American in UK with limited leave to remain - has just become Irish Citizen. What now?

[sarcasticapple]

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can help with this query, it's probably quite an unusual situation! My wife is a US citizen who moved to the UK (Northern Ireland) 5 years ago. She currently has a spouse/partner residence permit, which expires in December 2018. The thing is, she has just last month become an Irish citizen through naturalisation. As far as I know this gives her full rights to live in the UK, without the need for a residence permit or visa.

So I was thinking, she no longer needs her residence permit, as she now has an Irish passport. What I can't figure out is, how are we supposed to inform the Home Office of this? I'm not sure what office to contact, or what proof to send. Has anyone else had experience of this? ie. moving to the UK needing a visa/residence permit, but then gaining Irish or other EU citizenship which meant a visa was no longer necessary?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

[alterhase58]

As she gained Irish citizenship she is covered by the common travel area (CTA) which is separate from EU arrangements and won't change after 29.3.2019. Suggest you write to UKVI (Liverpool office) enclosing copies of the residence permit and the Irish passport, and advising them of the facts. Don't send originals unless they request them officially. Don't have experience of this but this is the practical approach I would take.

[sarcasticapple]

As she gained Irish citizenship she is covered by the common travel area (CTA) which is separate from EU arrangements and won't change after 29.3.2019. Suggest you write to UKVI (Liverpool office) enclosing copies of the residence permit and the Irish passport, and advising them of the facts. Don't send originals unless they request them officially. Don't have experience of this but this is the practical approach I would take.

Thank you that's very helpful, I was just wondering why do you think the Liverpool office is the best to contact?

[alterhase58]

Liverpool is the only address I know - suggest look at your paperwork and use the address you have.