Can I Get a UK Urgent Passport While Living Abroad?
Can I Get a UK Urgent Passport While Living Abroad?
If you live overseas and suddenly need a new passport, you may be wondering if you can use the UK’s urgent passport services such as Fast Track or Premium. Here’s what British citizens abroad need to know in 2025.
Are Urgent Passport Services Available Abroad?
Unfortunately, urgent passport services are only available inside the UK. The 1-Week Fast Track and Same-Day Premium services require you to attend an appointment at a UK Passport Office. If you are abroad, you cannot book or attend these services remotely.
What Are the Options Abroad?
If you’re living outside the UK, you must apply for a passport through the standard overseas application process. This typically takes several weeks, depending on where you live and local processing times. You apply online and submit documents by post or courier to the relevant UK processing centre.
What If You Need to Travel Urgently?
If you are overseas and your passport is lost, stolen, or expired, you may be able to apply for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). This allows you to travel quickly, but only to specific destinations agreed at the time of issue (often back to the UK or to your final destination if transiting).
Once back in the UK, you can then apply for an urgent passport using Fast Track or Premium services.
Steps If You’re Abroad and Need Urgent Travel
- Check if you’re eligible for an Emergency Travel Document at your nearest British embassy or consulate
- Book travel back to the UK if possible
- Once in the UK, apply for a Fast Track or Premium passport
- Bring any supporting documents to speed up the process
Why Services Differ Abroad vs. UK
Urgent services rely on HM Passport Office’s in-person appointments and printing facilities inside the UK. Overseas embassies and consulates cannot issue full UK passports on the spot — only ETDs.
How NextDay Passport Helps Once You’re Back
- We book the earliest urgent appointment in the UK
- We attend on your behalf with your signed consent letter
- We check your documents before submission to avoid delays
- We track delivery so your passport arrives as quickly as possible
Contact us today via WhatsApp: 07443 165140 or visit nextdaypassport.co.uk.
Quick Checklist for Brits Abroad
- No urgent passport services outside the UK
- Overseas renewals must go through standard online applications
- Emergency Travel Documents may help for immediate travel
- Once back in the UK, you can use Fast Track or Premium
FAQs
Can I courier my documents to the UK for urgent processing?
No — urgent services require you (or an authorised representative) to attend a UK Passport Office appointment in person.
Can I apply for Fast Track while abroad?
No — you can only book and attend these appointments from inside the UK.
Do embassies issue full passports?
No — they can issue Emergency Travel Documents, but not full passports. Full replacements must be processed by HM Passport Office in the UK.
Living abroad but need a UK passport urgently? The fastest way is often to apply for an Emergency Travel Document to return to the UK, then use Fast Track or Premium services. For help once you’re back, message us on WhatsApp: 07443 165140 or visit nextdaypassport.co.uk.