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Urgent travel

Urgent travel

There is no expedited processing service for applications lodged overseas. 

We are currently receiving most passports approximately 8-12 weeks after lodgement, although some applications may be processed faster.  Do not make any travel plans that cannot be changed before you receive your passport.  

If you need to travel within the next 3 weeks, please bring printed evidence (eg. airline tickets or a letter from your employer) to your interview. This evidence must be in hard copy form (i.e. not on your phone). 

You may be eligible for an Emergency Passport for an additional fee. An Emergency Passport has four visa pages and the validity will be limited to meet your immediate travel needs. It does not contain a chip and cannot be used to enter or transit the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA). If you are travelling to a country that requires a visa, you should check with the embassy of that country whether a visa can be issued in an Emergency Passport and if there is a minimum validity required.

An Emergency Passport is usually issued within 2-3 working days after all requirements are met.  Some applications, such as child applications without full consent or for children born through surrogacy, take significantly longer.  

Adding an Emergency Passport after interview

If you have not received your new passport and need to travel urgently, you can add an Emergency Passport to your application.  This process is done by emailing your lodging office (Houston applicants - please call).  Please follow the steps below.  

APPLICATION STATUS

WHEN TO CONTACT

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR EMAIL
 
 
Lodged within the
last 6 weeks 

                                                                 

Email 

ONE WEEK/7 DAYS

before departure date
  • Full name and date of birth of person who needs Emergency Passport (Note: you can request this for yourself or your minor child)
  • Date and city where you lodged your application(s)
  • Signed Credit Card Authorisation Form authorising payment of the Emergency Passport fee plus an additional FedEx fee.
  • Evidence of travel (e.g. airline tickets or letter from employer)
 
 
 
Lodged more than
6 weeks ago
 

                                           

 

Step 1:  Email

2-3 WEEKS

before departure date

                                                                                                                                                               
  • Full name and date of birth of person who needs Emergency Passport (Note: you can request this for yourself or your minor child)
  • Date and city where you lodged your application(s)
  • Evidence of travel (e.g. airline tickets or letter from employer)

We will check the status of your passport with Canberra.

Step 2:  Email

ONE WEEK/7 DAYS

before departure date

 If you have still not received your passport, email a signed Credit Card Authorisation Form authorising payment of the Emergency Passport fee plus an additional FedEx fee

RETURNING YOUR EMERGENCY PASSPORT

After you complete your travel on your Emergency Passport, please send it to your lodging office for cancellation.  Your regular passport will then be sent to you via FedEx. 

Note:  If you applied for an Emergency Passport only (without paying for a regular passport on the same application), there is no option to be sent a new passport by mail.  You should make an appointment to lodge a new application for your regular passport.