Post
by sebgei » Sat Mar 16, 2019 2:10 pm
My wife and I applied online in February for our first passport after naturalisation. We are both EEA nationals, both applications went to HMPO Glasgow at the same day, identities were confirmed at the same day (within 1 hour of each other), supporting documents arrived the same day, and both applications joined the processing queue at exactly the same time. So the background situation is as similar as possible.
My wife had her application approved 10 days after it joined the queue and already has her new passport. My application is now at day 15 and still in the processing queue, with 21 days of total processing time and counting. With the weekend and duration needed to print and courier the passport, I expect a total processing time of 4 weeks or more, so quite a bit longer than the timelines reported here where most applications are done and dusted in 2 weeks.
I called the HMPO helpline and they said my application is still being processed (I was told that they confirmed that I am British and won't need an interview, and simply have to wait longer). I really hope to receive my passport soon as I have to travel very regularly overseas for work with the next trip coming up in 2 weeks...
Long story short: the duration can be really variable even within the same HMPO. I guess check and send vs online application seems to be less of a factor.