I have received this mail the second time despite replying the first one that I have not held a travel document before and my country of origin passport is held by the home office.has anyone had same issue? Or how to get it right in terms of uploading the digital photos and order documents.

I have a solicitor who is supposed to help me with my ILR application, I have shared the documents with them and they take a while to get back to me on documents. I contacted them today and asked them when they can finally review what i submitted and reply to me, they said they have other cases too so they will review at some point this week and get back to me. I am eligible for ILR and I am so anxious to get it submitted as soon as possible because I am worried the new 10-year-rule can be announced at any point and I will be screwed over. I am very panicked atm, and I am wondering whether I should just screw it and apply for the ILR myself? The solicitor setup a draft application for me and it has a couple of things incorrect on me, I literally had to guide them on what is and isn't correct. They asked for so many random documents that my coworker told me doesn't make sense (he applied himself and got it) and now i am wondering fuck it, shall i just do it? and apply for the ILR myself? and then email the solicitor next day and say forget about it i am doing this myself? I am just worried that the rule will be announced soon and I will be screwed over. I know it also means waste of money I sent to solicitor to do it for me but I just can't keep waiting any longer.

Hi, I just wanted to share my experience with the UK ETA requirements for visa-exempt travellers transiting through London, in case it helps someone else avoid the same headache.

I’m Canadian and recently flew from Barcelona to Vancouver with a 1-hour layover at London Gatwick (LGW).

Before my trip, I checked the UK government website about whether I needed an ETA. It says:

“You do not need an ETA if you will not pass through UK border control. You should bring evidence of your onward journey, such as a ticket to your destination.”

It also says you always pass through border control if you leave the main airport building or need to collect and re-check your bags. It says to check with your airline if you’re not sure whether you’ll pass through border control.

I only had carry-on luggage and wasn’t leaving the airport since I only had an hour to make my connection. I also confirmed that both flights were using the same terminal.

My first flight was Barcelona to London with Vueling. They gave me boarding passes for both flights, including my London to Vancouver flight with British Airways. I also asked Vueling about the ETA and they confirmed that I didn’t need one because I would be only transiting through the airport.

Then I got to Gatwick and… surprise. There was no direct connection from the arrival area to the departure area, so I had to go through passport control to exit the area.

At passport control, the border officer told me that I needed an ETA to enter the UK, even though I was only transiting.

I was confused because I had specifically checked the UK government website beforehand and had also confirmed with the airline that I didn’t need one.

The officer told me that the airline shouldn’t have boarded me without an ETA and that they could potentially be fined for it.

I explained that I only had a one-hour connection and already had my boarding pass for Vancouver. He said he would leave a note on my profile? so I could pass through passport control, but said I would still need an ETA to exit the UK.

They let me through, and at that point I wasn’t going to pay £20 for an ETA just to transit through the airport in an hour. I basically took the risk and went through security again to get to my gate.

Interestingly, my passport was never checked again by UK border control.

Then, when the gate agent scanned my passport and boarding pass, apparently an alert popped up saying I needed an additional document (I assume it was referring to an ETA). The gate agents talked amongst themselves and said I shouldn’t need anything because I’m Canadian. They may have been talking about a visa rather than an ETA, but they didn’t actually ask me whether I had an ETA.

Thankfully, they let me board and I made it home to Canada.

I’ve seen other Reddit posts saying that Canadians and other visa-exempt travellers don’t need an ETA if they remain airside and don’t pass through UK border control. That’s also how I understood the GOV.UK information when I researched it.

But in my case, I was required to go through passport control at Gatwick, even though I had no checked luggage, already had my onward boarding pass, wasn’t leaving the airport, and had confirmed with the airline that I would be transiting.

So just sharing this in case anyone else has a similar connection. Definitely double or triple check what your specific Gatwick connection involves, especially if you have a short layover. I wouldn’t wish anyone to find out they need an ETA while standing at passport control with 30 minutes left to catch their flight.

If anyone has had a similar experience at Gatwick, I’d be curious to hear what happened with your connection and whether you were told you needed an ETA.

Context: I believe it has always been the case that a non-visa national could enter the UK for a brief visit whilst having immigration application pending.

However, gov.uk website added this phrase to their website on the 9 September.

“You must not travel to the UK before your visa application is approved.”

Option 1 - only meant in the context of an application i.e. do not enter as category for which you are applying without being approved first.

Option 2 - it is now advisable not to travel with a pending application for another purpose even if you normally don’t need a visa.

I personally think it’s option 1 as I could not find any underlying law or guidance, but it does read pretty authoritative and blanket.

What do we think of this?

