Getting a CDN passport from London: photo issues

Hi all,
Aside from the added complication of having a notary public fill out the garantor form (joy!), I'm having issues with the picture. Has anyone else had problems getting the right type of picture. The problem seems to be that stamp at the back with the shop info and declaration of likelyness.

Then the fun will really start because I'll have to renew my entry clearance!

Cheers
Pat

A list of recommended photographers is available on here:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canada-eur ... -16-en.asp

(I haven't tried any of them - I had mine done while in Canada!)

Believe it or not, the shady dude underground in Charing Cross tube station was the only one who took a correct photo after several attempts at more "professional" places elsewhere. Just use him.

I had to renew mine in February, after a couple of visits to photo stores advertising 'passport photos done here while you wait' type malarky, they finally refered me to visit the Kodak photo store in the same shopping centre. Went there & yes they do international passport photos but we need to make an apointment with their professional photographer the following day. Brought in the print offs about photo specifications from the Canadian Passport website which he used to double check that his info was correct. Took about 10 minutes for the photos to be taken, and they asked for 45 minutes while developing the photos (was a digital camera so I'm guessing they were refering to downloading to the computer & then making size adjustments or something prior to printing). They hand wrote the Kodak shops address and signed & dated one of the prints. Cost was £50! Ouch!

In any case, used my local GP for the notary/official but they charge a fee for it (I'd been going to that GP for the last 3 years, think the doctor needs to know you for 2+years) and asked for 3 working days to have the forms completed by the GP. cost? £25! Double ouch!

Finally sent all the forms off with photos old passport birth certificate proof of Canadian citizenship (I was born outside Canada) and all the other malarky they asked for including bank card authorization to take payment part of the form completed. Sent the package at the local post store and opted for the more secure 'signed for' delivery to the London based Canadian Embassy, cost was about £7 (for the weight/size and signature required) if I remember correctly.

Took a week for the Canadian embassy to take their passport fee payment from my bank and another 2 weeks for them to send back all the original documents (old passport with Visa in it. think you need to check off something in the forms requesting its return?) and shiny new passport so all in all was about a month from start to finish.

How long before you get a UK passport? Did you apply for one or are you eligible? It just sounds like such a pain what with all the photo and guarantor hassles you went through.

Hi there!

Is an entry clearance the same as a leave to remain? If it is, you don't need to have it tranfered to your new passport. As long as you carry your old passport with the new one, you don't have to have it transfered.

Good luck

If anyone cares you dont need to find a notary or solicitor (the one I called wanted £60 plus vat to fill the Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor). The Canadian High Commission can do it for you on the spot for 26 pounds if you can afford to go in person at trafalgar square in London. They open from 9h30 to 13h30 M - Friday. You can find the form here:
http://www.fivecornersplanning.com/PPT_ ... rantor.htm

When you get the Passport application forms from the High Commission in Trafalgar Square, they put in a little card with recommended photographers.

There's one in Oxford Street, towards the Marble Arch end which has been going for years, and a newer place at Charing Cross tube station. I've used both and never had any problems with either. However neither place is what you might call luxurious!

Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor is a pain though if you have to do it.