Application with Expired BRP and Travel Document – No ID

[amin12345]

Hi everyone,

I’m seeking advice on behalf of my next-door neighbor, who’s feeling really disheartened with her naturalisation process.

Her Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card and travel document have both expired, and she doesn’t have any other form of ID except her indefinite leave to remain (ILR) letter. She has already passed both the B1 English test and Life in the UK test, so she’s ready to apply for naturalisation, but there are complications:

She sent her travel document to the Home Office, but it wasn’t returned because her BRP card had expired. She was told she needs to renew her BRP first, and then reapply for the travel document. However, when she tried to renew her BRP card, the application form requested 28 years of proof of residency, which she doesn’t have in the form of letters or other documents, even though she has been living in the UK for 28 years. She might be able to obtain proof of residency for the past 10 to 15 years, but not for the full 28 years they’re asking for. This is why she wants to apply for naturalisation—because she can’t provide the 28 years of residency proof for the BRP renewal.

She also has a picture of her expired travel document, but isn’t sure if this will help.

To complicate things further, with UKVCAS changing to TCLContact, she’s unsure if they will accept her naturalisation application with her expired BRP card.

I’m wondering:

Can she still apply for naturalisation with just her ILR letter and expired BRP card?
Will TCLContact accept her application submission in this situation?
Is there any way to bypass or fast-track the BRP renewal given that she cannot provide 28 years of residency proof, and can only gather 10 to 15 years of documents?
Will a picture of her expired travel document help in any way during this process?
What options are available when both the BRP and travel document have expired, and she’s stuck needing one to renew the other?
She’s feeling really disheartened and would appreciate any advice or shared experiences!

Thanks in advance.

[contorted_svy]

A valid BRP (or travel document) shouldn't be a requirement for naturalisation. She will need some form of ID though, and she needs an original to show at the biometrics appointment.

[amin12345]

A valid BRP (or travel document) shouldn't be a requirement for naturalisation. She will need some form of ID though, and she needs an original to show at the biometrics appointment.

Hello,
She has the original BRP card, but it has expired. Do you know if it will still be accepted for the biometrics appointment? I know UKVAS currently accepts expired BRP cards, as stated on their website. However From 15 October 2024, visa and citizenship application services will be delivered by a new service provider called TLScontact. I couldn't find any information on their website about whether they will accept an expired BRP card as proof to submit her application.

Thank you.

[contorted_svy]

We cannot know this on the forum. I would imagine they should accept to keep consistency for applicants but no way to know for sure.

[contorted_svy]

An alternative solution would be to apply immediately and book a paid biometric appointment with the old system, potentially having to travel.