempt entry (30 days) at a border which in turn can be extended for another 30 days at immigration.

Or you could go out to obtain an "O" visa which is something you will have to do anyway if you wish to obtain a new extension of stay based on retirement.

[Mario2008]

You can get an extension in your old passport without any problem, but it will only be valid till the expiry date of your passport.

Once you have the new passport you apply for a new extension.

Don't forget to get a letter from your embassy regarding your new passport.

[Jip99]

Trendy's role is not to et your application - all decisions are made in the UK. The instructions are very clear about the requirements so whilst you may have been unlucky you are not really in a position to complain.

Not having a go but you left it very late to renew your passport and left it too long in contacting the helpline - there are many posts on TV about how speedy the service now is.

Your 'get out of jail card' is the fact that Thai immigration computer systems and the UK Passport Agency are not linked. That means that you can exit the country.

However, you don't really want to lose your extension and start again with getting a visa. I would probably bite the bullet and pay for a new extension (that immigration will only stamp until the expiry date of your passport) and then do another once you get your passport back - which will obviously be before May.

Go and visit your local immigration office, they will give you est advice if you explain the situation.

[ubonjoe]

Perhaps you will be lucky and your passport will be here in time. Recent reports are that some people have gotten their new passports in 2 to 3 weeks from the date they applied at Trendy.

If not you could apply for a 7 day extension to give you a bit more time. When you apply for it ask immigration if they will do your extension at the end of it. Some offices will will while others will not. If not then it would best to go out for a single entry non-o visa after you get your new passport.

[Jip99]

You can get an extension in your old passport without any problem, but it will only be valid till the expiry date of your passport.

Once you have the new passport you apply for a new extension.

Don't forget to get a letter from your embassy regarding your new passport.

Maybe ask immigration about the embassy letter - Kap Choeng didn't require one.

[evadgib]

How about a 12 month extn of passport via the embassy? As far as i'm aware this is still possible & will buy time until your replacement arrives.

[Jip99]

How about a 12 month extn of passport via the embassy? As far as i'm aware this is still possible & will buy time until your replacement arrives.

To the best of my knowledge you cannot extend a UK passport if you have already applied for renewal (I will stand corrected on that if someone can prove otherwise).

[evadgib]

That's right. I had overlooked it when I replied.

[OJAS]

From the OP:- "He told me my photos were not acceptable and they had sent me a letter asking me to send replacements."

To my mind, this really beggars belief, even by the "sky-high" standards of brazen incompetence which HMPO have set themselves! Why on earth couldn't they have called you (or at the very least sent you an email) to inform you that your photos weren't acceptable? If I were in your shoes I would be seriously inclined to lodge a formal complaint with them about their handling of this aspect of your application once the dust has settled and you have finally received your new passport.

An academic point now, of course, but were you not aware that you could have renewed your passport any time after last August and still have had its unexpired period automatically added in full to the lifetime of your new passport?

[evadgib]

Temporary passport extension stamp ends for British citizens living abroad

[Jip99]

From the OP:- "He told me my photos were not acceptable and they had sent me a letter asking me to send replacements."

To my mind, this really beggars belief, even by the "sky-high" standards of brazen incompetence which HMPO have set themselves! Why on earth couldn't they have called you (or at the very least sent you an email) to inform you that your photos weren't acceptable? If I were in your shoes I would be seriously inclined to lodge a formal complaint with them about their handling of this aspect of your application once the dust has settled and you have finally received your new passport.

An academic point now, of course, but were you not aware that you could have renewed your passport any time after last August and still have had its unexpired period automatically added in full to the lifetime of your new passport?

or......... maybe having realised it was cutting a bit fine, extended first.

That one was a lesson for me and it is worth knowing that a 12 month extension can be obtained free of charge.

[evadgib]

Not any more, see previous post.