Will I be eligible for an Emergency Travel Document?

Will I be eligible for an Emergency Travel Document? - Side view of content elderly male in suit and outerwear sitting in front seat of contemporary automobile and looking away

I'm a UK citizen residing in the US. I haven't travelled overseas in nearly 2 years and wish to travel to the UK for 10 days in August.

Unfortunately, I discovered that my passport has expired. I can apply for a renewal, but the prevailing wisdom is that this will take at least 6 weeks and will generally take more.

I have to travel in August as my wife works in academia, so we have limited travelling options.

It looks like an Emergency Travel Document may be an option, but there's very little information about what constitutes an 'emergency'. In addition, I would need a specific itinerary and wouldn't be able to find out if I could get an ETD until 5 days before travelling, which means I'd have to risk making bookings that I wouldn't be able to then take up, if the ETD application got refused.

Does anyone have any insight into the criteria that consulates use for determining ETD eligibility?

Alternatively, are there any options for expediting a UK passport renewal while in the US?



Best Answer

This page on passport applications says that the six week turnround is for first time applicants, and that renewals take around three weeks. Assuming your passport is only recently expired you can usually renew it.

I haven't checked if they will send a passport abroad. Yo may need a friendly Brit who will receive your passport and forward it, and you may need to pay some express courier fees both for the new passport and the documents you have to mail.

Or you could visit the UK next year.




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What are reasons for emergency travel?

Here's what we found and how common the problems are:
  • Medical issues on a trip: 27% of travelers.
  • Vehicle breakdowns: 22%
  • Lost belongings: 20%
  • Travel delays: 15%
  • Illness or other emergency back home: 15%
  • Natural disasters: 10%


Can you get an emergency travel document in the UK?

You can apply for an emergency travel document (sometimes called an 'emergency passport') if you're abroad, need to travel and cannot get a passport in time. If you're in the UK you should apply for a passport urgently.

What is considered an emergency for travel?

These situations are defined by Travel State Gov as serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family that require you to travel outside the United States within 72 hours (3 business days). When applying for an emergency passport, you are required to provide a life-or-death emergency reason.

How do I get emergency travel?

Applying for an emergency travel document in the United States of America
  • Step 1: Email the embassy or consulate-general. ...
  • Step 2: Wait for a response and file a police report. ...
  • Step 3: Gather the documents that you need. ...
  • Step 4: Go to your appointment. ...
  • Step 5: Collect your emergency travel document.




  • HOW CAN I OBTAIN EMERGENCY TRAVEL DOCUMENT FROM IMMIGRATION?




    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

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