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Can I work in the UK with my old (1990s) ILR Stamp?
Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 7:04 pm
by moe1524
Greetings all.
Had my ILR since 1991, and been spending most of my summers in the uk since. Recently I've finished a few exams and I'm finally set to practice Medicine in the uk and move there indefinitely.
Here's the issue though. I've been reaching out to a few agencies to find me a job, but they've all gave me the same feedback. None of them will accept my old-timey ILR Stamp as proof of residency and they're all asking me to apply for the BRP instead.
Is it my National Insurance Number they're after? Or am I not allowed to work with my old ILR?
Re: Can I work in the UK with my old (1990s) ILR Stamp?
Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 7:26 pm
by CR001
Had my ILR since 1991, and been spending most of my summers in the uk since.
Do you realise that ILR laspses after an absence of 2 or more years and short visits don't usually retain the ILR status??
Is it my National Insurance Number they're after?
No
Or am I not allowed to work with my old ILR?
The rules changed and you now required a BRP card to present to an employer.
Re: Can I work in the UK with my old (1990s) ILR Stamp?
Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 8:04 pm
by moe1524
Do you realise that ILR laspses after an absence of 2 or more years and short visits don't usually retain the ILR status??
Hey. Thanks for getting back to me.
Yes I do realize all that. Luckily I've managed to retain my ILR Status all these years. Me traveling to and from the UK was purely because of my parents jobs, my 7+ years of Medical school, Residency, and Mandatory Army service in my country. But I always had the intention of coming back indefinitely. The fact that I'm about to be registered in the GMC and part of the NHS should be proof enough of Intent to live in the UK, No? God knows there's no other use for it.
So no question my next step is to apply to have my old stamp replaced with a BRP. My travel history over the past few decades however like I mentioned, could be an issue for me when applying for a BRP?
Re: Can I work in the UK with my old (1990s) ILR Stamp?
Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 8:50 pm
by zimba
Old stickers are not accepted as a proof of right to work. Apply for BRP replacement
Re: Can I work in the UK with my old (1990s) ILR Stamp?
Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 9:26 pm
by secret.simon
moe1524 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2017 8:04 pm
Luckily I've managed to retain my ILR Status all these years.
How do you know that you have retained ILR? You aren't notified when you lose it.
moe1524 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2017 8:04 pm
My travel history over the past few decades however like I mentioned, could be an issue for me when applying for a BRP?
Yes.
Could you give us an idea of how many months in the past five/ten years have you been resident in the UK? Have you been absent from the UK for any two continuous years?
Here is
my thoughts on how ILR works for people who have been absent for significant periods of time. Also see the
Returning Residents guidance on the gov.uk website.
Re: Can I work in the UK with my old (1990s) ILR Stamp?
Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 9:41 pm
by moe1524
How do you know that you have retained ILR? You aren't notified when you lose it.
I've been to the uk twice this year and I've gotten in. Was just there 2 months ago. Could they have allowed me into the country if I had lost it?
Could you give us an idea of how many months in the past five/ten years have you been resident in the UK? Have you been absent from the UK for any two continuous years?
In all Honesty, I've barely been in the UK these past 10 years. But I've never been absent for any continuous two years. I had exams and courses in Manchester last July, so I was there since May and left late July. Thats the longest I've stayed there in years.
Like I mentioned I've always had plans to come back. Spent thousands in exam/course fees, and years studying for my GMC registration. I'm actually very worried now it all could have been for nothing .. I really appreciate your help guys. I would be tremendously grateful for any advice at this point.
Re: Can I work in the UK with my old (1990s) ILR Stamp?
Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 9:43 pm
by Casa
Your extended absences are likely to flag up when you apply for the BRP.
Re: Can I work in the UK with my old (1990s) ILR Stamp?
Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2017 8:52 am
by moe1524
Casa wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2017 9:43 pm
Your extended absences are likely to flag up when you apply for the BRP.
I Agree. What do you think my next best step should be?
Immigration Status Document needed
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 2:51 pm
by moe1524
To Prove that I can work in the UK, and to have a National Insurance Number made for myself, I've been told by the National Insurance people that I need an Immigration Status Document signed from the home office stating that I have an ILR, and that I can work in the UK.
I've been searching all day for ways to have the document made, but I cant find any forms to fill or links to help.
Does anyone have any ideas? Any Help would be appreciated.
Re: Immigration Status Document needed
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 2:55 pm
by CMOSUK
Normally you could go into any Job Centre and they should be able to help you out with this. I did for my wife and we went to a job centre and they scanned her passport with the spouse visa on it at the time (2009).
You should have a BRP card with ILR on it as the stamped/sticker version in the passport

