skydiver77

My Thai wife and I are planning  to go to KL in January to apply for a 1yr non imm O. at the Thai Embassy. My passport is valid until June, but I note that a validity of at least 18 months is required at the time of application.
Since the Brit Embassy suggests a minimum waiting period of 4 weeks, it was time to sort it as soon as possible.
Everything went smoothly from the word,'Go.'
On the downloaded application form, I did not have the decleration or photo countersigned. London FCO suggest no need if appearance hasn't changed much.
I took a chance and did not have the pics checked at the Embassy, despite the high criteria required. And I did not send my passport, just the data page copy.

The lady at the DHL counter [4th floor, Emporium] was pleasant and efficient, knowing exactly what she was doing. I was provided with 2 tracking codes for HK shipment and for return to Thailand.
My post was delivered and signed for at HK the following day, [pm] A few days later I checked my credit card account which showed the required amount had been removed 3 days after receiving.
10 days after posting at the Emporium and not trying the forwarding tracking code yet, I was pottering about in the garden, when a brightly colored DHL van came around the corner.
Now thats what I call good service.

Please correct me if I have the wrong information. I will have to renew my British passport very soon. Perhaps someone who has recently done this, can confirm that in a straight forward renewal, providing ones appearance has not altered too much, the Decleration and photo does not need signing.
And is the turnaround still 4 weeks as noted in the Embassy website.
Thank you.