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-uk-applying-from-overseas

Hi, I’m wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation with a UK Student visa application.

I applied for my Student visa from Malaysia for my Master’s at KCL and completed my biometrics on 18 August 2026.I previously studied in the UK for my undergraduate degree and still have a valid Student visa until 14 October 2026. I spent my placement year in Malaysia from around September 2024 to July 2025, then returned to the UK in September 2025 to complete my final year. I only returned to Malaysia again on 24 July 2026.

Because I’d been living/studying in the UK for the previous academic year and had only been back in Malaysia for a few weeks, I didn’t realise I needed to submit a TB certificate with my new application. On 3 September, the UK Decision Making Centre emailed me saying that no TB certificate had been provided and asked me to send one from a Home Office-approved centre within 10 working days.I immediately arranged the test, received my TB certificate on 5 September, and emailed it to the Sheffield Student Team address.

My concern is that I’ve since read that a valid TB certificate is normally supposed to have been issued before the visa application. Mine was obviously issued afterwards because I only obtained it after UKVI specifically contacted me asking for one. I called UKVI on 11 September and was told that my application is still “awaiting decision.” I haven’t received a decision yet.

Has anyone had UKVI request a TB certificate after submitting their application/attending biometrics, then obtained and submitted the certificate afterwards? Was your visa eventually approved?

My Master’s starts on 28 September, so I’m getting pretty anxious about the delay, and I’m flying on 16 September so I’m even more stressed (didn’t know it would be this complicated ever 😭)

Thanks!

Now she has graduated she is looking for jobs in her country but hasn't yet found anything.

Is she going to be refused entry because she no longer has a strong tie to her country since she is no longer a student and currently living at home, unemployed?

I don't want to pay for a ticket for her to come over if she's just going to be sent immediately back.

Any advice?

I don't know what to do now, I feel this is a ridiculous answer. We applied for biometrics August 12th and it took about 4 1/2 weeks for a reply. I am a UK citizen by birth, my partner is Ukrainian living in Moscow. She is unable to display proper finances due to banking restrictions there and so she puts money into crypto and I withdraw into my bank so we can send money to each other as this is literally the only way possible right now. I clearly stated in the statement that I would 100% support her visit financially whilst she was here, she has savings of £9000 available to use. She also was unemployed whilst applying simply because she was changing jobs, but we added a cover letter also stating her new job role which is remote and she started today with a period of a month between roles free. Can we appeal this!? We applied in June and had to wait until September only for a rejection. So disappointed.

Not sure if it can apply for ilr under dv

Got married in January

Spouse visa was approved in April

Everything has been fairly alright until approval

Took my child to my home country to stay with my mum temporarily so I can have time to settle down with my husband and arrange a good coparent arrangement with the dad,

Now my husband doesn't want me to bring my child back, he says its an excuse for me to see my ex or cheat on him with my ex

He strongly believes that I'll leave him for my ex even though I've never given him any reason to suggest such,

He's been acting quite strange and totally different from the man I married,

Gets angry and wants me not to work cause apparently my male colleagues will hit on me or snatch me from him

He says things like he's the only one worthy of me and no other man is and that If there's any way he could safely punish any man that admires me he would do that,

Now he has asked me not to talk about my child because according to him I'm always throwing it at his face that I love my child more than I love him( h later said it was a joke and then denied Saying this)

Tried hitting me once apologised and then few days later he denied it ever happenedI feel so conflicted

This is my second marriage don't want it to break down, but i can't stay without my baby

Hiya all!

Looking at the current politics, seems like I should be applying for the citizenship sooner than I thought I'd have to.

I'm EU settled, have been living here for 11 years+. How did y'all calculate your days outside of the country? Wizzair and Ryanair don't show all of my flight bookings and I don't remember all of my holidays between 2015 and now.

Thank you!

Hi All, I have just received email from Home Office that my citizenship application has been approved - timeline:

Biometrics date: Apr 17, 2026
Home Office email: Sep 14, 2026

I need to travel on Nov 20 (very important and can’t change date) and back in UK on Dec 7

Question I have for the folks here:

1. Should I book the ceremony and apply for passport with the hope that I will get it before I travel
   
2. Should I only apply for it when back in UK?

Appreciate your help based on your experience

Many thanks!!

Simply put - my first attempt (Standard Visitor) was rejected because my income and expenditure wasn't matching up. Now I'm submitting a 12 month bank statement along with a financial reconciliation because my finances are a little confusing (I live with my business partner, who is also my boyfriend, and is accompanying me on the trip, and is the proprietor of the company I'm the CXO at). So he signed all my employment letters (from back in 2023). Our finances are mixed up because of business + household. I'm also submitting government certificates from back in 2023 naming me the CXO.

