Urgent: Need advice/help with Passport!

Author: cfz     01 6th, 2009 in xn--9ou.com     edit

  • Sorry if I did not do an exhaustive search but I did look at threads concerning passport and did not find them relevant to my case so I am posting a new thread.

    Some of you pointed me to the UA deal to Australia on toureast site and I finally decided in favour of that over AC. In the last week of September I realized my Canadian passport had expired and I am currently working in Chicago on a US visa. I couriered the application Sept 27th, a colleague of mine here in Chicago told me she got hers in two weeks and that was some reassurance. But today on Oct 12th I noticed that they had not yet charged my CC for the passport fee so I got concerned as I am/was (?) planning to leave next Thursday, Oct 20th flying out on Wednesday night to Montreal to catch the UA flight.

    I called the Passport office and after a long wait the person who answered the phone (he was the least helpful I have come across in recent times) said that I did not even exist in the computer yet saying that "they" must be behind in their mail. He proceeded to inform that the normal processing time is 6-8 weeks, it is impossible for anyone to get it in two weeks, etc. I explained my dilemma and asked if there is any rush service fee option and he said "No".

    Perhaps someone may have faced a similar situation and what I am wondering:

    1) Would calling the Candian embassy in Chicago tomorrow of any help?
    2) Is there any other alternative/advice/suggestion?

    My original expired passport and citizenship certificate etc. I have already mailed so I am really stuck - I cannot even apply in person in Canada as I am without identity right now. Besides the Express option is only for emergency reasons and has to be done in person in Canada.

    The only good thing is I had not booked the ticket yet (which I was planning to do today after my phone call to Passport Canada hoping to hear a positive response) and due to work reasons not in a position to change my week long vacation plan that I had informed my boss about - I'll just have to camp out in Illinois suburbs for my vacation!

    Please help.


  • Here is something from my sister, who applied as a non-resident a year ago: (not sure if you are a non-resident or not)

    "Call, call and call the Passport office - did they apply as a resident of Canada...then call the office they sent the passport to...directly.

    If they applied as a nonresident...there is only one number...start calling at 8am EST and don't stop. It takes over an hour....most days...to get through. (you can find the number on the internet).

    I was told I wasn't "in the system" one day but the next day told that I had been in the system for a week...so sometimes the "not in a system" reason could be an excuse not to look.

    There's actually a physical location that a good agent can check for the mail...once I got hold of someone helpful they turned my passport around in one day and couriered out (their idea of "express" for some extra money - happily paid).

    Work the phones...at one point I was on hold with one line and called another line waiting to be put through."

    Good Luck.

    Lorna


  • Call Passport Canada again in the morning. There is indeed a fee for expedited service. If you do not get any satisfaction, try to speak to the Ombudsman's office -- contact details are on the Passport Canada website. Also -- don't forget about the electronic visa required for travel to Aus. You will need to give your passport number to the travel agent.
    And -- you should be able to return to Canada with a drivers licence (for identity) and whatever other ID you have in your wallet (or perhaps a photocopy of your passport) to show citizenship. Expect hassles, but you should be able to get back in.
    Passport Canada should be able to transfer your file electronically to Montreal (Complexe Guy-Favreau) or Laval for printing.
    You can always try the consulate in Chicago, but as a last resort.
    --
    13F


  • There is a place on the web to check the status of your application:

    https://www.pptc.gc.ca/passport_office/contact/status_request_e.asp

    but a rather disturbing byproduct of this is:

    "Important note: We highly recommend that you use this service only when the normal processing time has been exceeded. Requesting information about the status of your passport or travel document application during the normal processing time could result in a delay. "


  • I'm sorry I can't help you directly, but just wanted to let you know that in 2003 I had my new passport "expedited" and received it within two weeks (I had to pay a higher fee (the exact amount has escaped my mind) to get it "expedited". I don't know if the rules have changed since though. The only advice I can offer is to call the office back one more time and see if you can get another "more helpful" agent or one who is up-to-date with the rules.


  • You can get it next day if you show up in person at a passport office with proper documentation--note they say 4 weeks for US applications so you may be OK:

    http://www.pptc.gc.ca/passports/get_process_times_e.asp

    "Processing times
    Read carefully the instructions included with the application form to ensure that all required information and documentation are provided.

