I applied for a passport renewal 10/3/22 my travelling partner did the same 4 days later. He got his passport after 3 weeks I have just passed 6 weeks and still nothing. I have tried calling numerous times a day for past 2 weeks but regardless of what option I select it eventually (after 30 seconds or so) says they are busy, try again later and just hangs up. There is no way to contact them. I fly in 5 weeks but after seeing various Google reviews of how bad the time taken is recently I can't afford to wait. Numerous cases of 12 weeks plus. Why can't they update the website to a realistic wait time and I would have paid extra to expedite it.. I contacted the Ombudsman (waited 44 mins) this morning and explained the situation. He gave me another number as quick as a flash as though it's a common problem. I tried that number and after a few options I got the same response. The very busy message and the call terminates.
What I want to know is if I lodge an expedited renewal would that work and would I get my first application fee back?
What I want to know is if I lodge an expedited renewal would that work and would I get my first application fee back?