ahmetdouas

Yes I went for a passport wallet as soon as I got the new passport, as the old one was admittedly a disgrace. 1 year after still looking very good!

techie

Sure -- it's a balance of deciding whether it will have greater wear and tear and likeliness of damage -- but there are passport wallets that allow you to either tuck in just the rear cover or slide the whole thing into a special pocket in the wallet.

Nikko5

Submitted my passport application at Newport earlier this morning. Was told they couldn't make any promises but I should come back in 4 hours and they will let me know. On their advice I did have to list it as "lost" on the form even though I know exactly where my old passport is!

Without wishing to tempt fate, should I successfully be issued with a new passport, in terms of the ESTA application and GE interview process, can I edit the existing ones with the new passport number or do I have to begin both processes again from scratch?

father_ted

I can't speak for GE, but ESTA is linked to a passport - new passport means new ESTA.

GUWonder

GE is linked to passport too. New passport for a GE member means the GE member needs to get the new passport registered with CBP; and new passport for US VWP user means applying for a new ESTA to be affiliated with the new passport.

For a GE applicant with conditional approval awaiting final approval with "the interview", the situation is different but it's worked before at least for some US citizens. Can't speak to what CBP would do for those in such situations who are just UK citizens.

feival

And whatever happens apply for the ESTA immediately. A friend of mine couldn't fly to Mexico a while back because the flight transmitted in Miami, he didn't have an ESTA and quite incredibly, the ESTA system was down globally for 36 hours!!!!

Silver Fox

We had another thread on this and if you log into your GOES profile you can change your passport details in there if it is classed as a renewal. This link might provide more clarity on the issue for you.

PS. I hope you get the passport ! Good luck.

GUWonder

It doesn't sound like it's a renewal. But at least US passport holders in such non-renewal situations can update the passport info at "the interview" even if the passport used to apply for GE on GOES has been cancelled between conditional approval and final approval (which is contingent upon successful completion of "the interview") for the first time applicant for GE.

Nikko5

Great news, my brand new passport was ready to collect at Newport 4 hours after the original submission this morning. I did a new ESTA application (with new passport number) on my phone from the passport centre car park & 3 hours later it has just changed from pending to approved!

Thanks to all for the advice here (what an invaluable resource FT is!) The only advice I can offer in return is:

1) to confirm that the UK passport centres do indeed seem to have more discretion than their unhelpful call centre would lead you to believe, but you will have to tell a white lie to be able to book a same day appointment on their online booking system.

2) If you have even the most minor of blemishes on your passport, particularly on the laminate page, consider getting it replaced at your leisure. Especially if flying back into small regional airports in the UK where I guess the border agents don't see much "excitement" !!

One final question about my forthcoming GE interview (not until 10th March, so less time pressure...) Is the suggested advice to not touch anything on the online application & simply show up at the interview with my new passport, a photocopy of my original passport & the UKBF letter/receipt confirming damage/confiscation?

techie

Congrats on getting a new one so quickly, though not without a good deal of stress.

As for your question, that seems like the best way to do it. That way they can update their system to reflect your new passport there and then.

glg

GE is good for 5 years regardless of passport, but it's tied to your current passport. I know if you get a new passport, you have to go into a CBP/GE office for them to update your records. I suspect you'll be just fine and they'll just update their records, especially with the documentation you have about the old one being damaged and new one in hand.

StSebastian

I'm on a US passport, but when I had my prior GE-approved passport replaced I only had to log into the GOES website and put in the new passport number - no in-person visit required. I would assume it's the same for a UK passport but there may be variances.

Jimmie76

I had a passport that had never to the best of my knowledge ever worked and the US requirements for having a biometric chip (I assumed working) got me worried. So I called up and had a chat with the bloke on the phone line who suggested that I'd have to wait a month for the new passport after damage. I said that I had travel booked and couldn't wait a month. He said I could book an appointment and pay the 1day premium fee and should be able to get it quicker.

When at the passport office in London I hit an issue quite quickly. Initially they said the passport had to be sent to their specialist team to be checked to see what the issue was with the chip. They said that if the damage was (and I said I didn't ever remember it working) proven to be caused by my mishandling then they wouldn't issue a new one gratis. They said that if it was found to be a defective chip or antenna causing the issue then I wouldn't be charged. I pointed out at this stage that I had already coughed up for the one day premium full fat passport so I didn't care how it was damaged. At that point they said oh okay in that case we just need to check that it's a valid genuine passport and that the supporting documents/pictures were okay. Then they gave me a pick up time ~4hrs later and said bon voyage.

Best advice I can give is to have all the supporting documents and passport photos with you when you go. Hopefully you'll walk off with a new passport in 4hrs.

chistery

You can update your passport information in your GOES account. There is no need to go to an office.

Calchas

^ ^ ^ Thank you for posting your experiences.

I too have found the passport telephone line to be more of an obstacle than a help.