ILR(M) with expired Filipino passport (post covid)

Hi all,

I know there has been a thread on this topic before where the consensus is just go to the embassy and get it renewed. Sadly, post the start of covid it isn't that simple any more. You can't just turn up now, you need an appointment and well, erm their website seems to be a bit broken. Or maybe it is just me!

We are preparing stuff ahead of submitting my wife's ILR application when her 2nd FLR(M) expires at the end of December. She's just informed me her passport has expired. I suppose that would actually make sense as she got it before she arrived here in July 2016 and they were only valid for 5 years back then. As we hadn't used it in ages it hadn't figured in our minds. Well now we need it I guess but we obviously can't use it! We've both tried repeatedly to log in to the Philippine Embassy website in London to book an appointment but it won't let us even log in. That's trying with registering with my email address and hers too. Every time we submit registration the password doesn't get accepted and then we have to change it. Then the account gets locked and we need to wait 8 hours before trying again before going round and round again in this never ending circle! It's getting beyond frustrating! There doesn't seem any obvious way to contact anyone either to get this resolved so we can at least try to get it renewed! Until we can get logged in there's no way to even see when there might be any appointments available,

Has anybody got any contacts there or any up to date info on what we can do? Getting just a bit stressed now!

Thanks
John and Liselle

Try this email address -

embassy@philemb.co.uk

We got a very helpful response after trying several 'dead' addresses on the Embassy website. They might be able to help with your log in issues as well as advising what to do regarding the expired passport. If it were still valid, they are offering 1-year extensions by post - no need to book/attend appointments at the Embassy.

There is a specific section on the PE website -

https://londonpe.dfa.gov.ph/consular-matters/passport#new_adult

- to apply for a passport if the current one has expired LESS THAN 2 YEARS...

the problem with that link is you need a confirmed appointment and their website won't let us log in to even see what appointments may be available! We have, however, tried sending an email to that email addy you supplied and will update on any replies received. Thanks

Can’t you book it here?

right at the bottom?


https://londonpe.dfa.gov.ph/consular-matters/book-appointment/book-an-appointment

you need to log in to book any appointment and that is where we are having problems - it won't allow either of us to log in!

Clearly states if you have not logged in before choose new user

Just a thought -

Create a new GMail or Outlook joint email address, that you can both access, then re-register on the PE website etc...?

We have tried that many times and with many different email addresses now. Verification fails every single time. We have now reported it to custrelatejvac@vfsglobal.com as there definitely seems to be something broken with the website

That's odd... I am logged in to the PE website, with no problem, as we 'speak'!
Hope you can get the issue sorted.

I just created a new account and logged in
So I would say something your end
Try a different browser like edge or Firefox

Not wishing to 'teach Grandma to suck eggs' but are you trying to log in to the PE website with your existing credentials or the vfsglobal website?

We've tried setting up as a new user on the PE website with new email addresses. That link, the custrelatejvac one is the one they tell you to use if you have log-in difficulties. Don't want you to think we are getting confused here lol

Anyway, I think we've FINALLY got in there. Must have been a problem with their site earlier when we were trying that seems to be fixed now

If can go to Edinburgh and only want to renew then the link above may be of some use. Need to set up new login as embassey one doesn't work.

Advertised on embassey Facebook webpage and looks like expanding the simple renewals to other sites in UK. Expect to see one in Belfast and Cardiff in near future as locations are listed but can't select.

Supposed to be appointment next week.

Forgot to add extra £45 fee but considering next to impossible to get appointment at London embassey may be worth it.

Funnily enough, that's exactly what we ended up doing earlier. Once we got logged in it gave us the choice of appointments in Edinburgh, Cardiff or Belfast. No option to choose London but from what I understand they are snowed under as that is where everyone usually goes. From our location there's not much difference in distance between Edinburgh and Cardiff so we booked a hotel in Edinburgh for Sunday night and submit the form and biometrics on Monday 25th, basically next working day. Can't argue with that! it's going to take about 8 weeks so will be tight but at least it's all looking back on track after all the stress first thing this morning!

Just a quick heads up for anyone needing to do the same - there are LOADS of roadworks going on in that general area of Edinburgh so allow a little bit extra time to get there. The good news is there are 3 parking bays right outside it reserved for people using the VFS office services and obviously it's first come, first served. Although, in theory, appointments are only about 15 minutes so there shouldn't be too long to wait to get a parking spot. All in all the service inside was apparently very efficient (only applicants allowed in, no partners so I'm going on what my wife told me). The system seemed to work well and we got text notification the next day to say the application had been received at the embassy in London. It's a good work-around for people who can't wait months for an appointment at London (and then the 8 weeks+ processing time on top of that!) if you're able to travel.

We did the visit to embassey last week and have to say it was lot easier than the old days of very long queues. The appointment system works well although there is a smaller queue inside and it is card only for payments. If they can sort out the ability to get passport appointments then may be change for better.

Waiting now for wife and daughters passports. Wife thinks may be as short as 4 weeks and few comments on Google to say that they have got passports quickly so some hope there. Embassey line was as per website which is eight to ten weeks.

My wifes turn on Wednesday, im going down to the smoke with her, hopefully the weather is better than it is right now "Tipping it down", does anyone know whats the nearest undergound station to the Philippine embassy in London ?.

Picadilly, and yes your right, it's cats and dogs at the moment, lashing it down and blustery.

Well thats over and done with now, arrived down in London in plenty of time, and got to the embassy about 1-30ish for her appointment time of 1-45pm, it says arrive 15 minutes prior to the appointment time, a few old dears were trying filipino style to push there way to being first in line, so i said rather loudly (On purpose) the queue is English style not Filipino style , at that my wife told me to go and have a walk round , so i went for a walk up and around Leicester Square weighing up the queue to get in Jolibee then back to the embassy where there seemed to be lots of people going in in ones and twos but very few coming out, I exchanged a few txts with my wife who told me a fair few people inside where there was a bottle neck waiting for the biometrics I waited, and waited, and waited, and waited finally i was so damn cold i decided on another walk around just to try and warm up, then at 3-19pm I got the phone call all done where are you?. I asked her what was the problem she said, inside there are two people doing Biometrics and 2 Queues both were slow but one was slower than the other, guess which one my wife was in, yep you guessed it, almost 2 hours waiting was beyond a joke, but its more fun outside the Filipino embassy not.
Got back to Birmingham about 8-40pm, walked a brisk walk from Grand Central to Snow Hill Stations, waited for the Train then realised due to signalling problems earlier it was running late and not due until 10-09pm, walked to the Bus stop just missed it, the next one was due in 13 minutes but that Bus only goes 2/3rds of the way home, so then its walk to the Tram get the Tram to West Bromwich, then get an Uber to the doorstep, all in all a day to forget and very tiring especially having to be up for work the today.