    The processing time for properly completed applications is :

    Passports
    Canada
    Turnaround Details
    By mail 4 weeks
    (20 working days) This does not include mailing time.
    In person at a Passport Canada office 2 weeks
    (10 working days) This does not include the day the application is submitted.
    At a participating post office 3 weeks
    (15 working days) This does not include mailing time.
    At a participating Service Canada Centre 4 weeks
    (20 working days) This does not include mailing time.

    United States
    Turnaround Details
    By mail 4 weeks
    (20 working days) Passports are returned to applicants by private courier service (overnight) from Passport Canada in Gatineau, Canada.

    Other Countries
    Turnaround Details
    Outside Canada and United States varies The processing time for properly completed applications varies from country to country and depends on the time of year.

    Passports - urgent applications
    Note: Urgent or express services are available for emergency or compassionate reasons on a case-by-case basis. These services are available only for those applicants who can apply in person at a Passport Canada office and who provide proof to justify the urgency.

    Service Turnaround Fee
    Urgent next working day $70 + passport fee
    Express 2 to 9 working days after receiving application $30 + passport fee


  • agree with Lornag--get on the phone with the website info in front of you. Explain your situation and see if you can expedite without going to a passport office.


  • Go to the consulate in Chicago with your passport office or registered mail receipt and your ticket and hope like hell they will give you a temporary travel document. Take two passport photos with you and your birth certificate or copy thereof with you as well. Bonne chance

    you might want to call them first and explain your situation.


  • That's probably a threat that if they dig through the pile and find your application, but it's not an emergency, they put it back on the bottom.

    =aw


  • Thanks for all your help, advice, suggestions which I took and here are the results:

    Called the consulate in Chicago this morning. Explained the situation to the lady who answered the phone, she transfered me to someone (seemed like he was high up). The person listened to me, asked me some stern questions (rightfully so!) like, "Why did I wait so long to apply for getting a new passport". I said "my fault, sorry". He said "let me see what I can do".

    Then I go into meetings at the office. When I come back I have two messages from 'Mr. Brown' on my voice mail. First one was to call him back and the second an hour later is to "urgently call me back".

    So I call Mr. Brown. He advises me that there is problem with my pictures. Apparently they did not like me smiling even a little bit. I need to have a straight face, and by the way, also there is shadow in the picture which I found difficult to digest as it was taken from a professional studio not Walgreens! Mr. Brown advises that I need to courier it right away or tomorrow morning ATTN: MR. so & so with this file reference no. He says, "I'll be out till Oct 20th starting tomorrow, so you need to call my secy. Ms. so&so, she'll ensure that your envelope with the tracking number is opened as soon as they receive it, otherwise it would not be opened for days - they receive thousands of applications each day.". I thank Mr. Brown, rush to take new photos with a wooden face taken at a place that was a specialist in "International" passport photos but by the time I come back to office it is 6 pm and my guarator (who works in our law dept. and is a notary public) has gone for the day.

    So I will get the picture signed from her tomorrow and then courier to the ATTN of the person I was told. They would receive it Monday and that is it. I am not sure if they will have it out the next day or even the same day. That puts me in Tuesday and Wednesday. Now comes the problem with toureast. Apparently, I will see the flights out of YYZ or YUL to SYD for Thursday but will not be able to book as it asks for a Canadian billing address (should not be a problem as I can alsways have a Cdn address added on to AMEX) but it seems like their only method of delivery is paper tickets with a $15 courier fee. I did speak to one of their agents (looked like he was from Expedia.ca) and he wasn't able to help so he suggested calling Tour East Toronto desk.

    With such a tight window seems like I'll just have to give this up this time around - I am not allowed to change my vacation plans for work reasons - so I may just travel around here or if I get my passport find a last minute deal to Europe.

    But thanks for all the advice - it did seem to work!


  • I would go to the Chicago consulate, explain that your passport has been "lost"
    at the processing centre, and explain that you need a new one within a few days.
    This should qualify as an emergency situation, and get one issued pronto.

    BTW, about 15 years ago, my passport was stolen in Frankfurt. I went to
    the canadian embassy in Bonn the next day, and they issued a new one within
    4 hours.


  • Call your MP's office and get them to help. They see this all the time. They can't issue passports themselves but they sure know how to get it done. And they need your vote.







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