Passport Renewal / Application - Time Taken?

[Flashback]

Just received notification mine has been completed and is winging its way back over to the UK, so around 4 weeks (more likely 4.5-5) by the time it arrives through the door for me. Quicker than the 6-8 quoted which is good.

 

[Flashback]

Although, I am slightly concerned by this - I hope it's just part of their auto e-mail and ignores the fact that postal applications are still valid for +30 days based on what their FAQ says.

Your passport is on its way!
Mailing arrangements overseas vary by location.
You can check the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website to find information about the embassy or mission in your location.
Your previous passport has been cancelled and is not valid for travel.

This e-mail was generated automatically. Please don't reply.

I guess I'll find out tomorrow when I try to re-enter France from Andorra

 

[Flashback]

Good news, no issues re-entering France, although they don't run it through the computer so not a good indicator. Will see how tomorrow goes trying to get back to London.

 

[Flashback]

Good news, no issues re-entering France, although they don't run it through the computer so not a good indicator. Will see how tomorrow goes trying to get back to London.

They let me check in for the flight no worries, so possibly just an argument at the border at LHR but I'm sure it'll be fine

 

[SydneySwan]

@Flashback - just waiting for the I am in immigration detention update.

 

[Flashback]

LHR let me in too, so generic email safely disregarded and Mrs FB has confirmed she has my new passport at home waiting for me

My bag even came out first.. 30 second wait (had to buy my fav French mustard so meant checking a bag ), so winning all round. Life is good.

 

[Flashback]

Mine is the queen, received last week.

King for me!

After sitting on bedside table for 3 hours. No clear cover included.

Ditto here, seems they don't issue with a clear cover anymore.

I know he can still use it, just thought that seeing as the new R series started in Sep 2022 that we might have used up the first 6 months supply and have gone to a reprint with an update to the new King.
Then again, on my recent UK trip most places and even the guards uniforms were still ER II.
And it would be kinda cool to have one of the new King passports I think.

I've just received an R series (issued 2 weeks ago, but only just arrived at home in the UK - remind me again why we pay extra from overseas? ), so must be a new print run.

 

[MollyJones]

Jealous!

 

[exLXCXFF]

Has anyone recently used the RAPID Australian passport renewal in the Sydney Metropolitan area and can provide some feedback on timing / experience?

What I can’t seem to figure out is whether anyone is eligible for RAPID as long as you pay the fee?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

From the DFAT priority processing page, it says 2 days from when they receive your application via Auspost.
Just say you need to travel urgently, and pay the fee.
Auspost will want your moneys worth, and they won't make a fuss.
They will just ask the bear/bare min questions, like old/former passport, if you can present that, and the prefilled form that you have done, with the info that DFAT has already printed, and you fill in any missing bits, it should take too long.
Main point, is that you can present the preceeding passport that is due to expire.
So long as you haven't lost that, it should be fast.
I became an Aust in 2010, did my passport renewal in 2020, and it took 10 days, non RAPID though.
===

Urgent applications

Priority processing If you need your passport urgently, you may be eligible to pay the priority processing fee for faster service. We’ll process priority applications in two business days from when we receive your application.

www.passports.gov.au

 

[kookaburra75]

Has anyone recently used the RAPID Australian passport renewal in the Sydney Metropolitan area and can provide some feedback on timing / experience?

What I can’t seem to figure out is whether anyone is eligible for RAPID as long as you pay the fee?

We're in Canberra, but MrsK needed to use the priority route/payment as we'd forgotten to check the expiry date on her passport. From lodging that application to it arriving in the mail was three days.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Aust passports are now NOT stamped on exit or entry to Aust, neither is it when we go to visit our cousins across the "ditch", but yet, the passport is sooo $$$.
Aud$325 + $237 = $562.
Don't forget, if you have had 2 lost passports, in the past, you can't use RAPID.

 

[Warragul]

LHR let me in too, so generic email safely disregarded and Mrs FB has confirmed she has my new passport at home waiting for me

My bag even came out first.. 30 second wait (had to buy my fav French mustard so meant checking a bag ), so winning all round. Life is good.

Only a limited number of countries have electronic access to verify if an Australian passport is 'ok' (ie not expired, is valid etc). They are nearly all in the Asia Pacific region - it was an initiative of APEC years ago. Australia can check on the status of participating countries as well. UK and EU countries are not part of this.

APEC's Regional Movement Alert System - Enhancing Regional Air Travel Security | APEC

In the case of EU or UK, unless the expiry date on the passport is passed (or the 6 month validity limit some countries have) and is picked up at Immigration or on the International lost/stolen list then this shouldn't be an issue.

 

[exLXCXFF]

Don't forget, if you have had 2 lost passports, in the past, you can't use RAPID.

which leads to an interesting question.

I don’t have an Australian passport, I will actually apply for an Australian passport for the first time as I will just become Australian citizenship. While my citizenship ceremony is in Australia, I actually live & work outside of Australia (was just recently transferred).

