UK Border Agency LOST my passport - and say I didn't send it

[carrie17_]

Hello - I wonder if anyone has had this happen, and if they had any success trying to resolve it at all?

I sent in my application for a renewal of my 12 month Tier 1, received a confirmation of receipt letter, they took my fee, and a month later sent my entire file back to me. They have cited my application 'invalid' on account of my current passport not being included in the file. I sent it, it is listed on the enclosed documents, the passport number is listed in the middle of the application as required... but they claim it was not in there.

While it was processing, my valid visa expired and my bank account stopped carrying the excess they wanted to see for three months. I have no passport to travel with or identify myself. If I must go to the Canadian embassy to get a new passport they will not like my explanation for the location of the one I no longer have - and only just had issued four months ago!

I need my original application date honoured, my entire file accepted back either with the passport they have lost and will find, or authorization from them to accept a replacement passport if they cannot locate the one I sent them....

Any advice? Does this happen from time to time? I never anticipated such circumstances! Thanks for anything you can suggest - very much appreciated!

[kiwigirl25]

DELETED

[taylondon]

If I was you, I would have found a solicitor, discussed it with him/her, get him/her to write to home office and threaten home office that you will seek legal action if they do not sort the case out.

I would also have made a formal complaint to Home Office complaint team which you can find their details on the ukba web site.
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/contac ... complaint/
the complaint team will investigate the issue, talk to the relevant employees and get back to you with a formal respond.
you might take the case to local government ombudsman if you are not satisfied with the respond

If you were to get a new passport and submit another application, in case if you get refused you would not have any right to appeal as currently you got no valid visa.

good luck