Beware of DHL

[gates]

DHL in all there wisdom took my passport and posted it from the post office in Nicosia witch then handed it over in the UK to the Royal Mail. Now it has been sitting in the post office there for 2 weeks not delivered to the passport office to be signed for. The passport office is saying what can they do. So all this advertising how good and fast they are is lies. Me and the passport office is at a loss. So if you wish to get fast reliable service I should try and source another way. Nightmare as it could start costing me £30 a day soon

[dippersgirl]

Well we used them from the Famagusta office twice - 2019 and 2020!!
It was perfect!!

[transit]

I recently changed my passport and sent it with DHL in the south. I was pleasantly surprised when the whole process took only 2 weeks. I received my new passport and old one so quickly.

[sausage and pash]

But any ideas how we can help gates?

[sammydavis]

Perhaps I missing something but I thought you could renew passports on line?

[Groucho]

Perhaps I missing something but I thought you could renew passports on line?

not unless you are prepared to lie about where you live...

[gates]

You still have to send the old one. They won’t do it until they get it

[laptawrinkly]

I'd suggest making a formal complaint to DHL UK direct as the first action if not done already.

All overseas passport applicants start the process online; as gates says, you do have to return the old one. The overseas passport fee includes return courier (you get two packages, the old cancelled one and the new passport).

Yes you have the option of crossing to the south to send via DHL or similar, or even the post office, either express or trackable. However with the post office in the south now we are 3rd country nationals, you do have to complete an form online declaring what it is with your send information, all for customs I assume. The nearest post office to Metehan vehicle crossing is Engomi Post Office. They seem used to dealing with Brits from the north, and I know some that rent PO boxes there.

Of course if you are physically in the UK at any time you can make an application there. Be warned if HMPO think you have made such an application while not in the UK, the can cancel it and keep your money! Similarly if you do this and have it sent to a relative in the UK, who then posts it out to you here and it goes missing. In my humble view, not worth the risk pretending to be in the UK when you are not - you are not saving much by doing so either.