Thread: British passport renewal in Thailand

Well the time has come and from earlier this month the British embassy in Bangkok no longer does passport renewals, they will re issue/renew lost/stolen or damaged passports though, it is now a 4 week turn around to get your new passport where as it used to be 10 days and has to be done in Hong Kong, the fun bit is of course that you have to pay by credit card, either master card or visa, no they don't accept debit cards, or you can pay by International Bankers Draft which must be made out in Hong Kong Dollars, makes it all that bit more exciting I suppose, as my passport is nearly full I shall probably just go to Hong Kong although they say you may have to queue for up to 2 hours to get into the British Consulate-General and to go through the security screening area. In addition, you may have to wait up to 3 hours to see a passport officer.

Saying that my mate was there a couple of months ago to get a passport renewal for his daughter and there was no queue.

From the Hong Kong Consulate.

We recommend that you send your passport application to us by post. This will help you avoid the queue to see a Passport Officer. In busy periods, this waiting time can be up to two hours, or longer.

We also recommend that you arrange for your new passport to be sent to you by post (in Hong Kong, we use the Hong Kong Post registered service). We will send you your new passport as soon as it is ready.

Did you know that you can renew your passport 9 months before it is due to expire? Any remaining validity on your old passport will be added to your new passport, up to a maximum 9 months. (Thus adult renewals can be valid for 10 years 9 months, and child renewals can be valid for 5 years 9 months).

What to submit

To apply for a UK passport in Hong Kong you must submit:

• your completed passport form
• your 2 identical passport photographs
• your current passport with a photocopy of the bio-data page
• for first time applications we require your original supporting documents
• your original Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card with a photocopy (for BN(O) passport applications only)
• the correct passport fees in Hong Kong Dollars
• the correct courier fees in Hong Kong Dollars (if you wish your new passport to be returned to you by courier)

Applying by post


Completed applications and relevant supporting documents should be sent to:
The Passport Section
British Consulate-General
1 Supreme Court Road
Hong Kong
We recommend that you send the application by registered courier service such as Hong Kong Post, United Parcel Service (UPS), DHL or Fedex.
If you are sending your passport application by post, you must pay the exact passport fee(s) and courier fee (if applicable) by credit card (download a credit card authorisation form), or by Cashier's Order from any registered Hong Kong bank made payable to: British Consulate-General Hong Kong only. Please do not send payment by cash in the post. The British Consulate-General cannot be held responsible for any cash or packages being lost in the post.

Please note however, you may be called for an interview if you fall under any of these categories:

• Your passport expired more than 5 years ago,
• You wish to amend any personal details, such as your name, except on marriage,
• You are applying for your first British passport (and are over the age of 16),
• Your previous passport has been lost or stolen.

Special note for Macao residents: we are now able to accept postal applications from Macao residents. Please click here for details of all passport and courier fees in pound sterling and in Hong Kong dollars. Please note that for the return courier fee, Macao is in Zone 1.

Applying in person

Please note that during the summer period (June to September), demand for public services (this includes passport, consular and visa services), increases dramatically. If you choose to apply for your passport in person during this period, you may have to queue for up to 2 hours to get into the British Consulate-General and to go through the security screening area. In addition, you may have to wait up to 3 hours to see a passport officer. We strongly recommend that you apply by post during this very busy period.
If you still prefer to apply in person, our address is:
The British Consulate-General
1 Supreme Court Road
Hong Kong

The entrance to the Passport Section is located on Justice Drive. Please also see How to find us.

Opening hours for passport applications and collections:
08.30–13.30, Monday to Friday, excluding holidays

Please note that all visitors to the British Consulate-General are security screened and asked to provide proof of identity. Cameras and mobile phones are not permitted within the building (they may be left with the security guards at the entrance on Justice Drive). The use of lap-tops is not permitted in the building. We apologise to customers for any inconvenience this may cause. We regret that there is no on-site parking available.
Passport services at our office


At our office in Hong Kong you can:

• collect passport application forms
• collect the LS01 form to report your passport lost or stolen
• pay your passport fee in person by credit card, EPS, or by Cashier's Order from any registered Hong Kong bank made payable to: British Consulate-General Hong Kong.
• submit your passport application form in person.

