Really need some help
British passport issues.
I have three weeks to get a new British passport so I can leave Vietnam and re-enter to renew my visa. Does anyone have any idea of a way to sort this out or get around it in order to renew my passport? The embassy was so unhelpful and I really have No idea what to do.
After finally getting my passport back from the visa extension, I went to the embassy. Twice now they have effectively told me to go away, the second citing that I needed an appointment (which I don't think you do unless it's for notary stuff etc). I tried to make an appointment over the phone and was once again told basically to go away and that it's a passport issue. I was transferred over to the passport number who basically told me I should go home.
Can you get a Vietnamese visa on an emergency passport?
There was a guy I recall about a guy works for APKNite company who managed to cross into Laos and back with a passport with less than 6 months on it - should I risk that?
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
This is not a good forum for that type of question .
I’d try tripadvisor.com and go to the Vietnam forum to ask .
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7464 posts
So are you a U.K. citizen and trying to work with a dismissive British embassy in Vietnam? I had a passport situation in London, and with a 3-day weekend holiday coming up, was able to walk into the USA embassy in London, apply for a replacement passport, go down the street to a chemist for passport photos, go back in to the embassy, and leave with a new passport, all in the same day. Maybe not similar, or something possible for you for some reason, and you unfortunately keep getting the same insensitive response from several people, so far.. If you can get the right person who actually wants to accommodate a citizen from your country, maybe another call (or in-person visit ?), stressing your critical time limits, will get someone who will actually provide professional service to a taxpayer. Best of luck and I hope you can get satisfactory response for what would seem to be a reasonable request, and not as if you want it done in just the next 30 minutes!
Posted by
Portsmouth
5301 posts
I'd be more persistent and refuse to take no for an answer. It's not an unreasonable request and it's something that an embassy is there to do. If you're having no luck with the person you're dealing with then insist on speaking with another ad nauseum.
I have to question why you have insufficient time left on your passport. I'm hoping that you've simply extended your visit beyond your original plans rather than travel without checking that your passport is sufficiently valid for the period. Perhaps there is a reason for the embassy response.
Posted by
Paris
9693 posts
I would guess if the Embassy says you need an appointment, you need an appointment.
Anyway there’s nothing anyone on this Forum can do to assist. Only Her Majesty’s Government, if you deign to follow their instructions.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
An Emergency passport is just that, it is single use "get you home" option. You could use it to fly home, get an over-the-counter passport from the passport office in London (costs more), add visa and fly back.
That would be an expensive and time-consuming option.
Renewing a UK passport outside the UK is bad, I have done it.
It is no longer done by the embassy. Other countries renew passports over-the-counter in embassies, the UK does not, the embassy is not interested.
You have to apply online (or download the paper forms online and print them out), then send your passport off by post to the UK. It costs more than renewal in the UK, and takes longer. This means you are passport-less and "grounded" while it is being renewed. And may mean you are breaking local law by not having your passport on you.
And, there is very little information available.
UK government website to renew your passport from outside the UK: https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports
Info about Vietnam here: https://www.passport.service.gov.uk/overseas/information/vietnam/renew/adult
From the website: "Your application will take at least 6 weeks from when it’s received by Her Majesty’s Passport Office in the UK."
Your options are:
1) Apply online early. Months before it runs out.
2) Go back to the UK and renew there.
The UK is really bad about supporting citizens living outside the UK. The government basically doesn't care. UK citizens in Europe weren't even allowed to vote in the Brexit referendum, even though Brexit will affect us even more than UK residents.
Posted by
Portsmouth
5301 posts
Ok, I will defer to Chris' more informed opinion. I guess I'd be standing around for a long time before evetually being removed by security!
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11240 posts
Can you get a Vietnamese visa on an emergency passport?
That is a question for the Vietnam authorities. Presuppose you can get an 'emergency' passport.
I was transferred over to the passport number who basically told me I should go home.
Seems Chris F and UK passport personnel are on the same page.
Chris F:
Your options are:
1) Apply online early. Months before it runs out.
2) Go back to the UK and renew there.
There was a guy I recall about a guy works for APKNite company who managed to cross into Laos and back with a passport with less than 6 months on it - should I risk that?
How intimately acquainted do you want to become with prison chow? Be sure to factor that in when making a decision of 'should I risk that?'