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Dear Forum Gurus and Members

Im an ILR holder in UK and eligible to apply for citizenship.

My Indian passport has expired and due to covid I have not been able to renew it.

My question is - is it must to have a valid passport for applying for british citizenship? Can I apply with BRP card and expired passport. Will it be a cause of concern / application returning unsuccessful.

Would you rather advice me to get valid passport first and then apply?

Much thanks
Singh

You do not need a valid passport. You will have provide other evidence of residence in the UK.

thanks for the response!

You must have been physically present in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands on the day 5 years before the application is received by the Home Office.


Hi All,

re: satisfying the above requirement and providing proof of physical presence 5 years before the date of application - I have lost my then passport which could have shown the entry and exit stamps and evidenced my physical presence in UK

what are the alternate means through which I can provide evidence of my physical presence in UK 5 years ago the date of application submission?

thanks

Highlighting to the group again, if moderators can provide a response on this query please. thanks!

You must have been physically present in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands on the day 5 years before the application is received by the Home Office.


Hi All,

re: satisfying the above requirement and providing proof of physical presence 5 years before the date of application - I have lost my then passport which could have shown the entry and exit stamps and evidenced my physical presence in UK

what are the alternate means through which I can provide evidence of my physical presence in UK 5 years ago the date of application submission?

thanks

puneetsingh wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 08, 2022 12:50 pm

what are the alternate means through which I can provide evidence of my physical presence in UK 5 years ago the date of application submission?

For example, a bank or credit card statement showing that you made a purchase at a retail outlet in the UK on the day

puneetsingh wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 06, 2022 8:20 pm

what are the alternate means through which I can provide evidence of my physical presence in UK 5 years ago the date of application submission?

According to how it was explained to me by other members last year, it is not up to you to prove it. You only need to list your absences, and make sure to pick a suitable date to submit your application, and it is up to the Home Office to verify your presence in the UK with their own records. See this post.

Not sure if this has changed since that discussion, but that was the answer at the time.

Even with the paper application (in my case pre-online) there was/is no requirement to prove that date.
Clearly if that day is listed in your absences you are not meeting the requirement.

Thank you for the responses. Much appreciated!

A follow-up connected Question in this situation, where I have lost passport in last 5 years, how alternatively to satisfy the requirement of "Proof of living in the UK" for last 5 years as part of naturalisation application? As I dont have a passport evidence of entry and exit stamps.

UKVAC has also stated utility bills and bank statementes wont suffice. Will a letter from employer confirming employed at a UK address suffice? Please provide more examples of measn by which this mandatory condition can be satisfied.

thanks!

P60s and Council Tax bills are very common for proving residency. Basically official type documents and correspondence, including from HMRC/ DPW/Pensions/Child Benefit. Normally one document per year suffices.

Thank you!