Processing your passport application


For customers renewing a passport: we aim to return your new passport within 4 weeks. This time frame does not take into account any delays which may occur with local post or courier services. Applications can also take longer during busy times of the year.

If you are applying for a passport for the first time (this includes customers who are changing their name other than by marriage or replacing old blue books, or for lost or stolen passports), you should allow at least 6 weeks for processing.

Our staff will not be able to process your application or there may be a delay issuing your passport if:

• you have used the wrong form or completed it incorrectly
• you do not provide the correct fee
• you do not include the correct postal or courier charge
• your photographs do not meet the required standards

Customers should not make any travel arrangements until their new passport is received, as the British Consulate-General cannot be held responsible for costs incurred as a result of disrupted travel plans.
Enquiries

All passport enquiries are handled by Careline Services Limited through their Passport Information Helpline. If you have a passport enquiry, which cannot be answered through the information on our passport web page, please contact Careline.

Refunds

No refunds will be issued for unsuccessful or fraudulent passport applications, or for any application which is withdrawn before it is completed.
Interview

From May 2007 the UK Identity Passport Service (IPS) introduced compulsory interviews for all first time adult applicants in the UK. This was designed to help stop fraudulent passport applications by improving the integrity and security of British passports. Please go to our Passport interviews page for more information.
Urgent Travel

A large number of our applicants need to travel quickly. In fairness to all our customers, applications are dealt with in the order in which they are received. However, we accept and understand that in an emergency for example after sudden death or unexpected illness in the family, we will try to help where we can. Please note that a business journey or holiday does not constitute an emergency.
In such circumstances, if we are unable to provide you with a full passport in time and you are travelling back to the UK or on to certain Commonwealth and EU countries (approval permitting), we can issue an Emergency Passport. This allows the holder a one-way journey to his or her destination where a replacement passport can be obtained in slower time at the nearest British passport issuing office.




From the British Embassy in Bangkok.


Changes to passport service in Bangkok

From 9 August onwards, we will not be accepting applications to renew British Passports at this Embassy.

In line with other British Embassies across Asia these applications will be processed by our Regional Processing Centre in Hong Kong. This will not affect the present four week turn-around time expected.

If you are applying for a British Passport for the first time, or your passport is lost/stolen or damaged (and are not renewing your present passport), we will continue to accept your applications at this Embassy.

Further information will be available via this website in the coming weeks. In the meantime further information about changes to our overseas passport service can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.
Process for passports is changing

What has changed?

Passports for British Nationals are no longer processed in Bangkok. They are processed and printed centrally in our Regional Passport Processing Centre in Hong Kong.
Why is this happening?

These changes are part of a global initiative to streamline the overseas passport operation; to reduce administration costs while improving security and maintaining a high quality of customer service.
How long will it take?

For customers renewing a passport: you should allow four weeks from when you send us your application. This time frame does not take into account any delays which may occur with local post or courier services. Applications can also take longer during busy times of the year.

If you are applying for a passport for the first time, you should allow at least six weeks from when you send us your application. (This includes customers who are changing their name other than by marriage or replacing old blue books, lost or stolen passports).
Should you need to travel urgently the British Embassy will still be able to issue a travel document for emergency purposes.
Does it work?

From a recent customer surveys in the Nordic network we have received the following feedback:
Very user friendly, No problems very smooth, Quicker than anticipated.
In parts of the world where this service has been introduced, it has been a great success. Washington is producing passports for the whole of the Americas and Wellington covers all of Australasia with excellent results. Over 6000 passports produced per month with 90% of them in a 10 day period.
Overall Cost

If you apply for a British passport overseas you can expect to pay:
• for your passport (the fee is the same worldwide).
• The cost of sending your application to us (as you would in the UK)
• For the secure return of your passport and documents.