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Closed Restore Passport Services at UK Embassies and End Centralised Processing

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We call on the UK Government to reinstate full passport issuing and renewal services at British embassies and consulates abroad, ending the current system where all overseas applications are centralised through HM Passport Office in the UK.

Since April 2011, British citizens abroad have faced severe delays, excessive bureaucracy, and prolonged periods without valid travel documents because embassies are no longer authorised to process and issue passports. It is common for overseas applicants to wait 8–16 weeks—or longer.

We urge the Government to:
Authorise British embassies and consulates to issue and renew passports directly.
Reduce processing times for citizens abroad to match or exceed in-country service levels.

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