Immigrationboards.com

Greetings. I’ll start a new thread with a different topic

So, I am getting ready to submit the citizenship application today. As I was preparing it. I received this morning the email from the homeoffice requesting I make an evisa application, which for me will entail a NTL application as I have an old paper ILR.

Do I do this NTL first, and then apply for citizenship. Or apply for citizenship, and if it doesn’t come through by 31 December, apply for the NTL? I’m asking as the BRPs are going to expire on 31 December anyhow, and I’m not travelling.

Second question, If I make the citizenship application, how long do I have to book a biometrics application? Is it 45 days? I have booked holiday for the next two weeks in the country, and can make the appointment during holiday, but would prefer not to do so. Thanks very much.

Have a look at this thread re evisa, last post is the video fom UKVI:
viewtopic.php?p=2164210#p2164210

Cheers, sorry for the double post. V. Much appreciate this.

So I watched the video (thank you for showing it to me) and they noted I needed a UAN or GWF number. I don’t have this, nor a BRP. I just have the paper ILR in my expired US passport and a current US passport.

So, does this mean indeed I have to go through the NTL process to get a BRP, then get the evisa, then apply for citizenship with the evisa after? I’m asking as this will take another year (6 months per application. I just got a generic email below

Thanks and apologies for all the queries.

**************

If you did not receive this email directly from the Home Office, it may not be possible to create your account or view your eVisa yet.

Dear Sir/Madam,

We are contacting you because your biometric residence permit (BRP) will expire on 31 December 2024. To prove your immigration status after this date you will need to replace your BRP with an eVisa, which is free and easy to do. The expiration of your BRP card does not affect your immigration status.

What do I need to do now?

Please take the following steps now:

1) Create a UKVI account to access your eVisa, which will replace your BRP.

2) To create your UKVI account, you will need:

Your date of birth
Your BRP Number
Your passport (if you do not have a BRP)
Access to an email address and phone number
Access to a smartphone
You should create your UKVI account at: https://www.gov.uk/get-access-evisa.

Got a question?

For more information about eVisas and to get help creating your UKVI account, visit: https://www.gov.uk/evisa.

Already have an eVisa or another physical document?

If you already have an eVisa, or if you have another document to prove your immigration status such as a certificate of entitlement of right of abode, visit https://www.gov.uk/evisa for more information on how this change will affect you.

Legal representative, or an immigration application advisor?

If you are a legal representative or advisor and used your email address for client immigration applications, please disregard this message. We will provide more information later this year.

Stay updated

For the latest eVisas updates visit https://www.gov.uk/evisa, and sign up for updates. This page will be regularly updated throughout 2024.

I answered my own question. An immigration advisor told me it would be easier to apply for the BRP as the decision will be faster and then use that for naturalisation. So, I just uploaded about 150 documents to the NTL application site and booked in biometrics. I am amazed I was able to find documents for the past two decades showing I was resident in the UK, but it took some digging. Thank you for your help, and apologies for all the queries/double posting.

And...as I had the citizenship application done anyhow, I paid my taxes due in July, I submitted the citizenship application as well, and put I was also applying for NTL for the BRP in the cover letter. My conscience was bothering me about the speeding tickets, so I mentioned them and the dates to the best of my ability. I never recall in any of my past immigration applications (long ago admittedly), that speeding tickets were even a cause of concern. Oh well. So, I'll let you know what happens, and I want to thank you all very, very much for being so kind to answer my questions and help me. It means a lot, particularly when the forms can be confusing (at least for me anyhow!)