Hence, I guess to be seen whether I am eligible for RAPID

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

No, you cant use RAPID exLXCXFF.
Why, because you cant present an Aust passport.
After your first Aust passprt is issued, then, yes.
They used to cut the >>>>/<<<< bit from former passprt to make it "inoperable".
On the paper application form, which is from what you type, and print, you have to type in a previous passport #.
For getting an Aust passport, esp first one ever, its a pain in the behind process.
Lots of paperwork, ie 100 points of id, Aust citizenship paper counts for 70, but also need DL for 25, medicare card/bills for extra 25.
For first passport, esp Aust one, you will also need an Aust who has known you for 12/24 months or more.
Passport photo also has to be notarized.
===
Auspost dont have passport application forms on hand anymore.
Need to go to the dfat website, fill in data, print that out on A4 paper, and then spend half a day doing the run around.
Sorry MODS.
===

https://online.passports.gov.au/Infiniti/Produce/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2FInfiniti%2FProduce%2Fwizard%2F8100b655-57b0-47fb-84c2-44fdbbb02c02%2F

If you are now overseas, maybe the Aust consulate can give more info.
According to google, applications can be dropped off to be processed at an Aust mission overseas.
===
Last waffly.

How to get a passport when overseas

Our 5 Step guide Gather original documents and two passport photos. Ask someone to be a guarantor. Fill in your application. Lodge your application and pay the fee. We’ll tell you when your passport is ready. Step 1: Gather original documents and two passport photos For an adult, unless you...

www.passports.gov.au

 

[exLXCXFF]

Why, because you cant present an Aust passport.
After your first Aust passprt is issued, then, yes.

Oh dear - thanks. Yes, I am working overseas but my citizenship ceremony is in NSW. So I plan to fly in for it of course, and then getting the passport with RAPID the next day, and then go back. This now needs some replanning I guess

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I would suggest applying for the Aust passport where you are living, as in country.
Because they usually post the completed passport to your home address.
And we all know of things going walkies from home post boxes, not everyone has scruples.
If there is no Aust mission where you are, go to the next country.
Granted, I am talking waffly, or bull as some would say.
Your current foreign passport will still show ABF you are an Aust PR holder, so you can travel on that, but officially, once you become an Aust citizen, you are supposed to use your Aust passport to leave and enter Aust.
One day after your citizenship ceremony, ABF might not know, but maybe the next visit, they will know via data transfer from the Aust passport office.
There is no opportunity to pick up a ready passport, once its done, as they post it from HBA.
Unless there is someone at your home address in Aust to be go to the post box and check as soon as mail arrives, its hard, as it might take 6 weeks for it to be ready.
My Auspost no longer has passport forms, maybe its behind the counter, and yours might be the same.
You can apply for it online, but still will have to print out the prefilled info on the form, and need maybe part of a day to chase up guarantee/someone who knows you, get photo notarized, lodge forms etc.
Take it from me, in 2010, I spent a whole day, getting things done, you also have to make an appointment with Auspost, for a "specialist" or an Auspost staff member who can do the data matching of citizenship cert and other paper work, that they be there for you at the data and time.
Much easier for an Aussie born, as they just have to present birth cert and id, and pay, but as for us born overseas, its more onerous.
But in the end, do as what you see needs to be done, grin, I know I talk too much.
Leave it at that for now.

 

[Warragul]

Your current foreign passport will still show ABF you are an Aust PR holder, so you can travel on that, but officially, once you become an Aust citizen, you are supposed to use your Aust passport to leave and enter Aust.

I'm pretty sure that any visa in force is cancelled (non derogatary) on becoming a citizen as Australian citizen is not entitled to a visa. Hence dual citizenship holders need to arrive using an Australian passport. Departing, it is not that much of an issue.

 

[exLXCXFF]

Departing, it is not that much of an issue

officially, once you become an Aust citizen, you are supposed to use your Aust passport to leave and enter Aust.

This is very interesting! Both, Department of Home Affairs and Smarttraveller have the following wording:

“Australians, including dual nationals, should depart and enter Australia on their Australian passport.” - emphasis being on should . Now, I really don’t want to be the test case for “should” though.

Unless there is someone at your home address in Aust to be go to the post box and check as soon as mail arrives, its hard, as it might take 6 weeks for it to be ready.

Yes, there is someone home - that’s not the issue. The issue is more the uncertainty in timing now as I am not eligible for RAPID.

You can apply for it online, but still will have to print out the prefilled info on the form, and need maybe part of a day to chase up guarantee/someone who knows you, get photo notarized, lodge forms

I have just gone through this for my son who is Aussie - that was a breeze I found, although still waiting for his passport day 13 and counting in Metropolitan Sydney.

 

[Warragul]

This is very interesting! Both, Department of Home Affairs and Smarttraveller have the following wording:

“Australians, including dual nationals, should depart and enter Australia on their Australian passport.” - emphasis being on should . Now, I really don’t want to be the test case for “should” though.

Yes, there is someone home - that’s not the issue. The issue is more the uncertainty in timing now as I am not eligible for RAPID.


I have just gone through this for my son who is Aussie - that was a breeze I found, although still waiting for his passport day 13 and counting in Metropolitan Sydney.

Maybe not cancelled the instant citizenship is conferred, but a visa certainly would not (or shouldn't) be granted or renewed after expiry to an Australian citizen.

Departing on a foreign passport without a in force visa, would mean a chat with ABF when going through Immigration to understand the circumstances, but once citizenship is established etc etc one will be on their way. A person is not prevented from leaving the country for visa irregularities, entry can be refused though.