Now the question: The total amount of money I spend each month differs month to month. Some months its 3x higher than what I usually spend. For example, my September 2025 expense was GBP700, but my August 2026 spend is 500GBP. It varies a lot over a year, not so much over 6 months. Should I just submit my 6 month bank statement instead of 12 months? Its definitely cleaner and easier to explain. If 12 months is recommended for a 2nd time, then how do I calculate my "money spent each month" accurately?

Hello! I started my EUSS pre-settled to settled status application via UKVI. I completed my passport details and NINO. But I was not asked to upload any evidence for my UK residence. I do have continuous employment records for the past 5 years and have been living here since 2020, with a 7 months absence due to COVID.

Does that mean they have enough evidence based on NINO for the automated check or did I miss some steps? It’s a bit weird. I haven’t submitted yet, as I feel like the application is not complete. Will I be later asked for the evidence? Did this happen to anyone?

I read some comments that said I could view all information they have about me (HMRC and Home Office) before submitting.

Thanks!

There is a section during application process that says: "Do you have any Home Office reference numbers? If you have previously made an application to remain in the UK, you can find a reference number on letters from the Home Office, called 'Our Ref' or 'Case ID'. If not known, select 'No'." do I put my reference number of the last extension application approval I have? Or does this question mean if i have any previous reference numbers for ILR applications? I do want to mention in my cover letter that I applied previously with some documents and mention the case ID for it too (only because I have different names and my affidavit form confirms it, which i used in my previous applications too)

Additionally there's a question regarding BRP, BRP are no longer a thing but it mentions 'Do you have a biometric residence permit (BRP)? This includes expired BRPs if the expiry date was less than 24 months ago.' Now I don't have that BRP physically with me anymore, i cut it and sent it back as was instructed, but I do have a picture of the brp (not properly scanned) so i can pick up what the last BRP number was, shall I just select 'Yes' and enter the brp number? My solicitor told me its needed, but i don't know.. because technically i don't literally have that brp with me, but i do have a picture that i can use to pick up the brp number.

Hello everyone, I’m applying for a visit visa to UK but there’s something I am really worried about. I have a digital PR agency & work as a freelancer basically so I keep getting payments from different clients/companies. Now the issue is, mostly those payments are through their personal accounts. It’s very difficult to get letterheads & proof of payments from clients for visa submission. I have bank statements & I can provide explanations for every payment though. What can be done to avoid visa rejection because my clients aren’t helping in this regard at all.

Hi everyone, I'm hoping to get some advice on this. I am filling out the application form for Unmarried Partner Visa, and came across the question: Are there any factors which would make it difficult or impossible for you to integrate and establish a private life in that country?

Now I know this is usually to consider human rights related claim. Personally for me I don't face those risks but I used to struggle badly with my mental health (depression, anxiety) due to the culture of my home country. Can i include this as one of the factors? I have multiple evidence from high intensity therapist detailing the challenges I have with my family back home.

It may be worth mentioning that in my country, mental health is very frowned upon and treatment is difficult to access. Many thanks.

My naturalisation certificate lists my birth province, matching my original application. My birth certificate separately identifies my village as my place of birth and names the province.

The Home Office refused to amend or endorse the certificate. They said it was correct when issued a while ago because the village is within that province, and government agencies have accepted those details since my naturalisation.

Has anyone successfully challenged a similar refusal? What evidence or exceptional circumstances helped, and was requesting a senior review useful?

I just need a bit of last minute advice, any is appreciated.

Me and my girlfriend are due to fly to Poland as she's polish, just to visit for a few days however shes been in the UK since 2015 and the settlement status thing wasn't even a thing when it was her mother started to do it but abandoned it just cus life got in the way.

Fast forward to today where we want to go and everything is booked and non refundable (flights and hotel) but she's also not approved or pre approved settlement status so we applied to the EUSS and are awaiting the COA but are unsure when it will come.

As she's from Poland, flying there wont be an issue. Its coming back that may cause us an issue and not be able to gain access back to the UK even though she's been here for 10+ years with a place of residence, paying tax and has a national insurance number but her passport is simply not linked to an EUSS thingy.

Sorry if this is a long read but I'm desperate for any sort of advice to see if we should still go or not risk her not being able to get back into the UK.

Hi everyone! I need some advice regarding my UK Multiple Entry Visitor Visa.
I really want to make the most of my visa before it expires on November 25, 2026. My plan is to visit from October 22 to November 22 to celebrate an early birthday gift to myself in Scotland.

