ILR on an expired passport

Having Indefinite Leave to remain allows one to stay and  work in the UK. Once you have secured an ILR UK then you can eventually seek to gain British citizenship and make an application to the UK Visa and Immigration.

When you gain an ILR you receive a stamp on your passport that indicates an ILR endorsement and becomes a proof of your settled status in the UK. During the time when workers are hired, they must go for a right to work check and ILR endorsement will prove them that they are eligible to work in the UK. But if you are working in the UK with ILR on an expired passport that may cause you some trouble. 

My passport is now expired but I have ILR stamp on it

If you have an ILR UK stamp on your expired passport then you may not be able to use that passport to travel outside the UK and come back but will also need a current, valid passport.

You cannot use your expired passport when you are asked to undergo the right to work checks since the ILR may be active but because your passport is expired you may face certain complications as you won’t be able to use your expired passport. Earlier than May 2014 the Government used to allow it but since the amendments in rules and regulations you no longer can do this. You must apply for a fresh passport at the earliest since the ILR stamp needs to be shown in the documents that are current.  

What shall I do if I have got ILR endorsement on an expired passport?

If your ILR endorsement is on your expired passport, then the wiser way would typically be to make a “No time limit application” to transfer your details to a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).

A Biometric Residence Permit is a record of a migrant’s details such as their name, date and place of birth and their biometric information, such as  their photographs and fingerprints. The Biometric Residence Permit is a proof of their immigration status and eligibility while they are staying in the UK. 

How can I prove the Right to work check in the UK with ILR endorsement?

You must wait for a decision on your ILR application before being able to prove your right to work in the UK.

If the UK employer who has hired you wants to carry out a right to work check even when your application is being processed, then you can contact the UK visa and immigration ‘Employer Checking Service’. This service can help you verify that you have made an application for a Biometric Residence Permit and that you have the right to work so that your employment and joining does not get delayed. 

What if during my ILR application my passport expires?

When you are making an online application for ILR UK (Indefinite Leave to Remain) you are required to provide the UK visa and immigration with your valid passport as well as any other previous passport that you have held to confirm your identity.

Sometimes, the migrants are not able to produce their older passports. Without a valid, current passport the process will get complicated and even the result may not be in your favour. Even if you have an expired passport you must submit it to UK visa and immigration if asked to do so.

Take help from immigration experts

Making an application for ILR may require you to follow rigorous and strict guidelines and often due to lack of guidance you may get overwhelmed. You must seek immediate support from UK immigration and visa experts. A Y & J Solicitors are UK visa and immigration experts for over 10 years now. They have helped over 4000 clients reach their ILR UK applications successfully.

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