Valid Visa, Expired Passport?

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Recently we have experienced an increasing number of individuals who need help with an expired passport even though they possess a UK visa. UK law allows a foreigner to remain in the country and use the visa with an expired passport, but this is something many feel uncomfortable with.

HOME OFFICE GUIDANCE ON AN EXPIRED PASSPORT

The Home Office guidance on the matter very clearly states that a person can use the valid UK visa in the expired passport. The person however has to show the expired passport together with the new passport.
UK employers who have doubts about a person’s right to work in the UK can check this with the UK Employer Checking Service.

HOW TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE?

When you have an expired passport and valid visa you can apply for a BRP Biometric Residence Permit. You can do this while you are inside the United Kingdom.
Residents residing outside the UK, need to transfer their valid UK visa to their updated passport. Even though there are no laws that insist residents and foreigners must have a Biometric Residence Permit in instances where passports have expired. The upside of obtaining a Biometric Residence Permit are as follows:

  • You will be able to travel in and out of the UK
  • You have proof that you are allowed to access benefits in the UK and have the right to legally work inside of the UK.
  • A Biometric Residence Permit offers you enhanced security

BIOMETRIC RESIDENCE PERMITS

In recent times all, new applicants for UK visas are automatically issued with Biometric Residence Permits. If your visa application to the UK is successful you receive a thirty-day vignette in your passport. This gives you a grace period to leave the country of origin and travel to the UK.
Upon arrival in the UK, the Biometric Residence Permit will be ready and issued. The BRP is a work permit or settlement permit. Once an applicant with this visa requests an indefinite leave to remain visa in the UK, they will be issued a new BRP. The BRP is ideal to have due to doubts that could arise at employers and airports especially. We invite you to let us help you with the steps to obtain your Biometric Residence Permit to be safe too.


Halil İbrahim Koca

Immigration Adviser

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