will not let you permit to work anymore (since 2014 I think) although you may still reside in the UK with it.
Again why they didn't ask for a BRP card to be taken to the nearest job centre so they can verify it is beyond me, especially as you have ILR. They usually do this with other visa categories other than ILR.
Hope this helps.
Re: Immigration Status Document needed
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 3:06 pm
by CR001
CMOSUK wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2017 2:55 pm
Normally you could go into any Job Centre and they should be able to help you out with this. I did for my wife and we went to a job centre and they scanned her passport with the spouse visa on it at the time (2009).
You should have a BRP card with ILR on it as the stamped/sticker version in the passport

will not let you permit to work anymore (since 2014 I think) although you may still reside in the UK with it.
Again why they didn't ask for a BRP card to be taken to the nearest job centre so they can verify it is beyond me, especially as you have ILR. They usually do this with other visa categories other than ILR.
Hope this helps.
I have merged the OPs topics so that members have the full details.
Re: Immigration Status Document needed
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 3:17 pm
by CMOSUK
CR001 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2017 3:06 pm
CMOSUK wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2017 2:55 pm
Normally you could go into any Job Centre and they should be able to help you out with this. I did for my wife and we went to a job centre and they scanned her passport with the spouse visa on it at the time (2009).
You should have a BRP card with ILR on it as the stamped/sticker version in the passport

will not let you permit to work anymore (since 2014 I think) although you may still reside in the UK with it.
Again why they didn't ask for a BRP card to be taken to the nearest job centre so they can verify it is beyond me, especially as you have ILR. They usually do this with other visa categories other than ILR.
Hope this helps.
I have merged the OPs topics so that members have the full details.
lol, I was wondering there had to be more to this than that. Thanks.
Re: Immigration Status Document needed
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 3:27 pm
by moe1524
CMOSUK wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2017 2:55 pm
You should have a BRP card with ILR on it as the stamped/sticker version in the passport

will not let you permit to work anymore (since 2014 I think) although you may still reside in the UK with it.
Hey Thanks for replying.
I've checked with an Immigration Solicitor while I'm here in England and he insisted that that isn't true. According to him, I don't need a new BRP, my Old ILR should suffice. What he told me actually was confirmed by the Lady I spoke with over the phone who worked with the National Insurance. To work I need an Immigration Status document confirming my ILR Status as well as my right to work in the UK, and then I could apply for a National Insurance Number.
https://www.gov.uk/legal-right-work-uk/ ... /no/no/yes
Unless I'm mistaken, the above link also confirms all this.
Re: Immigration Status Document needed
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 3:31 pm
by CR001
As already advised when you posted in September, the document you need is a BRP card. This is the proof of your ILR and right to work. A BRP card is an immigration status document.
You will not be able to get work if you do not have a BRP card.
Re: Immigration Status Document needed
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 3:42 pm
by CMOSUK
moe1524 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2017 3:27 pm
CMOSUK wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2017 2:55 pm
You should have a BRP card with ILR on it as the stamped/sticker version in the passport

will not let you permit to work anymore (since 2014 I think) although you may still reside in the UK with it.
Hey Thanks for replying.
I've checked with an Immigration Solicitor while I'm here in England and he insisted that that isn't true. According to him, I don't need a new BRP, my Old ILR should suffice. What he told me actually was confirmed by the Lady I spoke with over the phone who worked with the National Insurance. To work I need an Immigration Status document confirming my ILR Status as well as my right to work in the UK, and then I could apply for a National Insurance Number.
https://www.gov.uk/legal-right-work-uk/ ... /no/no/yes
Unless I'm mistaken, the above link also confirms all this.
Hello,
Would like to confirm that you will need your ILR on your BRP card as recently my company took part in an exercise to check all employees documents to make sure they have the right to work, this was with the cooperation of UKVI.
Some people were identified as having ILR but on their passports whether it was expired or not but were required to have their ILR on their BRP card as of either 2014 or 2015 rules changes (can't remember the dates).
I know this mainly because I was asked to translate for the members of my company that didn't have their ILR on their BRP cards but on their passports, some were valid and some of them were expired. I first spoke to a UKVI immigration officer who explained to me, for me to explain to them that they could not continue working unless they applied for a NTL for their ILR to be transferred to their BRP card.
Yes, they could reside in the UK with that ILR on their passport but not work. This was something the immigration officer made very clear to them.
I hope this helps.
Re: Immigration Status Document needed
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 3:45 pm
by moe1524
Thank you both for your responses.