Passport Renewal / Application - Time Taken?

[ThePointyEnd]

A passport with so much innovation, the chip fails in the first 6 months Perhaps it is a feature...

Has that happened to you? Were you significantly inconvenienced if so?

 

[Flashback]

Has that happened to you? Were you significantly inconvenienced if so?

Yes, mine failed 5 months in. I travel internationally every other week and arriving into LHR and LGW and not being able to use the smart gates has been costing me a lot of time, so I would consider that to be pretty significantly inconvenienced. I'll then have to be further inconvenienced, as well as financially to try and get a replacement. When the renewal was done that took around 3.5 weeks and I can't afford that length of time without my passport until at least June (and that will likely change by then also).

 

[Flashback]

Well - arrived into LHR late this evening and no one in the e-Gate assistance queue, plus there were 3 agents! Usually only 1. Straight through tonight at least, which was a nice change. Heading out of LGW tomorrow, so no worries there as there's no passport control outbound.

 

[Himeno]

My current passport expires later this year (Aug or Sep). What's the best time to renew?

 

[elanshin]

My current passport expires later this year (Aug or Sep). What's the best time to renew?

Before July and the price increase.

It also depends if you're travelling to any country that needs a 3/6 months expiry on your passport.

I just sent mine in for renewal and hopefully can try and apply for Japan TTP before my next JP trip.

 

[Flashback]

Well - arrived into LHR late this evening and no one in the e-Gate assistance queue, plus there were 3 agents! Usually only 1. Straight through tonight at least, which was a nice change. Heading out of LGW tomorrow, so no worries there as there's no passport control outbound.

I was nearly not allowed into Turkey today, because after he swiped my passport he was then trying to prove it was real (I guess) by scanning the chip ...... which of course wouldn't scan. A few people and 15 minutes later and they eventually agreed it was real and let me in. Crikey! Looks like I'm going to need to try and get it replaced sooner rather than later.

 

[SydneySwan]

I was nearly not allowed into Turkey today, because after he swiped my passport he was then trying to prove it was real (I guess) by scanning the chip ...... which of course wouldn't scan. A few people and 15 minutes later and they eventually agreed it was real and let me in. Crikey! Looks like I'm going to need to try and get it replaced sooner rather than later.

WOW! So whether you look like the photo, have other evidence, e.g. credit cards, driving license, as to your identity doesn't count anymore? If the chip doesn't scan then that is all that matters.

 

[ThePointyEnd]

I was nearly not allowed into Turkey today, because after he swiped my passport he was then trying to prove it was real (I guess) by scanning the chip ...... which of course wouldn't scan. A few people and 15 minutes later and they eventually agreed it was real and let me in. Crikey! Looks like I'm going to need to try and get it replaced sooner rather than later.

Guys, get two passports and never leave home without both.

 

[Flashback]

Guys, get two passports and never leave home without both.

Have had issues trying to get a second one issued in the past. Not as simple as it sounds unfortunately.

 

[ThePointyEnd]

Have had issues trying to get a second one issued in the past. Not as simple as it sounds unfortunately.

I would have thought it was worth the effort. I've flown back to Oz on my UK passport as I'd left my Oz passport in the hotel safe and didn't have time to go back and get it. It caused some grumbles both arriving and departing again, but it worked!

 

[Babesofy]

Child passport renewal timeframe:
Submitted 14th Feb
Ready to ship 23rd Feb
Delivered 26th Feb

 

[Rugby]

Renewed passport arrived today, two weeks after submission at local post office. A pity they don’t supply the plastic sleeve anymore

 

[CaptJCool]

Most recent data

 

[Blackadder]

Renewal took around 10 working days, and another couple of days to post out.
Lodged at the local post office on 9/2.

 

[auriga]

anyone notice their new passport covers are curling and not sitting flat?

 

[Flashback]

anyone notice their new passport covers are curling and not sitting flat?

Initially, yes. Now mine somehow has some small dents in it (even though it's always stored in my passport cover, just as my previous passports have..... which have never had the same happen) and while it's flat, the chip doesn't work......

 

[ThePointyEnd]

anyone notice their new passport covers are curling and not sitting flat?

Yes, and I believe that some places reject passports with "bent" corners, whatever that might mean. I haven't experienced this, have other members?

 

[Happy Trails]

anyone notice their new passport covers are curling and not sitting flat?

This peer reviewed study (post 113) may shed some light.

You know you are a former frequent flyer when...

For me, as a recovering travel-holic, I check MATRIX ITA once every day - just see which complex route I can take the next time I'm able to fly international, imagine QF or VA doing a DSC and calculate how much credits will I earn per $ and how quickly I can retain QF WP

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Blackadder]

anyone notice their new passport covers are curling and not sitting flat?

Yes , just put it down to the way it was handled in the post.

 

[zylian]

Applied well after 12PM on Friday 1 Mar at a Passport RAPID location in Melbourne, paid for priority
Picked up at passport Office Tuesday 5 Mar morning