Post
by tra123 » Sat May 24, 2014 8:59 pm
Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Postal to Durham
Date of application: 16th April 2014
Date application received by IPS: 17th April
Text Message Received: 23 April 2014
Date of return of documents: 24 May 2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: awaiting but apparently sent on 23rd by second class.
Date of Passport Appointment: awaiting
Date of Passport Receipt: awaiting
Thought my experience may help someone else out there in similar situation…I ended up requiring my NZ passport back urgently due to travel plans being brought forward from originally needing to travel mid June.
On the 16th May after numerous attempts to get through on the 0300 number I spoke to someone in the ‘progress’ team, second tier of the initial person you speak with. They advised I put in writing a request to withdraw my application as I needed my passport urgently. I sent this off immediately via special delivery with another reply paid special delivery envelope.
This was signed for on 19th May, on the 20th May, could not get through to anyone at all to ask about progress despite being on redial all day. On 21st May, spoke to someone at 0300 number who was somewhat clueless and had difficulty taking my details down to even find my application, suggested I stay home and wait for post as well as answer my phone to any calls!!
On 22nd May, I rang 08456015175 number to Durham, waited on hold for 33 minutes before speaking to someone who felt confident my passport could be returned that day and assured me someone would call me back that day, that didn’t happen.
On 23rd May, made 3 attempts to get through to the 0845 numbers, the first 2 times being disconnected after approx 16 and 33 minutes. On the 3rd attempt, remained on hold for over 50 minutes which was painful due to the repeated 30 second loop message, (ignore the repeating statement that you must have an interview letter, they will deal with you and didn’t mention it to me).
The person I spoke to said that they were extremely busy and someone might be able to put my passport in the post but they would call me back later…didn’t warm to my offer to personally pop up to Durham from London to collect.
About 2 hours later, someone did call me back and was very helpful saying that he was going to post it now in the envelope and had requested Saturday delivery, also to my surprise said that I wasn’t going to have to redo an application for a British passport despite my letter of withdrawal, he would send out interview letter at same time separately so I can book appointment on my return early June. True to his word, my passport and documents were returned this morning with a note saying interview letter was on the way, so off I fly on Monday!
Good luck to you all! Thanks for the info posted on the immigration boards as it has been so helpful at various points in the past 8 years!