His Majesty’s Diplomatic Services has issued another public notice acknowledging ongoing difficulties affecting passport printing operations, warning that normal processing times will remain longer than usual.
The announcement, issued on Friday, 23 October, follows an earlier notice attributing passport processing and printing delays to an increased volume of applications, amid public complaints about equipment failures and poor communication.
“His Majesty’s Diplomatic Service wishes to inform the public that, owing to difficulties currently affecting passport printing operations, normal processing times are expected to be longer than usual,” the latest notice said.
“Normal passport printing services will resume as soon as circumstances permit a return to normal operations, and the public will be advised accordingly.”
Earlier complaints remain unresolved
The latest notice follows a Kaniva News report highlighting conflicting accounts of the disruptions and public criticism of the department’s handling of passport applications earlier this week.
While the department previously attributed the problems to a surge in applications, complainants on the Tonga Felafoaki Facebook group, which has more than 160,000 followers, reported that passport processing equipment had broken down.
Some said applicants had travelled from eastern and western districts only to be informed by staff that the equipment was not working.
One complainant questioned why the department had not warned the public before people made lengthy and potentially unnecessary journeys.
Other commenters criticised poor communication and customer service, while one called for refunds of urgent passport processing fees paid by affected applicants.