ILR application - I no longer have my old expired passport

[Hisham_5101]

Hi everyone,

Just preparing for my ILR application (5 year on Tier 2 General work permit). I can see on the form that submitting old expired passports is required (maybe especially if they have UK entry stamps and absences).

The text on SET(O) form (page 71):

"You should provide all previous passports, travel documents or national identity cards that you have used to travel to or remain in the UK. This also applies to any dependant included in the application. "

However, I no longer have my old passport (non-biometric, expired, returned to the Algerian consulate and replaced with the biometric one which is my current passport). That old passport had some entry stamps which I'll be using as absences (I had recorded all those in a file). My guts tell me UKBA won't need it because they can check my absences on their system and the fact that it's been returned to the local authorities is a good excuse for me not to include it. Am I correct in assuming that? Should I just include a letter explaining why I can't include it? Or should I get in touch with the consulate (very difficult / bureaucracy) and try and get it back or get a letter from them? I mean, after all, I have the latest biometric valid passport and UKBA has ALL my details (inc. absences) on their system so why require old passports!!! Pointless I think

I'm so confused and any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Hisham

[iworker]

include a letter. Should be fine.

[bruska-hama]

Hi Hisham,
I have a similar situation. What happened to your application? my previous passport have been withdrawn by my government. I have explained that in a cover letter. Is that enough? I am going to apply in Sheffield Premium centre. Where did you apply? thanks

[vinny]

Don’t assume that the UKBA have records of your entries and exits.

Best to make copies of all your passport(s) pages and keep boarding cards, etc.

[Hisham_5101]

Bruska, yes a letter was enough to explain why the old passport wasn't included. Not sure if Vinny is right though regarding the fact that UKBA don't hold information about all your entries/exit. I think they do but they want you to include the info so they can check. If there's a problem at the Premium centre they'll get in touch with you and ask you to rectify or provide more information (that's the whole purpose of having Premium so you avoid rejection / delays for silly reasons). I went to Croydon but that makes no difference as long as it is Premium. For my entries/exit on my old passport, I luckily had them all scanned except the last trip for which I searched in my email inbox (and found the inbound/outbound flight dates). So even if you no longer have your old passport I'm sure there's ways you can find info about your old entries/exit.
Good luck!

[bruska-hama]

Thank you very much for the information

[Henda1988]

Hi Hisham and Brusha _Hama,
Iam in a similar situation and im going to send a covering letter tomorrow to explain the reason why I cannot include my old passport . Im panicking guys because it sais you must provide your old passport and personally I have renewed my passport recently and unfortunately my previous one has been withdrawn by the govermant.I just wana know what happened with you guys did you get the decision from the Home Office ,did they ask you to provide other documents to proove your previous travel record or what exactly ? LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING from you as soon as possible please brothers im desperate and im really excited to know what happened with both of you ? God bless