Surname issue on biometrics appointment letter / BRP

[liuk07]

I need some help regarding this tricky situation where I am not sure what I should do. I got my initial TIER 1 General visa starting from Dec 2008 and its expiring by end of Dec 2011. I applied the extension in early November 2011 and I got biometrics appointment letter on 27 Nov 2011 but the problem is that they have put my wife’s name as Meena Chopra (Maiden Name) in the appointment letter but it should have been Meena Kapoor (Husband family name after marriage).

Almost 7 years back just after marriage, my wife maiden name Chopra was changed to my surname Kapoor and it was marked as name correction on her passport page 7. Since then all her documents including her initial TIER 1 visa, on my new passport and all banks/employer documents, marriage certificate and everything else is having her name as Meena Kapoor.

I called ukba enquiry several times at 08706067766 and to cut story short it took me 10 working days to figure out that according to process for biometrics residence permit they only consider the name on first page of passport which is Meena Chopra. I explained that this name is no longer in use but she said that’s the process and they won’t issue a new appointment letter. Then I quickly went ahead and book biometrics appointment with her name as Meena Chopra as I don’t want to go over 15 working days and risk visa extension.

One problem I can clearly foresee is if tomorrow she goes and open bank account she would have to show her BRP for valid TIER 1 General visa, which will have her name as Meena Chopra and then she has to match with her passport 1st page but in turns her name would be changed to Meena Chopra which she hasn’t used in any form of identity for the last 7 years.

I am sure there must be other cases that would have similar surname change case. Can you please let me know what happen in your case and did you allow the name change to previous maiden name or how did you manage this situation? Also I would request senior board member to help me here with your expert judgement.

I have got little time left to resolve this issue therefore any quick help from any corner of this board would be hugely appreciated !!

[Jambo]

Don't really see an issue here. As you said, it is very common for a married wife to have documentation under the two names and as long ad she has the link between the two that should be fine.
Also, I don't think you need to show a BRP when opening a bank account. They are more interested in your credit history than your immigration history.

[liuk07]

Thanks Jambo for the quick response. I actually want to understand if this is going to be an issue later where the first visa has a name which got change during visa extension.

Also for applying a bank account you need to show what's your current visa type to determine the eligibility and that goes as proof for opening bank account. This is just a example case but there could be other things like that could come up later.

I would like to know from fellow friends including you if they come across any such issue or is it such common case that every government and other departments knows about that and no one ever faced any issue because of that?

[liuk07]

I am not ready to believe that no one had been through similar situation or don't know about that.

Any one please share your information here for the benefit of others.

[zahid.ali.anwar]

Shouldn't be a problem, as all the visa issued now, have picture of applicant on it. Along with passport, submit your marriage certifiate as a proof for opening bank account.