Canada is known as one of the most popular destinations for traveling, working and studying around the world. Foreigners living in Canada have to hold valid passports. Then, what if you’re a UK citizen in Canada and want to renew UK passport? Is it possible? The answer is definitely “YES”.
There are several reasons that you should renew or replace a British Passport even if you are outside UK. For example, it might have expired. It might be stolen, damaged or lost. What’s more, you have changed your name or appearance since it was issued last time. No matter what the reason is, we would help you. In this passage, we would go through how to do that, covering dealing with old passports, required documents, renewal process, fees, processing time, etc. You can find the solution here even if you need UK children’s passport renewal.
What Do You Do with Old Passport?
An adult’s UK passport is usually last for 10 years upon the date it issues while a child’s for 5 years. The validity period is printed clearly on the photo page. Citizens are required to replace it before it expires in case of failure to take an outbound travel. There comes a question about how you would deal with the old passport.
Did you directly throw it away in the trash bin? That is absolutely not recommended because others would pick it up, resulting in identity theft and fraud.
Did you cut the booklet into pieces? That is also not a good idea because you will lose your travel records.
Actually, there are some other secure methods to dispose of invalid old passports.
Keep it by Yourself
It is a good idea to store the old passport at home. The stamps on the page witness your past experience and carry the precious memory of your trip. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about information leakage. Most importantly, it works when you plan to apply for a new one in the future because you have to submit the old passport with the application.
Send it to HM Passport Office
The Her Majesty’s passport office provides destruction services for those who don’t want to hold an expired passport or renew UK passport. They will thoroughly and safely destroy it usually by melting or burning. For insurance purposes, you can cut off the corner and well pack it before posting it to the HM passport office. The address of HM passport office is:
Customer Service Manager
HM Passport Office
PO Box 767
Southport
PR8 9PW
How to Renew UK Passport?
As you have learned about how to dispose of the old passport, now it is time to apply for a new one. The cross-country application is generally similar to the standard renewal. The whole process could be fulfilled online.
Renew UK Passport Online
● Step 1: Prepare a digital UK passport photo
If you turn to photo booths or studios, please ask for the photo code which is used to retrieve and import the photo to the online passport renewal application.
However, as you are in Canada, it might be troublesome to find a photographer who is clear about the British requirements. Therefore, you can also take the photo at home with a camera or smartphone and then make UK passport photo online.
● Step 2: Pre-answer your current status
Visit the Gov.uk and click the “Start now” button. Answer the questions according to the real situation, such as where you are, date of birth, photo information, etc.
● Step 3: Fill in general details and submit necessary documents
It is mandatory to send the old passport to the authority in order to renew UK passport. The officer might not process your application if there they don’t receive it.
Additional documents are required on the condition that you are planning to request BNO passports/British Protected Person passports, add professionals or titles, change genders/names or ask for validity period longer than 1 year. Just follow the instruction on the website.
● Step 4: Provide additional information
Tell the authority where you live in Canada and how to contact you. In this step, you opt to learn about UK passport renewal progress by e-mail or text messages.
● Step 5: Double check
You have offered all the information in the steps above. In this session, you need to check whether there is anything wrong. If yes, change it. If not, go “Continue”.
● Step 6: Fulfill payment
UK passport renewal in Canada charges different from standard application. That is £94 for an adult passport and £61 for the child’s with an additional £19.86 for express.
You have to pay through a debit or credit card in order to renew UK passport online. Please include card details to further complete the payment.
● Step 7: Agree with Declaration
There pops up a page of privacy policy allowing the HM Passport Office to store and use your information. You need to check the box indicating that you agree with the terms and conditions.
● Step 8: Post the old passport and other necessary documents.
Please well pack your passports or other documents required and send them to the address attached to the online application.
● Step 9: Track the status
You can log on and check the progress at any time with application reference number.
Renew Child Passport in UK
For babies and kids under 16, the UK children’s passport renewal process goes the same as that of adults. The parents must raise an application online on behalf of the children by providing the following documents. Please note that you have to enter the child’s personal information instead of yours while filling in the online application.
● passport photo for kids
● the kid’s old passport
● court orders that indicates parental responsibility or resident rights
Renew Expired Passport
We strongly recommend you renew UK passport as early as 6 months before it expires, but what if it has expired during your stay in Canada? It depends on your plan.
If you continue to stay in Canada, just do as the Renew UK passport online said. It is applicable to passports that will expire in 6 months or that have expired for up to 10 years.
If you plan to travel abroad, the best option is to visit the diplomatic mission and ask for help or apply for emergency travel documents (See the next section). You can find consulate generals in Montreal, Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver and High Commission in Ottawa. Just google them and find the nearest one.
Renew Urgent UK Passport
What if British nationals have to take an emergency international trip in Canada but found the passport invalid? Then you can apply for an emergency travel document, also treated as “urgent passport”. Attention, this is not a replacement for a formal British passport. It only allows you to visit maximum 5 countries.
● Step 1: Prepare a photo of the passport holder
As this emergency travel document is used for cross-border travel, a biometric photo is indispensable which shares the same criteria of passport photos. You can also turn to AiPassportPhotos, the UK passport photo online maker to save time and money in preparing a totally qualified image.
● Step 2: Renew urgent “UK Passport” online
Visit the GOV.UK and click the “Start Now” button. In this page, you would learn about the eligibility and documents of the service. Then, just follow the instructions step by step. Please note that a proof of an urgent trip (ie. flight booking information) is required besides the documents for standard renewal.
● Step 3: Fulfill payment
After answering all questions and submitting documents, you are supposed to pay £100.
● Step 4: Attend an interview
After online application, the authority might request you to visit the nearest embassy, commission or consulate to further explore your purpose of the emergent trip. Please make sure to provide valid contact information and pay attention to the notice.
● Step 5: Wait for the emergency travel document
It generally takes 2 working days to prepare the documents after payment, but it would take longer depending on real circumstances.
Processing Time for UK Passport Renewal
It takes approximately 52-70 days (about 7-10 weeks) to renew UK passport in Canada. Therefore, it is suggested to apply for renewal up to 6 months in advance before it expires. The processing time could be extended if there is wrong information or unqualified photos.
Summary
Having passports losing or expiring in a foreign country could be depressing. If you are a British citizen in Canada, this UK passport renewal guideline would address most of your doubts in renewing a recently expired or soon-to-expire passport for both adults and kids. By learning about how much it costs and how long it takes, you would have a general idea of how to plan your trip. We hope everything goes smoothly.
Erin Lo