First UK Passport Application From Overseas

mmoeed · Post by **mmoeed** » Sun Nov 17, 2024 7:56 am

Hi all,

I hope this message finds you well.

I am reaching out to seek guidance regarding the process for applying for my wife's first British passport. Her naturalization application (Tier-2 dependent route) was approved in mid-October 2024 (received confirmation via email). Since the beginning of October 2024, she has been living with me in Saudi Arabia due to my consultancy work, which is set for six months with the possibility of an extension.

She traveled to the UK from Saudi Arabia (using her Pakistani passport) to attend the citizenship ceremony. Following the ceremony, she received naturalization certificate and returned to Saudi Arabia on the same passport.

We have a few questions regarding her passport application:

1. **Travel with e-Visa**: Since she holds an e-visa, can she travel back to the UK using her Pakistani passport and e-visa? (Please note her Biometric Residence Permit for Indefinite Leave to Remain is set to expire at the end of December 2024.)

2. **Applying from Overseas**: Is it possible for her to apply for her first British passport while living overseas?

3. **Application Process**: Can she submit her application online and send her supporting documents (including her naturalization certificate and current/old Pakistani passports) directly to the Home Office? Alternatively, could she send these documents to a friend's address in the UK, who would then use Royal Mail Special Delivery to send them to the Home Office?

Any assistance or insights you can provide on these matters would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Best regards,
Moeed

Post by **contorted_svy** » Sun Nov 17, 2024 2:17 pm

Did your wife become British under Section 6(1) or 6(2)?

If it is the former she must come back to the UK to apply or her future intentions may come under scrutiny. Her BRP/eVisa aren't formally valid - she would need to bring her citizenship certificate with her and show it at the border. As she doesn't have a valid It was a mistake not to apply for her British passport straight away as once she became British and then leave with her passport in hand.

If she became British under section 6(2) she can apply for her first British passport from abroad. She would need to send all originals to the Home Office and use her overseas address. She can't declare she has a UK address if she doesn't.

Here is what I would suggest as it is quicker (especially if she applied under Section 6(1)). She travels back to the UK showing her BRP before Dec 31, she applies for a British passport while in the UK, then returns.

mmoeed · Post by **mmoeed** » Sun Nov 17, 2024 2:46 pm

Hi there,

Thank you for your prompt response. I can confirm that she became a British citizen under section 6(2) as indicated by the certificate of naturalisation. Currently, we are residing in Saudi Arabia, and I would greatly appreciate your guidance on how she can apply for her first British passport from abroad. If you could provide a web link to apply for the First British Passport from abroad, it would be very helpful.

Additionally, could you please clarify which original documents she needs to submit to the Home Office for the application?

We also have a situation regarding addresses. She has both an overseas address and a UK address, as we own a house in the UK that is currently empty (her name reflected on our Council Tax bill). In this case, which address should she use for the application?

Lastly, can the Home Office send the British passport and original documents to an address abroad?

Thanks in advance for replying to my inquiry.

Regards,
Moeed

Post by **contorted_svy** » Sun Nov 17, 2024 2:59 pm

If you click this link https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports it will give you the correct set of documents/how to send them.

It will ask if you live abroad or in the UK. As your wife doesn't live in the UK she needs to provide her overseas address. There will be instructions on how she can receive her UK passport abroad.

mmoeed · Post by **mmoeed** » Mon Nov 18, 2024 5:11 am

Thanks a lot for the guidance. Much appreciated. She will apply for her first passport through this link. I will let you know incase we have further questions.

Regards,
Moeed

Post by **contorted_svy** » Mon Nov 18, 2024 10:24 am

If you go through the link I provided and answer all questions honestly you will be shown the documents to send, at what address, and you should be given options for international delivery too.

mmoeed · Post by **mmoeed** » Tue Nov 19, 2024 7:32 am

HI there,

Thanks for your swift response. She has applied for the passport through the link provided. I have a few questions (need clarification) on the documents that are required by Home Office. Please see the list below,

Main Documents list

1- the passport used to enter the country from which you are applying (if this applies) Are they referring to the passport she first used (has UK vignette sticker visa) to enter into the UK (it was expired long ago) ? Or they are referring to her current passport ?

2- any current or expired passports from other countries that haven’t been cancelled - send either a colour photocopy of every page (including blank pages) or the physical passport She has 4/5 expired Pakistani passports (some were issued and expired before marriage). Should i send printed colour copies of all expired passports ? Or no need to send the ones issued & expired before entering the UK ?

Additional Documents list

3- visa or residence permit (a colour photocopy will do) Is it UK BRP they are referring to ? BRP was issued more than 12 months ago (i guess that will not be acceptable). What can be submitted under this category ?

4- letter from your local council or a government department She has her name and UK home address on the Council Tax Bill, can we submit that ?

5- letter from your employer Can you please provide a sample for letter from the employer? Any guidance on this will greatly be appreciated

And 1 of the following that has your photo on it:

6- national identity card (a colour photocopy will do) She has a valid Pakistani National ID with her photo on it. Sending a colour photocopy of Pakistani CNIC will be sufficient ?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Moeed

Post by **contorted_svy** » Tue Nov 19, 2024 10:42 am

mmoeed wrote: ↑
Tue Nov 19, 2024 7:32 am
HI there,

Thanks for your swift response. She has applied for the passport through the link provided. I have a few questions (need clarification) on the documents that are required by Home Office. Please see the list below,

Main Documents list

1- the passport used to enter the country from which you are applying (if this applies) Are they referring to the passport she first used (has UK vignette sticker visa) to enter into the UK (it was expired long ago) ? Or they are referring to her current passport ? Yes

2- any current or expired passports from other countries that haven’t been cancelled - send either a colour photocopy of every page (including blank pages) or the physical passport She has 4/5 expired Pakistani passports (some were issued and expired before marriage). Should i send printed colour copies of all expired passports ? Or no need to send the ones issued & expired before entering the UK ? They want all expired passports to check her name is consistent. Send photocopies in colour of all passports that weren't cancelled (eg there is a stamp on them that states "cancelled" or a corner has been cut off them.

