Passport Renewal / Application - Time Taken?

[Himeno]

Just arrived. Tracking didn't update until after I got a text message from auspost saying it was on the way and would be here in the next hour.

Fresh out of package and already curling covers.
Compared to 10 year old prior passport.


Surprised that the new one didn't come with a cover/case like the old one.
Going to keep it in the old cover when not needing it. Maybe that will help minimize the curling.

 

[blackcat20]

Just arrived. Tracking didn't update until after I got a text message from auspost saying it was on the way and would be here in the next hour.

Fresh out of package and already curling covers.
Compared to 10 year old prior passport.

View attachment 377946View attachment 377947View attachment 377948
Surprised that the new one didn't come with a cover/case like the old one.
Going to keep it in the old cover when not needing it. Maybe that will help minimize the curling.

Yeah I've reused the cover from my previous passport to keep it in good condition.

 

[blackcat20]

Lodged Miss TomCats renewal on 8 April and still waiting for any news...

 

[Flyfrequently]

Lodged Miss TomCats renewal on 8 April and still waiting for any news...

Did you pay for fast track @blackcat20 ?

This could possibly go in the travel mistakes thread, my Mackay based brother and SIL discovered her passport had expired 12 days out from departure (was supposed to be tomorrow)
Applied for new one, much to his chagrin paid the $$ for fast track.
Notified passport done within 4 business days and ready for delivery.

And for the past week passort has only made in from Melbourne to Brisbane - sitting in some truck somewhere.
Needless to say, trip put back a week

Hope you have better luck

 

[blackcat20]

Did you pay for fast track @blackcat20 ?

This could possibly go in the travel mistakes thread, my Mackay based brother and SIL discovered her passport had expired 12 days out from departure (was supposed to be tomorrow)
Applied for new one, much to his chagrin paid the $$ for fast track.
Notified passport done within 4 business days and ready for delivery.

And for the past week passort has only made in from Melbourne to Brisbane - sitting in some truck somewhere.
Needless to say, trip put back a week

Hope you have better luck

No, didn't bother as we still have 9 weeks till we go.

 

[Flyfrequently]

No, didn't bother as we still have 9 weeks till we go.

Pleased to say @blackcat20 , Mackay postie has just been, passport safely in her hand. 4 business days to process and 8 business days to deliver.
Good thing they moved their flights, motor home etc as would have been way too close, they now fly out next Monday.

 

[somebol]

Applied on 16th and got message today that it is with auspost

 

[frodo]

Applied on the 15th and received it yesterday. One week turnaround without fast track, very quick.

 

[blackcat20]

US passport received in 3 weeks 5 days. Aus Passport "in progress" according to the lovely lady I spoke to yesterday. 3 weeks and counting.

 

[Flashback]

Given the reports here of passports being ripped up in front of their eyes, I held off contacting the Australian Embassy in London regarding my passport with a faulty chip. I figured what could I lose by e-mailing them, with very little information to allow them to cancel it.

Low and behold, I received a reply only 30 minutes later by e-mail - astonished to say the least!

You can come to the passport office with the passport at any time between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday and we can check the chip for you. There is no need to make an appointment.

We can then advise what the appropriate course of action would be. You would not need to attend again.

You would also continue to be able to travel on it until you were in receipt of a replacement.

I will head in next week and report back, but very impressed with the response - albeit it's still likely to cost me a bombshell to fix.

I finally made it I'm yesterday due to having just completed a busy period of travel.

Where do I start? Security weren't going to let me in, I was told that they'd only do damaged passport checks for walk ins from 1-3pm. I showed him the e-mail from their office saying 9am-4pm and begrudginly was let in.

Upon explaining the issue, the guy said he was going to take my passport there and then and it would be cancelled on the spot. Again, I had to whip out my e-mail where I was told otherwise, stressing the fact I travel regularly and have upcoming travel in the next week or two (and for several weeks after) and he then decided to make an exception. Not off to a good start!

I was then advised it would have to be sent off to Canberra to be checked, and in theory it should be free. However, it may end up not being so if they decide that to be the case and therefore I had to fill in a renewal application (he printed it, so I just filled in with pen the bits like dates, signature etc.) and I had to do a 20 minute round trip walk (and pay £18) for a new set of photos that may or may not be used. I won't get them back if they decide it is a free re-print, but small price to pay I suppose. Still an inconvenience and leaves a bitter taste in one's mouth!

In addition to that, I had to fill in a form B-11 and explain what the issue was, when it last worked, how I know it wasn't working etc. and also had to list out my upcoming travel.

I'm now waiting to hear from them (via e-mail I'm told) and it will either be a re-print (free) which will be handy if so, given how full my passport was. Otherwise it will be a standard renewal, at $501 AUD which includes the overseas premium.

 

[sf25c]

Completed renewal at the post office last Wednesday - arrived this morning - just over a week turn around - pretty happy with that (no fast track service).

 

[krammis76]

Completed renewal at the post office last Wednesday - arrived this morning - just over a week turn around - pretty happy with that (no fast track service).

I completed my renewal on the 20th of april. And still don't have any movement. Supposed to be going on a cruise on the 15th of May so it's going to be close! Was told on friday that i'm now in the print queue so i'm crossing my fingers it comes soon!

 

[blackcat20]

Still waiting for Miss TC's passport, four weeks since we lodged.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Still waiting for Miss TC's passport, four weeks since we lodged.

Still have a few weeks up your sleeve before you fly @blackcat20 ?

 

[blackcat20]

Still have a few weeks up your sleeve before you fly @blackcat20 ?

Yes, next month thank goodness.

 

[blackcat20]

Passport email arrived this morning, so four weeks plus delivery time. Phew.

 

[Flashback]

Passport email arrived this morning, so four weeks plus delivery time. Phew.

I'm still waiting to hear back from Canberra what decision they've made on mine (free re-print or fully paid for renewal). Given I have my passport in my hands, not sure what they're using to make the decision other than the explanation I've written up on the B-11 form...? If it's based on that, it should be a clear cut case i.e., how can they decide whether it's faulty or whether it's been damaged by me, if they don't have the physical passport? The wait continues. Frustrating as I have travel I need to do and while I will get 30 days use of my passport once the new one is cut, the pending travel I have would see me away during that period so I can't risk getting stuck somewhere.

 

[blackcat20]

Fresh out of the envelope

 

[Flashback]

Th

Fresh out of the envelope
View attachment 384297

That's some fantastic quality control right there!

 

[blackcat20]

Th

That's some fantastic quality control right there!

Especially given they no longer supply a sleeve