Why is my passport no longer enough?

“I renewed my passport here about a year back and was no hassle at all”

“We have a US passport with UAE residency VISA, Emirates ID and UAE driver licenses. It took 6 months and however much it cost, (thru Abu Dhabi,) and we were grateful when it was done. Our car, (bought only 11 months ago,) broke down on Al Khail today and we made it to the dealership before the engine really started dying. We had to leave it there and went to get a rental car for a few days but no rental company would let us despite the fact my husband had on him his residency visa, emirates ID and drivers license! The reason? He'd only had his license for 11 month and not a full year. They wanted his US license which was back home up in Umm al Quwain, a 200 aed cab ride and 45 min away. The moral of this story? Not only is a passport not good enough, but neither is all the rest, sometimes! Make sure you keep all your other forms of ID on you at all times too!”

“Heard plenty of complaints with Brits and passport renewal since diverted to Germany and I believe it costs more. Even visa application for spouses of Brit Citizens is complicated as they are treated as others and pay just the same. Apparently European Countries dont charge for spouses of Brit Citizens but Brit Embassy do - as a friend applied for his other half at German Consulate and presented his passport as well and the Schengen Visa was free of charge for spouses. Mmmm. He paid Dhs 4,295 for 10 year visa plus Dhs 8 for SMS and Dhs 30 for Courier at Brit Embassy.”

“Bit harsh on the FCO consular service, Britain was until recently one of only a few nations issuing passports at embassies, possibly the last. Now they're done through 1 of 8 global centres, and still come back faster than other nations that require they be sent home.”

“Because we are directed to send them there for processing. Saving money I suppose.”

“@NewCrunch: UK passports are made in Germany now so all renewals are routed through Dusseldorf.”

“@myquest: just out of curiosity, why would a British passport go to Germany for renewal??”

“Lucky you are not British. We have to send ours to Germany for renewal during which time, maybe 4 maybe 6 weeks we are unable to travel! This is despite being the only country in the world (UAE) that we have two full Embassies!”

“passports are meant to travel only!”

“Wills Blog on 7days”