Right to work and BC application

[Sibylia]

Good morning,

I have been in the UK for 9 years (fiance visa, spouse visa, ILR with Life in the UK test in 2010) and my ILR visa is currently in an expired passport. I have never had to get a BRP.

I have worked for the same company for 4 years and I have now quit and found a new job. However, I am told that I am not allowed to work unless I get a BRP. As this is an expensive process, I thought I might as well do my British citizenship application and get the BRP as part of it.

My future employer says that I need to provide them with a number to prove my BRP is being processed. Does that mean I can't work legally until I have sent my the British Application form through and then received a letter inviting me to do the BRP and then sent that through etc? Is there a quicker way for me to get all this done so I can start my new job soon?

Thank you!

[CR001]

You don't get a BRP card when you apply for citizenship. You get a certificate once approved and you attend your ceremony.

You won't be able to work without a BRP.

[Sibylia]

From what I gathered, you get an invitation to get the BRP and you should get a Case ID which allows you to work, but I might be wrong? It seems ridiculous that I should pay £250 now just to get my visa into a different passport + BRP when I could just become a citizen instead...

[CR001]

You are wrong.

You get a letter to enroll your fingerprints and photo.

A citizenship application is a different set of laws to immigration rules.

You need proof that you hold ILR. For that you need a BRP card (you only get a card not a visa in passport) if your ILR is a vignette in an expired passport.

[Sibylia]

Aah ok thank you. So the only way for me to get a new job legally now is to pay for a BRP and at a later point go for my British Citizenship? Or would I get a case ID number from just applying for citizenship and work with that?

Thank you so much for your help.

[CR001]

You get a case reference number and any employer can use the employer checking service to check your right to work, but it is entirely up to them whether they employ you without evidence of your ILR status.