lost immigration card in UK, need to travel

Hi,

I'm an international student in the UK, and I recently lost my UK immigration card. I called up the relevant number and got it cancelled today. I was told by the officer dealing with my case that I would need to apply for a replacement, and would have to take the biometric test all over again; the whole procedure according to him would take about 5-6 weeks.

I asked him whether there was any way I could travel to my country of permanent residence without my immigration card and have a replacement made over there (presumably at the Embassy) and then return to the UK. He said I would need to call their main number and check with immigration. Unfortunately it's too late to do that today but I'll do it tomorrow.

Maybe it's a long shot, but I just wanted to ask if someone else has been in a similar situation (lost their immigration card, and needed to temporarily leave the UK to visit their home country) and whether they were able to manage it?

It is not the traveling to home country that will be a problem but coming back to UK, without any evidence of leave to enter / remain (ICFN).

IMHO, overseas diplomatic posts are not the ideal place to get replacements issued.


regards