British Passport application processing timelines (only)

[konkman]

Dear All,

I applied online on 2/4/14 and posted the application along with other documents on 3/4/14 and was received in the Glasgow office on 4/4/14.
Till now I have received no communication and calling the helpline seems a fruitless exercise. They did call me back couple of times but were not able to give any more information than I knew , ie my application is under process.

Today they gave me the number for booking appointment but when I called that line, they said they cant book an interview unless I have a letter and interview reference number.

Any ideas, dont know whom to ask? I even send a written compliant but no luck yet.

Best wishes
M

I am almost calling daily , but no luck...saying still under process. Any advice would be appreciated...its more than 6 weeks now

Finally last week received a letter strangely telling me that I had not filled the online application properly and asking me to fill the enclosed form( there was nothing enclosed and finally I got a form from post office). I sent that back on Saturday and they received it on Monday. On Tuesday I was told that application has been examined and may get a letter anytime for interview.
Today received a text saying they have received my application and should take up to 6 weeks, its already more than 6 weeks now.
Called the helpline and they are more confused saying it will be examined now.

Something wrong with Durham office?

Any ideas friends ...

Best wishes
M

Just called the interview booking number and surprised they were happy to offer me the same as it seems they have got my details. Booked interview for Saturday.

Hi mmf,
Did you have an interview booking reference number?
If not what did u do to convince them to book your interview?
Thanks.

[mmf]

M[/quote]

Just called the interview booking number and surprised they were happy to offer me the same as it seems they have got my details. Booked interview for Saturday.[/quote]

Hi mmf,
Did you have an interview booking reference number?
If not what did u do to convince them to book your interview?
Thanks.[/quote]

Hi konkman,

I find them more helpful and explained that I have applied a while ago and no one is giving any proper info. Can they check me on their system. They are able to find you by your name and date of birth provided you are on the system. I tried it some days ago as well but they told me that my name was not coming up but today it was there. So there is no harm in calling and also it saves the time as the letter comes 2nd class and takes days to come.

Best wishes
M

[Sahib1]

I think there may be something which is causing delays in Durham passport office.
I have sent my application for first passport about 7 weeks ago. Apart from one message that they have received my application i have not heard anything since then from them. I am hoping to receive a interview letter in coming days. The processing time given by them is though six weeks?

[ron.d]

Passport for: Adult First time
Application Type: New ( Naturalised
Method of application: BETA on line form and post
Date of application: 16/05/2014
Date application received by IPS: 19/05/2014 - GLASGOW Office
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter:
Date of Passport Appointment:
Date of Passport Receipt:

Hi Alex,

How did you know that your application was received on 19th? Did you get a text message? I have sent my documents to the Glasgow office as well but haven't heard anything from them! Should I be worried? Should I try to contact them?

Cheers,
Ronnie

[Crommers]

Update:
Hi All,

My details:

Method of Application: Myself
Date of Application: 24/04/2014
Date of Application Received by IPS: 25/04/14
Date of SMS Received: 29/04/14
Date of Fees deduction: 29/04/14
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter: 21/05/14 (Dated 19/05/14)
Date of Return of Documents: 22/05/14
Date of Interview booked: awaiting
Date of Passport Receipt: awaiting

Can someone please help? I got my interview letter and it says to ring a number but it is constantly busy? Is there any other way to get an appointment for your interview?

Thanks!

R

[AlexClark75]

Passport for: Adult First time
Application Type: New ( Naturalised
Method of application: BETA on line form and post
Date of application: 16/05/2014
Date application received by IPS: 19/05/2014 - GLASGOW Office
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter:
Date of Passport Appointment:
Date of Passport Receipt:

Hi Alex,

How did you know that your application was received on 19th? Did you get a text message? I have sent my documents to the Glasgow office as well but haven't heard anything from them! Should I be worried? Should I try to contact them?

Cheers,
Ronnie

Hi Ronnie:
I sent the documments by Royal Mail signed for, on the track number appear has been received and signed on 19/05/2014 9:45 AM . Im not received any other notification yet .

[statician]

Naturalised
Method of Application: Check & send post office
Date of Application: 24/04/2014
Date of Application Received by IPS: 29/04/14
Date of SMS Received: 30/04/14
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter: 20/05/14 (Dated 18/05/14 yes It was Sunday)
Date of Return of Documents: 21/05/14
Date of Interview booked: 29/05/2014
Date of Passport Receipt: awaiting

I just looked at my credit file and IPS have searched my equifax credit file on 18/05/2014. Is that the normal practice or is it just me being searched for unknown reason. By the way I havn't got any debt and I am a clean person so not worried but wanted to check if others have been credit searched as well.

