How to make sure you get your passport in time for your overseas trip
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Loading... - David Green
- 20 Apr 2022
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After more than two years of waiting to travel overseas, you don’t want to be tripped up at the last-minute by the small detail of not having a passport.
Since the Government’s border reopening announcement in February, Kiwis have been facing long waits to get passports or have expired passports renewed.
Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs [DIA] has said the reason for the delays are because of the “sharp increase” in demand with borders reopening, combined with staff absences due to the Omicron outbreak.
“We anticipate an improvement in the delivery of services as staffing levels return to normal in the coming weeks as the Omicron peak passes,” DIA manager service advice and support Kiri O’Hagan said.
But if you have a trip coming up soon and need a new passport, here are some things to keep in mind to ensure you get it in time.
How long it will actually take
The passports website says the approximate timeframe to process a standard passport application is currently 22 working days, up from the usual 10 working days.
The key word here is working days – 22 working days means you’ll actually be waiting for 32 calendar days to have your passport processed (or even longer if there are any public holidays in the mix).
But then you also need to factor in extra time for delivery. The DIA says they use a “targeted overnight delivery”, but this can take up to five days to reach a destination.
So, with the current wait times, at a minimum you’ll need to have applied for your passport 37 days in advance of your trip.
Last-minute pick-ups
If you thought you’d allowed enough time to get your new passport but it’s just a few days out from your trip and it still hasn’t arrived, you may be able to arrange to pick up your passport.
The DIA says passports can be collected from their Wellington, Auckland or Christchurch offices at no additional cost if there is not enough time for passports to be received by courier.
But you’ll want to get in touch with the DIA sooner rather than later to arrange this. The DIA says people should call the passport office on 0800 22 50 50 if they have questions, but given the surge in enquiries, there are “significant wait times” for getting through to their contact centre. Read More...
