Last Updated on June 30, 2025 by Tracey Roberts
Here at U.K.ABROAD, we aim to provide a service that makes the process of renewing a British Passport when living abroad a straightforward one.
When you are a British Passport holder and living abroad, keeping your passport up to date is essential.
Time wasting, stress, and overall complexity are some of the problems you may face when keeping your passport up to date.
Quick Overview
U.K.ABROAD offers a simplified, end-to-end service for renewing British passports while living overseas. The process is managed entirely online and includes five steps: completing the online application, paying securely, expert document review, couriering materials to the UK, and delivering the renewed passport back to your doorstep. To ensure a smooth renewal, applicants need three key items: a fully completed form with supporting documents, a compliant passport photo, and the old passport. The standard turnaround time, from receipt of application, is typically 3-4 weeks, although this can vary depending on courier delivery and HM Passport Office workloads. For urgent cases or expired passports abroad, U.K.ABROAD can guide clients toward emergency travel documents.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew your British passport entirely online from abroad with U.K.ABROAD’s five-step service.
- You’ll need your completed form with documents, a compliant photo, and your current passport (even if expired).
- The typical process takes around 3–4 weeks, including courier times.
- No fast-track is available overseas, but urgent travel may be possible with an emergency travel document.
- U.K.ABROAD manages everything, making renewal from abroad simple and stress-free.
We all know the hassle of getting official documents in order. And, these problems only increase when you are living abroad. Decreasing a tremendous amount of this stress is possible when you use U.K.ABROAD.
We do this by offering a service that takes on the responsibility of understanding and honouring the British government’s mandates so that you don’t have to.
CLICK HERE TO RENEW YOUR BRITISH PASSPORT FROM ABROAD.
Can I renew my UK passport from abroad?
Yes, you can. Renewing a British Passport when living abroad is an easy process with U.K.ABROAD. As the renewal process is all done online, you can now renew your passport from the comfort of your home.
There is an added delay when you live abroad because time has to be factored in to deliver the official documents. There is also an added cost for this delivery compared to living in the UK and trying to renew your British Passport.
The logistical aspect of renewing a British Passport when living abroad is made simple when you use U.K.ABROAD.
How do I renew my British passport?
Long gone are the days of waiting in queues at official departments to renew your British Passport.
Using U.K.ABROAD is the easiest and most effective way to complete the process of renewing a UK passport when living abroad.
CLICK HERE TO RENEW YOUR BRITISH PASSPORT FROM ABROAD.
Our years of expertise have allowed us to streamline the entire process into an easy five-step process.
You are getting seasoned experts at your fingertips who understand and honour the British government’s ruling on UK passports.
We do this on your behalf so that you don’t have to.
There are three things you need to have for renewing a British Passport when living abroad.
- A completed application form and supporting documents: Make sure to fill out the online application with the correct information. Click here to get started. Taking the time to fill out the application carefully on the U.K.ABROAD website will prevent delays or rejection of your renewal..
- A Passport Photo: HM Passport Office has stringent requirements for a passport photo to be valid. If your passport photo does not follow their guidelines, your application will be rejected, and you will not be refunded. Our expert team will guide you through every step of the British Passport photo process to ensure your photos are compliant.
- Your old Passport: You will have to courier your old passport to complete the application.
How do I renew my passport while living abroad?
Renewing a British Passport when living abroad is an easy process when you use U.K.ABROAD.
We eliminate the hassle and stress with our simple 5 step application process:
- Complete the online application at U.K.ABROAD, fill in the relevant information correctly here.
- Complete a secure online payment via debit or credit card. U.K.ABROAD payments are powered by Stripe – the world’s most secure online payment gateway.
- Our experts will check your documents and information to ensure that everything is in order. This process prevents delays and rejections from happening. We then submit your documents on your behalf.
- We then arrange for safe and secure delivery via courier to send your documents to the relevant government office in the UK.
- Your new passport is delivered directly to your doorstep.
What happens if my passport expires while in another country?
You should always keep your British Passport within six months of validity. But life happens, and we are here to help when things don’t go according to plan.
Most countries will not let you enter unless your British passport is valid six months after your return date.
If your passport expires while in another country, then U.K.ABROAD’s service is your best option.
Renewing an expired passport in another country is something you should always consult an expert about.
Let us handle the complex process of renewing a British Passport when overseas on your behalf. Renewing your passport if it has expired is possible, as the application process is all conducted online.
Renewing your UK Passport from the USA? Read the complete guide here.
Can I travel back to the UK with an expiring passport?
If your passport has expired or is expiring soon, your safest bet is to:
- Apply for a British Emergency Travel Document (valid for a one-way/return trip) via a UK embassy or consulate abroad
- Alternatively, renew your passport before travelling.
In short: UK border won’t stop you coming home, but airlines probably will – so get an emergency travel document or renew your passport first.
How long does it take to renew a British passport from overseas?
Renewing your passport when living abroad means that there will be a longer turnaround period than if you are living in the UK.
This wait can be anything from 3 – 4 weeks in normal times, longer if HM Passport Office is experiencing delays due to unprecedented demand.
When you are abroad, you have to factor in extended courier times and time for the documents to reach their destinations.
Using U.K.ABROAD also means that delays, or a rejection, are an unlikelihood when renewing a British Passport while living abroad.
Our team of experts thoroughly check your documents so that you can rely on a three to four-week time frame.
UK Passport renewal overseas fast track option
Although you cannot technically expedite a British Passport renewal from abroad, you can use a professional service to avoid delays and rejections. For urgent situations, an Emergency travel document is advised.
Click here to read more about emergency travel documents.
Renewing your British passport from New Zealand? Click here to find out more.
Conclusion.
Renewing a British passport when living abroad can be quite complicated if you don’t have the right help. Fortunately, we have outlined everything that needs to happen above so that your experience with renewing a British passport will go as smoothly as possible.
Are you a British Expat? U.K.ABROAD specialises in British passport applications, renewals and replacements from abroad.
“In the first six months of 2022, 97.7% of applications from the UK were completed within the 10 week window. However, a passport can only be issued once all the checks have been completed satisfactorily and may take longer if applications are submitted with missing or incomplete information.” –smithstonewalters.com
Related Articles
- What to Do if Passport Holder Has Died
- Essential Steps to Renew a UK Passport from a Foreign Country: A Complete Guide for Expats
- GB Passport
- How to Receive Your Renewed UK Passport Abroad
- What Happens to Your Old UK Passport When You Renew?
- British Passport Renewal Requirements
- Steps to Renew a UK Passport
Renewing your UK passport from Spain? Click here.
Renewing your British Passport from Germany? Click here to find out more.