[go-fish]

I have been calling 0300 222 1000 since last evening for booking an interview appointment but is constantly busy. It keeps on hold for 6 minutes and then automatically transfer to call back system which says someone will call as soon as possible. I leave my number everytime but no body calls ever. I wonder how to interpret " as soon as possible ".

The adviceline number is not any good either. Any options?

[amitc]

Method of Application: Check and Send
Date of Application: 24/04/2014
Date of Application Received by IPS: 25/04/14
Date of SMS Received: 29/04/14
Date of Fees deduction: N/A
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter: 17/05/14 (Dated 15/05/14)
Date of Return of Documents: 21/05/14
Date of Interview booked: 29/05/14 @ 5.15pm, London Victoria
Date of Passport Receipt: awaiting

[amitc]

I have been calling 0300 222 1000 since last evening for booking an interview appointment but is constantly busy. It keeps on hold for 6 minutes and then automatically transfer to call back system which says someone will call as soon as possible. I leave my number everytime but no body calls ever. I wonder how to interpret " as soon as possible ".

The adviceline number is not any good either. Any options?

I received my interview letter Saturday morning and straight way call them at around 9.30 am. There was no waiting at all and answered quickly by a very polite gentleman, though there is no evening appointment available soon so had to book after 12 days @ Victoria. So keep trying during first hour in the morning. Good Luck

[go-fish]

I have been calling 0300 222 1000 since last evening for booking an interview appointment but is constantly busy. It keeps on hold for 6 minutes and then automatically transfer to call back system which says someone will call as soon as possible. I leave my number everytime but no body calls ever. I wonder how to interpret " as soon as possible ".

The adviceline number is not any good either. Any options?

I received my interview letter Saturday morning and straight way call them at around 9.30 am. There was no waiting at all and answered quickly by a very polite gentleman, though there is no evening appointment available soon so had to book after 12 days @ Victoria. So keep trying during first hour in the morning. Good Luck

Did you book after 12 days because you specifically wanted evening appointment at Victoria or the earliest available (any time) at Victoria was after 12 days?

[amitc]

I have been calling 0300 222 1000 since last evening for booking an interview appointment but is constantly busy. It keeps on hold for 6 minutes and then automatically transfer to call back system which says someone will call as soon as possible. I leave my number everytime but no body calls ever. I wonder how to interpret " as soon as possible ".

The adviceline number is not any good either. Any options?

I received my interview letter Saturday morning and straight way call them at around 9.30 am. There was no waiting at all and answered quickly by a very polite gentleman, though there is no evening appointment available soon so had to book after 12 days @ Victoria. So keep trying during first hour in the morning. Good Luck

Did you book after 12 days because you specifically wanted evening appointment at Victoria or the earliest available (any time) at Victoria was after 12 days?

Hi go-fish, I was looking for evening appointment to avoid taking day off from my office so I asked him to give me last appointment they have. He said at Victoria they do last appo at 5.15 and the earliest available for that time is 29th but he got day appo available for 27th and he got next day appo available at Reading or Chelmsford which I was not interested so picked up 29th.

[chris1401]

Method of Application: PO check and send
Date of Application: 07/05/14
Date of Application Received by IPS: 13/05/14
Date of SMS Received: 13/05/14
Date of Fees deduction: N/A
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter: 23/05/14 (Dated 22/05/14)
Date of Return of Documents:awaiting
Date of Interview booked: 23/05/14 ( interview date 28/05/14)
Date of Passport Receipt: awaiting

This has been quick for a first time passport, Could anyone tell me how much longer till i get the passport and what the interview will be like.

Many Thanks

[BackTrack]

Method of Application: PO check and send
Date of Application: 07/05/14
Date of Application Received by IPS: 13/05/14
Date of SMS Received: 13/05/14
Date of Fees deduction: N/A
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter: 23/05/14 (Dated 22/05/14)
Date of Return of Documents:awaiting
Date of Interview booked: 23/05/14 ( interview date 28/05/14)
Date of Passport Receipt: awaiting

This has been quick for a first time passport, Could anyone tell me how much longer till i get the passport and what the interview will be like.

