The UK's "instant" passport service ... how long currently to appointment?
My colleague was wondering if anyone has used the
https://www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently/online-premium-service
UK's "instant" "online premium" passport service.
You apply using that page and (apparently eventually) get it on the spot at an appointment.
Right there it says "two days minimum" until you get the appointment.
1) Has anyone used this recently, if so how many days was the wait?
2) Is there any difference between the 6 or so offices; any are quicker than the others?
HUGE TRAVELLER TIP:
Fascinating point with this "online premium" service:
Say it's Monday and you book one of these appointments for say Wednesday.
It turns out that your current passport is actually CANCELLED on that day, Wednesday - it is not valid on Wednesday!!!!
They are very adamant about this.
You get warned by phone, email and on the ww:
So, say you're in Germany and you get the appointment for Wednesday, you can't travel on Wednesday! Your passport is cancelled! You have to travel on Tuesday!!!
Fascinating!
ENORMOUS TRAVELLER TIP
YOU GET ONLY THREE TRIES for your card payment
As usual, Mastercard is sloppier than Visa, and debit cards are sloppier again. If you are applying from overseas and you (as you would) have an overseas card, take extreme care.
You definitely want to (A) pre-phone all your cards providers and tell them an odd charge is coming through and (B) ensure you have the "verified by visa" or "3D mastersecure" (whatever it's called) password on hand - nobody remembers those.
Pictures about "The UK's "instant" passport service ... how long currently to appointment?"
How long do passport appointments take UK?
You get your new passport at your appointment. Appointments last up to 30 minutes.How long is the current wait for a UK passport?
Processing times in the UK Allow up to 10 weeks to receive your passport. There are different turnaround times if you're applying from another country.What is the current turn around time for passports?
For standard passport processing service, the State Department anticipates eight to 11 weeks for processing.Can you go to passport office without appointment?
You must book an appointment for an urgent passport application before you call or visit a centre. Use the normal service if you don't need a passport urgently.Studying English: the British Isles
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Baljit Johal, Karen LaƄrk Boshoff, Ksenia Chernaya, MART PRODUCTION