The option for urgent passport processing is still available, as a three-day expedited service for pressing travel, but the Potts say they are unhappy to pay for Te Mata Uruwhenua’s delay.
“[We] can’t really afford this trip but my partner’s parents have assisted with the tickets which made it hard to say no,” he told the Herald. “This potential extra cost is going to mean basically half of our money put aside for costs during the trip is going to be swallowed up before we even get on the plane.”
At $412 an urgent adult passport costs double a regular application - and more than double for an urgent child’s passport at $312.
Passport processing working weekends to clear backlog
The DIA’s passport office says they have put on extra capacity to clear the processing backlog caused by the system update.
“Reducing wait times is a priority for the department,” said Maria Robertson, DCE service delivery and operations, adding that the gap between processing applications is narrowing.
Staff were “running weekend and overtime shifts to increase processing capacity” to clear what was described as a short-term backlog.
Last month the department issued a warning via the application website for travellers to allow at least 10 weeks for a new passport to arrive, or consider using the “urgent” processing service.
“At present 52 per cent of passports are issued within 15 working days. For some, that wait is several weeks,” said Robertson.
An application progress checker is available via the website as well as details on flagging application status as “urgent”.
Customers with a current application who have an urgent need to travel should contact the DIA, said Robertson.
Advice to travellers waiting on delayed passports
Although just over half of passports are being dispatched in under three weeks, the DIA warns processing may currently take around 10 weeks.
However the advice to customers applying to passports remains the same:
Travellers needing a new passport should give as much time as possible ahead of travel, and allow for delivery and wait times given via the application web portal.
One of the most common factors delaying applications are passport photos. Applicants are advised to read the full guidance on pictures, as unsuitable photos will extend processing times.
Another common factor for delay is waiting on applicants to submit additional information. Travellers waiting on passports should check back on passport applications regularly, and respond promptly to requests from the DIA.
There are over 9000 passport applications awaiting further information from the customer, says the DIA.
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