How to apply from United Arab Emirates

You need to send your completed passport application and documents to our Regional Passport Processing Centre in Düsseldorf, Germany for processing.

We recommend that you print this page, so you can refer to it. Print

• Where to send
• How to send
• How much
• How to pay
• Timing
• Delivery back to you
• Specific requirements
• Need more information
• Urgent travel
• Contact us
  

Where to send

Passport Section
British Consulate-General
Yorckstrasse 19
40476 Düsseldorf
Germany

How to send

We recommend that you send us your application by secure means such as registered post or a courier.  In the UAE, our delivery partner is DHL Express.  You can visit any conveniently located DHL Service Point across UAE in order to send your passport renewal documents (click here for DHL Service Point locations). DHL Express offers a special reduced rate of AED 100 to get your application to Dusseldorf.   All you need to do is contact them and quote the special code: DHLBP.

You are, of course, able to use another reputable courier service, such as Fedex, TNT or Aramex, however your passport and documents will be returned to you via our delivery partner DHL Express. If using a courier to submit your application do not pay for a return service. This covered by a separate fee charged by us - see below.  Do not highlight on the outside envelope that it contains a passport application.

How much

Passport fees are:  

Adult passport

• 32-page passport - €164  
• 48-page passport - €198

• Child passport (32 pages) - €104

Courier Fee – Each customer will be required to pay a courier fee to cover the cost of the return of supporting documents from Dusseldorf and for the return of the passport from the UK.

• Courier fee – €25

How to pay

You should pay by credit card using the credit card form. The cards we accept are Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards. We are unable to accept Maestro cards, American Express, JBC or Diners’ Club cards. 

YOU MUST NOT SEND CASH

From 1 March 2012, we will not provide a receipt unless you have supporting documents to be returned or if you are applying at the counter or if you specifically ask for one.  If paying by credit card you can do this by using the tick box on the credit card mandate form or if you are paying by another method by making a note in the ‘other information’ section of your Passport Application form.  If you have no supporting documents to be returned and you request a receipt, you will need to pay the full courier fee for the return of supporting documents as well as the fee for sending your new passport from the UK.

Passport photographs

You must submit photographs that meet our criteria - see the IPS rules for photographs. Failure to do so will delay the processing of your application whilst we wait for correct photographs to be submitted.

Timing

We aim to process the new passport within four weeks from the date the fee is taken and the application contains all of the information we need. Failure to provide all of the required documentation will result in your application being delayed or returned. If it is a first time application, or you are replacing a lost or stolen passport, you should allow at least six weeks.

We would remind customers that travel should not be booked until a passport has been issued and received by you. We cannot accept responsibility for any costs incurred if travel is booked and subsequently cancelled before you have received your passport.

Delivery back to you

Your passport will be dispatched to you from the UK. Where appropriate, your supporting documents will be sent back to you from the Passport Processing Centre. Both shipments are handled by DHL Worldwide.

DHL advise that delivery of supporting documentation should take one to two working days from dispatch from the Consulate-General in Düsseldorf. Delivery of your passport will take one to two working days from UK dispatch.

DHL aim to deliver packages direct to customers or to diplomatic missions.  However, for some areas this may not be possible.  In such circumstances, DHL will contact you directly during working hours to arrange for you to collect your documents from the nearest DHL office or to provide an alternative delivery address.  You should ensure that up to date, correct contact details are included with the passport application form. When collecting documents, you will be required to bring photo identification that matches the name on the shipment.

Specific requirements from the United Arab Emirates  

All applications must include a completed application form, two identical photographs, supporting documents and a credit card authorisation slip.  

If you are applying to renew your passport you must also include your old or expiring passport.  We will cancel this passport (leaving any visa or residency stamps intact) and return it. We recommend that you keep a copy of your passport data page and your UAE visa.

Important note: Customers should not make any travel arrangements until their new passport is received. We cannot be held responsible for costs incurred as a result of disrupted travel plans.

While your passport is being processed, you should carry your Residence Permit and/or other photo ID with you (eg driving licence), along with a photocopy of your old passport, your UAE visa page and evidence that you have requested a renewal (copy of your application form, proof of postage etc).

What if I have lost my passport?

There are certain procedures you need to follow if you lose your passport in the UAE.  Please visit the Abu Dhabi and Dubai Embassies’ website for further information:

• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai

Can I have a second passport?

These are issued on a discretionary basis to people who travel frequently. If you choose to apply for a second passport you will need to include a letter from your employer setting out the professional reasons for requiring a second passport.  You apply for a second passport in the same way, ie on Form C1. If you are applying for a second passport for the first time, you will need to send your current passport along with the application, together with a letter from your company confirming why a second passport is needed.  If you are applying to renew your second passport, you need to submit the passport that is being renewed, again with a supporting letter from your company.  

Residents in the UAE may like to consider applying for an e-gate card.  This will reduce the number of stamps placed in a passport whenever someone leaves or enters the UAE.
Supporting documents from UAE.

Change of name by Marriage: include the marriage certificate issued by the church or the courts.  This certificate should be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For first-time child applications:  If you have chosen to register the birth of your child with the Embassy in Abu Dhabi or Dubai the British birth certificate is sufficient documentation for the issue of the passport.  If you do not register the birth, or chose to apply for the passport before registration, you must provide the UAE issued birth certificate, translated into English and attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with the other required documents.

I need my passport for ID purposes.  What can I do whilst my application is being processed?

You should carry your Residence Permit and/or other photo ID with you (e.g. driving licence), along with a photocopy of your old passport, your UAE visa page and evidence that you have requested a renewal (copy of your application form, proof of postage etc).

Nationality Enquiries

Please note that we are unable to provide advice on enquiries related to nationality. Please see the section on Am I Eligible for a UK Passport (Link on left hand side) for further information.

Translations:

All foreign legal documents submitted with a passport application (such as birth/death/marriage certificates, divorce papers, change of name documents, affidavits, etc) should be translated into English.  You can find a list of officially recognised translators here for Dubai and Abu Dhabi. You cannot get a friend or relative to do this for you.

Need more information

If you need detailed information about what type of passport you need, what documents you need to supply for different types of application, please go to What passport do I need?

Urgent Travel:

If you need to travel urgently and your normal passport is not available you should contact the nearest Embassy in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai.  Contact details can be found on the UKinUAE website. They may be able to provide you with emergency travel documentation.  Please note they will not be able to answer general passport questions or give information on passport applications in progress (as they are no longer involved in this process).  You should only contact them if you have a need to travel urgently and you will be asked to supply evidence of your need.

Contact Us:

If you cannot find the information you need on the website, you could contact the Careline Passport Information Line at +44 208 082 4723 (Credit Card Line - calls will be charged at £0.72 per minute plus VAT) 21:00 Sunday UK time – 01:30 Saturday UK time (24 hour service). Please be aware that you will be charged for this call so try the website first.

For customers with hearing difficulties, a Text phone service is available by contacting +44 1750 725368.

Please do not contact us before the expected processing/delivery time as detailed above.  We will not be able to give further information and you will be charged for this call.