Forum Immigration UK

by **mellowd** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:06 pm

Hi there.

I'm writing this now, as I don't want any nasty surprises in 2010. I have a South African passport which expires in 2010. I am married to my Hungarian wife. I am currently on a 5 year residence visa as a family member of a EEA citizen. This visa expires in 2012.

What is the process for renewing my passport with current visa? If I send my passport in for renewal will I get the new one and old one back? What if they get lost? How can I prove that I am legal here? Secondly, if I only get a new one or they lose it in transit, how do I prove to the home office that Iim currently on a residence visa?

This is my first passport I've ever had, and this is the first time I'm doing this, so I'm at a complete loss as to how this works.

Any information would be extremely helpful!

Thanks!

by **Plum70** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 3:39 pm

mellowd wrote:Hi there.
I'm writing this now, as I don't want any nasty surprises in 2010. I have a South African passport which expires in 2010. I am married to my Hungarian wife. I am currently on a 5 year residence visa as a family member of a EEA citizen. This visa expires in 2012.
What is the process for renewing my passport with current visa? If I send my passport in for renewal will I get the new one and old one back? What if they get lost? How can I prove that I am legal here? Secondly, if I only get a new one or they lose it in transit, how do I prove to the home office that Iim currently on a residence visa?
This is my first passport I've ever had, and this is the first time I'm doing this, so I'm at a complete loss as to how this works.
Any information would be extremely helpful!
Thanks!

Have copies of your old passport (data page, visa page and observations page especially ) notarised or certified by a solicitor/your embassy b4 sending it in for renewal. Bear in mind that by renewing your passport you would have to apply for a new UK Residence Card if you wish your current one transferred to your new passport.
Hope this helps

by **mellowd** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 4:33 pm

Plum70 wrote:Have copies of your old passport (data page, visa page and observations page especially ) notarised or certified by a solicitor/your embassy b4 sending it in for renewal. Bear in mind that by renewing your passport you would have to apply for a new UK Residence Card if you wish your current one transferred to your new passport.
Hope this helps

Thanks. Essentially that means I'll get my passport back, then have to send in all my old documents again to get another permit again? That means I have to wait another 6 months again?

by **Plum70** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 7:44 pm

Thanks. Essentially that means I'll get my passport back, then have to send in all my old documents again to get another permit again? That means I have to wait another 6 months again?

Yes, upon getting a new passport you have two options:

1. Carry both old and new passport around when necessary OR
2. Reapply afresh for another UK Residence Card to be affixed in new passport (which should have same validity period as the initial) but risk waiting up to 6 months for it.