Ask the Home Office to check your immigration status is correct
gov.uk change note: The paper form has been replaced with an online form.
Headline
The Home Office has replaced a downloadable form for checking immigration status with an online-only service, removing postal and email submission options.
Changes in detail
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Service scope clarification — The guidance now explicitly states this service is for three specific scenarios: when the Home Office shared wrong status with other departments/banks, when wrong status stopped access to services, or when applicants don't have an eVisa. Previously, the scope was less clearly defined.
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Form submission method — Old position: Download and complete an ODT form, then send by email to UKVI.IC@homeoffice.gov.uk or post to a specific address → New position: Complete an online form only, with a "Start now" button.
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Document submission — Old position: Email documents in PDF/JPG format or post copies → New position: Upload documents directly to the online form.
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Requirements for representatives — Old position: "written permission" that must be "signed and dated" → New position: A specific "letter of authority" that must include the person's name in block capitals, signature, date within last 12 months, and confirmation of authorisation for immigration issues.
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Alternative contact method — Old position: Specific postal address and email address provided → New position: Generic instruction to "write to the Home Office" with contact details, with no specific address given.
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Response timeframe wording — Old position: "We'll try to respond within 7 working days" → New position: "You should get a response within 7 working days."
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Cost information removed — The explicit statement "This is a free service" has been deleted.
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eVisa error reporting separated — The guidance now clearly distinguishes this service from eVisa error reporting, directing users to a different process for eVisa personal detail errors.
Practical implications
Practitioners must now direct clients to use the online form exclusively - email and postal submissions are no longer available. The service scope is more narrowly defined, so practitioners need to ensure clients meet one of the three specific criteria before using this route.
For representatives acting on behalf of clients, the letter of authority requirements are now more stringent - ensure the letter includes all four specified elements and is dated within 12 months.
Clients without eVisas who have status issues should use this service, while those with eVisa personal detail errors need the separate eVisa error reporting process.
Administrative changes
References to accessibility issues and the accessible documents policy have been removed. The privacy notice references were updated to use lowercase formatting ("privacy information notice" and "personal information charter").
Diff
@@ -1,122 +1,99 @@ -If you find an error with your eVisa digital status you will need to report this using the Report an error with your eVisa form. You will receive an email to advise you when the issue has been resolved. You do not need to call UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) or chase your request. - - - -For help creating, accessing, or using your UKVI account to view your digital status refer to Get access to your eVisa for support and guidance. - - - - -To ask the Home Office to check your immigration status, you need to: +Ask the Home Office to check your immigration status is correct if: -- - - -complete the - request form (ODT, 13.4 KB) +- you believe the Home Office shared the wrong immigration status with another government department or a bank +- the wrong immigration status has stopped you accessing work, benefits or services -- - - -send it to the Home Office with any documents you have - +- you do not have an eVisa (a digital record of your immigration status) -If you’re using an iPhone or iPad, you may need to use an editing application to complete the form. +There is a different way to report an error with your eVisa – for example, if your personal details are wrong. -## Documents you can send + Start now -You can include: +You can upload documents to the online form. + + + +## Before you start + + + +You should have copies of any documents you have that show your immigration status and how it has affected you. + + + +This could include: -- - +- a copy of the letter you received telling you your access to work, benefits or services has stopped + +- information about who stopped your access to work, benefits or services – for example, an employer, a bank or a government department + +- reference numbers relating to your contact with another government department, if you have any + +- copies of letters that support your immigration status – for example, an immigration decision letter, or a letter you sent to your employer prompting them to check your right to work in the UK + +- a copy of the leaflet you received from your bank, telling you your account was closed or your application for an account was denied + +- any other documents that may help your claim -a copy of the letter you received telling you your access to work, benefits or services has stopped + + - -- - -information about who stopped your access to work, benefits or services – for example, an employer, a bank or a government department - - -- - - -reference numbers relating to your contact with another government department, if you have any - - -- - - -copies of letters that support your immigration status – for example, an immigration decision letter, or a letter you sent to your employer prompting them to check your right to work in the UK - - -- - - -a copy of the leaflet you received from your bank, telling you your account was closed or your application for an account was denied - - -- - - -any other documents that may help your claim - +You do not need to send any documents to make a request, but you will get an answer more quickly if you do. -You do not need to send us any documents, but we’ll answer you more quickly if you do. +Your documents must be in English or Welsh. -We can only accept documents in English or Welsh. +## If you are asking on behalf of someone else -If you’re applying on behalf of someone else, we must have written permission from them to discuss their case with you. They must sign and date this written permission, and you must send it with the completed form and documents. +You must have a copy of a ‘letter of authority’ from the other person. This is a letter written by the other person, giving the Home Office permission to discuss their case with you. -## Where to send them +The letter of authority must include: + + + +- the name of the other person, written in block capitals + +- their signature + +- the date it was signed – this must be within the last 12 months + +- confirmation that you are authorised to act on their behalf on immigration issues -## Email + +## If you cannot use the online form -Email your completed form and any documents to UKVI.IC@homeoffice.gov.uk. +You can write to the Home Office to ask them to check your immigration status. Include your contact details. -This email address is only for people to check their immigration status if it was shared with another government department or a bank. For anything else, contact UKVI. - - - -Documents other than the form should be in PDF or JPG format. - - - -## Post - - - -Send your completed form and any documents to: +Put copies of your documents in the same envelope. Do not send original documents. @@ -132,23 +109,15 @@ -## Cost - - - -This is a free service. - - - ## What happens afterwards -We’ll try to respond within 7 working days of receiving your form. It may take longer if we need more time to find your immigration status. +You should get a response within 7 working days. It may take longer if you do not include documents, or the Home Office needs more time to find your immigration status. -We’ll contact you using the details you provided in the form. +The Home Office will contact you using the details you provided. @@ -156,13 +125,4 @@ -The Home Office hold and process personal information supplied or collected for a number of specified purposes including enforcing immigration laws. You can find more information on how your information is processed in the Home Office Privacy Information Notice and the Home Office Personal Information Charter. - - - - -We are aware this publication may have accessibility issues. We are reviewing it so that we can fix these. - - - -Read more about our accessible documents policy. +The Home Office holds and processes personal information supplied or collected for a number of specified purposes including enforcing immigration laws. You can find more information on how your information is processed in the Home Office privacy information notice and the Home Office personal information charter.