Immigration Corner | How can I get a British passport urgently?

Dear Mr Bassie,

I would like to know how I can get a British passport urgently. I hope you can point me in the right direction.

– F.K.

Dear F.K.,

Persons can pay to get a passport urgently if they believe that the standard service will take too long. They will be able to use an online service to apply, pay and book an appointment at a passport office and the applicant will be able to book an appointment up to three weeks in advance. Persons should be aware that Passport office appointments usually last up to 10 minutes.

Persons should call the Passport Advice line if they need to travel urgently for medical treatment, on government business, or because a friend or family member is seriously ill or has died,

WAYS TO APPLY

There are two ways to apply for an urgent passport.

1-day premium

Persons may apply for a “1 Day premium” and the earliest persons can get an appointment is two days after applying.

Persons will need to hand in their old passport at their appointment. The new passport will be ready for collection from the passport office four hours after the appointment has been completed.

Please be aware that persons may only use this service to renew an adult passport and it costs £222 (or £235 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport).

1-week fast track

With respect to the “1-week fast track “ the earliest persons can get an appointment is the next day after applying. Please note that a new passport will be delivered to them by courier one week after the appointment.

It should be noted that persons can also use this service to do the following:

• renew a passport

• change personal details on the passport (for example their name, place of birth or gender)

• replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport

• get a child passport

Further, it should be noted that it costs:

• £178 for an adult passport (or £191 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport)

• £145 for a child passport (or £158 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport)

APPLY ONLINE

Please note that if applying online, persons will be asked some questions in order to work out the services for which they are eligible. Those persons may then book an appointment, apply and pay.

When applying online, persons will need to have on hand the old passport (if they have one); a digital photo of themselves; and a credit or debit card for payment.

Good luck.

John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a supreme court appointed mediator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator, the past global president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (UK). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com