Many Thanks

Which passport office processed your application.

[shaunc]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: First time (naturalised citizen)
Method of application: PO Check & Send
Date of application: 22/04/2014
Date application received by IPS (post tracking): 23/04/2014
SMS received: 24/04/2014
Payment taken: 22/04/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter:
Date of return of documents:
Date of Passport Appointment:
Date of Passport Receipt:

I called the 0300 number today and my application is still "awaiting examination" at the Durham office, one month after applying. Based on posts over the last month or two it seems that the Durham office is not nearly as efficient as the other offices, which doesn't bode well as I'm due to fly on June 13th :-/

[go-fish]

Has anyone ever got a call back from adviceline or appointment bookings? It has an option that the agent will call you back as soon as one is available but I never got called back. I have been trying continuously to book appointment but no luck. Seems they are short of staff due to the upcoming bank holiday weekend.

[let_koko]

Hello Guys
For a reason I can not edit my original post
Below is my Timeline and end f my immigration journey

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send (Barking PO)
Date of application: 25th April 2014
Date application received by IPS: 29th April @ Peterborough IPS
Text Message Received: Yes on 30th April 2014
Date of return of documents: 22 May 2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: 20 May 2014
Date of Passport Appointment: 21 May 2014
Date of Passport Receipt: 23 May 2014
Those that are still waiting, I wish you luck as you wait patiently
Thanks to this forum

[chris1401]

Method of Application: PO check and send
Date of Application: 07/05/14
Date of Application Received by IPS: 13/05/14
Date of SMS Received: 13/05/14
Date of Fees deduction: N/A
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter: 23/05/14 (Dated 22/05/14)
Date of Return of Documents:awaiting
Date of Interview booked: 23/05/14 ( interview date 28/05/14)
Date of Passport Receipt: awaiting

This has been quick for a first time passport, Could anyone tell me how much longer till i get the passport and what the interview will be like.

Many Thanks

Which passport office processed your application.

I believe it was the Durham office.

[Crommers]

I have been trying to call the number on the interview letter for two days now and can't get through. I have left my number for a call back several times as well and haven't been called back.

Does it usually take this long to get through to some one?

Thanks,
R

[BackTrack]

you are lucky mate. Congratulations .I checked my post and still no interview letter no documents. Tomorrow It will be one month when I sent application

[BackTrack]

I have been trying to call the number on the interview letter for two days now and can't get through. I have left my number for a call back several times as well and haven't been called back.

Does it usually take this long to get through to some one?

Thanks,
R

No I left my number for callback and they did call me three days ago. I think it was within 48 hours.

[rilakkuma]

Hi,
I just got the interview letter on Friday23/05. Tried to book for many times, but line was busy constantly. Left auto call back, but nobody called.
First thing in this morning on Sat., 9am, right away. Already busy on the other side!
Any suggestions please? In the letter, it says they will withdraw application if dont book an pop ointment! But I need to speak to someone first,isn't it? Feeling very tired and helpless.
Anyone has any ideas? Or recently had the same problem?

Application Timeline

Application Type: New, first adult passport
Method of application: Special Delivery (Self)
Date of application: 28/04/2014
Date SMS Received: 01/05/2014
Date of deduction of fees:01/05/2014
Date of return of documents: Pending
Date of receipt of interview letter: 23/05/2014
Date of interview appointment: Pending
Date of SMS that Passport is being printed: Pending
Date of Passport Receipt: Pending

[Crommers]

YES... I am having the exact same problem! I got my letter on 21/05/14 and started trying on 22nd to no avail. I have left several messages for a call back and was calling them again this morning, when I think it might have been them calling me, and I missed their call!

They must be super busy with people trying to organise interviews - hopefully we both get one sorted soon.

R

[farrukhnizam]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New (Naturalized)
Method of application: Check and Send Service
Date of application: 12/05/2014
Date application received by IPS: Awaiting
Date of SMS Received: Awaiting
Date of return of documents: Awaiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: Awaiting
Date of Passport Appointment: Awaiting
Date of Passport Receipt: Awaiting

Hi All,
I still not received sms for my application. Is that normall.
Thanks

[NOG]

DX delivery seems to be a disaster. I was told that there was an attempt to make a delivery yesterday but then no card was left. Thier customer service is a nightmare since it take atleast half hour to get through. Going to have to wait till Wednesday now to collect the passport at the london victoria passport office!