Additional Documents list

3- visa or residence permit (a colour photocopy will do) Is it UK BRP they are referring to ? BRP was issued more than 12 months ago (i guess that will not be acceptable). What can be submitted under this category ? Of course her BRP should be fine

4- letter from your local council or a government department She has her name and UK home address on the Council Tax Bill, can we submit that ? Why supply anything to do with a UK address if that is not where she lives?

5- letter from your employer Can you please provide a sample for letter from the employer? Any guidance on this will greatly be appreciated Ask her employer for a letter that confirms her address. HR departments know how to do this

And 1 of the following that has your photo on it:

6- national identity card (a colour photocopy will do) She has a valid Pakistani National ID with her photo on it. Sending a colour photocopy of Pakistani CNIC will be sufficient ? Yes.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Moeed

mmoeed · Post by **mmoeed** » Tue Nov 19, 2024 1:12 pm

contorted_svy wrote: ↑
Tue Nov 19, 2024 10:42 am

mmoeed wrote: ↑
Tue Nov 19, 2024 7:32 am
HI there,

Thanks for your swift response. She has applied for the passport through the link provided. I have a few questions (need clarification) on the documents that are required by Home Office. Please see the list below,

Main Documents list

1- the passport used to enter the country from which you are applying (if this applies) Are they referring to the passport she first used (has UK vignette sticker visa) to enter into the UK (it was expired long ago) ? Or they are referring to her current passport ? Yes
Yes, means the Home office is referring to the passport she first used (has UK vignette sticker visa) to enter into the UK?

2- any current or expired passports from other countries that haven’t been cancelled - send either a colour photocopy of every page (including blank pages) or the physical passport She has 4/5 expired Pakistani passports (some were issued and expired before marriage). Should i send printed colour copies of all expired passports ? Or no need to send the ones issued & expired before entering the UK ? They want all expired passports to check her name is consistent. Send photocopies in colour of all passports that weren't cancelled (eg there is a stamp on them that states "cancelled" or a corner has been cut off them.
Understood.

Additional Documents list - And 2 of the following from the last 12 months,
that shows your name and address and/or residency:

3- visa or residence permit (a colour photocopy will do) Is it UK BRP they are referring to ? BRP was issued more than 12 months ago (i guess that will not be acceptable). What can be submitted under this category ? Of course her BRP should be fine
Correction: Home office said : "And 2 of the following from the last 12 months, that shows your name and address and/or residency", Can we send her BRP(ILR) which is still valid until 31.12.2024, but issued more than 12 months ago?

4- letter from your local council or a government department She has her name and UK home address on the Council Tax Bill, can we submit that ? Why supply anything to do with a UK address if that is not where she lives?
Let me still send copy of the latest council Tax Bill (with her name & address on it) for our Main home in the UK. I hope you agree with this ?

5- letter from your employer Can you please provide a sample for letter from the employer? Any guidance on this will greatly be appreciated Ask her employer for a letter that confirms her address. HR departments know how to do this
Understood.

And 1 of the following that has your photo on it:

6- national identity card (a colour photocopy will do) She has a valid Pakistani National ID with her photo on it. Sending a colour photocopy of Pakistani CNIC will be sufficient ? Yes.
Understood.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Moeed

Post by **contorted_svy** » Tue Nov 19, 2024 1:54 pm

1- Yes, means the Home office is referring to the passport she first used (has UK vignette sticker visa) to enter into the UK? Yes, that is correct.

3- I should think that her BRP is fine. If not they will ask for more documents. I would think it is unreasonable for them to request a BRP issued in the last 12 months as they know they don't issue them that often. Do make a copy of it before you send it.

4- I don't understand why you think that sending documents related to your house in the UK where you don't live will help. Send the relevant documents you were asked for. Different addresses will only confuse matters.

mmoeed · Post by **mmoeed** » Wed Nov 20, 2024 7:28 am

contorted_svy wrote: ↑
Tue Nov 19, 2024 1:54 pm
1- Yes, means the Home office is referring to the passport she first used (has UK vignette sticker visa) to enter into the UK? Yes, that is correct. Understood

3- I should think that her BRP is fine. If not they will ask for more documents. I would think it is unreasonable for them to request a BRP issued in the last 12 months as they know they don't issue them that often. Do make a copy of it before you send it. Understood

4- I don't understand why you think that sending documents related to your house in the UK where you don't live will help. Send the relevant documents you were asked for. Different addresses will only confuse matters. We have a proof of address in Saudi Arabia (it is called national address certificate issued by Saudi government that shows her name and address), sending that document to Home Office will fulfill this requirement ?

Post by **contorted_svy** » Wed Nov 20, 2024 7:33 am

What address did you declare for the application? You need to send proof of that address.

mmoeed · Post by **mmoeed** » Wed Nov 20, 2024 10:37 am

Thanks for your swift response, contorted_svy

We provided the Saudi Arabia home address in the Passport application, and that's where HO will send the passport & return documents. This means that we should provide the national address certificate issued by Saudi government showing Mrs. name and address on it.

Please confirm ?

Thanks in advance.

Regadrs,
M.

Post by **contorted_svy** » Wed Nov 20, 2024 11:11 am

Correct. Confirm the address in Saudi Arabia through the official documents you have.

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