ILR application and Travel

[Jason1]

Hi All,

I've got a bit of a roundabout question, I'm hoping someone can help with. My ILR application is currently with the HO and has been for around 5 months. As my passport was full and damaged, I submitted both the old passport and my new passport in order to have the ILR placed in the new passport.

My immigration adviser has informed me that when the application is processed, he will forward the new passport for the visa to be placed in it (he says they hold the passport in case we need it in emergency, but they forward everything else for the application to be processed).

My problem is that I desperately need to travel in early December and I am worried I will not have my ILR processed in time. Is it possible for me to travel on my new passport and get a letter of some sort showing that my application is being processed?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Dawie]

Firstly, what is the basis of your ILR application? Employment-related, 10-year rule or 14-year rule? Is there any reason why it would take so long? What is your current immigration status in the UK?

Secondly, it's a bit strange that the Home Office does not have your new passport in addition to your old passport. I'm pretty sure they would want to see both your passports when assessing your ILR application as your new passport will undoubtably contain information relevant to the application (even if it's empty they would still want to see the bio info page to run it through their system for security checks).

Perhaps a more relevant question is: are you dealing with an authorised immigration advisor? He sounds a bit dodgy to me.

Even if you could get a letter from the Home Office indicating that you have a pending application with them, you will find it very hard to get back into the UK with a empty passport that does not indicate your current UK immigration status with an official visa sticker or stamp. A letter is just not going to cut it.

They only way you are going to be able to travel and be assured of being able to return to the UK is to somehow get your old passport back.