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I have a current U.S. passport and usually all I need to do is present my old passport along with new when entering UK to have Indefinite Leave Stamp carried over. My current passport does not have Indefinite Leave stamp as I have not been out of country since it was issued. I started a new job and my employer has requested I produce a biometric (no time limit) visa stating I am not legal to work. Is this correct? Application submitted and monies taken, but I have received no acknowledgement letter - my employer needs a reference number to complete my right to work whilst application actually being processed. I have resided in UK for 45 years, have a National Insurance Number, am married to a British husband, been through the school system and my Mother is British. I understand (I think!?) with the new rules that I must have a biometric visa now but in the meantime it's impossible for me to find anywhere where I can request a reference number in support of my application! Anyone I have managed to speak with on helplines have been no help at all saying they cannot comment on my application without a reference number! Can anyone offer up any help? I do not want to lose my job over this - seems crazy!

Yes it is correct. Since May 2014, endorsements or visas including those for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) are required to be in passports which have not expired to prove the right to work in the UK. You must get a BRP instead to prove your right to work.
Your reference will be on the Biometric enrolment letter which could arrive few weeks after applying for your BRP but the whole processes could take months. You better explain this to your employer and let them know that you will get them a reference as soon as possible when issued by HO.

Thanks for reply - I do realise that the reference number will be on my biometric letter but therein lies the problem....be it a few weeks or months I am now at risk of losing my job - all I am after in the meantime is any knowledge of any other acceptable proof to offer to my employer at this stage. Also, does not my National Insurance Number cover me for work?

If your application is in the UKVI's system, then, hopefully, the ECS will give a positive result.

Thanks for reply. How can my employer complete the ECS without a reference number since this field must be completed to enable the check to continue?

Can employer carry out right to work check WITHOUT reference number?

Better ask your employer to contact UKVI instead and explain the situation

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