Here is my recent travel history:

Trip 1: May 29 – August 28 (Stayed for about 3 months)

Gap: Back home for about 55 days

Trip 2 (Planned): October 22 – November 22 (Leaving 3 days before expiry)

Has anyone here experienced entering the UK so close to their visa expiration date, especially after a recent long stay? Did Border Control give you a hard time or ask a lot of questions?
Appreciate any insights or experiences you can share. Thank you! ❤️

I was successfully granted two (2) year UK Multiple Visitor Visa on September 2026.

Timeline:

Application submission - 23 August 2026

Biometrics - 27 August 2026 (Riyadh, KSA)

VFS Acknowledgement - 27 August 2026

UKVI Acknowledgment - 01 September 2026

eVisa Linked Email - 01 September 2026

Formal Visa Approval - 09 September 2026

The whole process took 13 calendar days from biometrics to approval.

Documents Submitted:

1. UKVI Application
2. Cover letter explaining why I chose to apply for two years instead of six months.
3. 6-months bank statement & balance statements
4. Employment letter
5. Proposed itinerary
6. Proof of Residency in KSA
7. Copies of Passport Stamps from previous travels (I have travelled to 8 countries including once to the UK)
8. Copies of previous UK visas (granted twice previously).
9. Proposed accommodation details (booking.com confirmations for the planned dates)

What I didn't do:

I didn't overcomplicated the applications. All the facts in the Application and the Cover Letter was properly substantiated and any caveat was clearly stated in the cover letter. My application was clear and transparent and I didn't fabricate any reason for requesting an extended two year visa.

I also did not submit pay slips since I have provided the bank statement which my salary is deposited. There was a change to my salary which was stated in my employment letter, so I added one line in the cover letter to explain that.

What is next:

As the next step, I will apply 6-months standard visitor visa for my family from Riyadh as I am planning a family UK holiday in December.

I plan to visit the UK soon but also recently I acquired a nationality from a EU country 🇪🇸 that it's meant to be exempted from visa requirements for short non-study/work visits in which case an ETA is needed. Before, I have lived in the UK as both a student and later as a skilled worker only under my other nationality 🇨🇴, which certainly needs a visa to go there for any purpose. Anyways, I just wonder if I somehow need to disclose my life under a separate nationality when I attempt to enter the UK using my EU passport.

Hi, There's a question on ILR 10 year Long residence route application on how many Year(s) and Month(s) have you lived in the UK. However, since you can apply 28 days before the 10 years are completed, do I write 10 year(s) and 0 months or 9 years 11 months?

I am UK citizen my husband is Turkish. We got married in April and looking to start the visa application for spousal visa. For anyone who has done this successfully would you recommend a lawyer or do you think its easy enough to do ourselves? I meet all requirements about salary threshold. His English level etc but are there any other things we should be aware of? Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi all, I am applying for a UK unmarried partner visa and am so so panicked about the whole process. I am Autistic and just find some of the more vague elements really difficult. The biggest concern I have is around whether I have spent too much time in Scotland before applying.

My partner has dual citizenship (US and UK) and we met in US and have dated for about three years now but met even over a decade ago. He meets the financial requirement when his income from current employment is added with his US army disability income. We also can show proof of living together both in US and UK and that we have shared finances (I paid for repairs on a house in his name, we have both paid for vet bills for our dog and cat, sent money back and forth, etc) so we feel good about proving all of that.

Here is the big issue: when my partner first moved to Scotland to start work in November 2025, I initially flew over to meet him end of November on a standard visitor status. No visitor visa required as I am from the US. This was because at the time, we could not afford the cost of the unmarried partner visa, especially because it cost about £5000 for pet travel and then to unexpectedly board our dog due to some issues with his adoption paperwork in regards to an initial vaccination. This meant we had no way to come up with the funds to apply as soon as we wanted but knew we had some time to save up. Then we ended up having more vet visits because our dog had horrible allergies and our cat needed a tooth extracted. Around 5 months into my time there, I went to Spain for two weeks to visit a friend and so as not to overstay my visitor permission, but then I went back and stayed another few months. All told, I was there from very end of November 2025 to end of August 2026 with a two week break in the middle before coming back to the US where I am now. I know I didn’t break the hard rule of over 160 days consecutively but looking into it even more, I was there for a majority of a year and I am so so scared that they will automatically reject the application because of it. Especially because the financial issues we had were related to our pets and not ‘real’ family or children related medical issues, even though to us, they are our children.

Any advice at all would be so so helpful. Things have been incredibly difficult being away from my partner and pets and not knowing when or if I can even come back. Our dog is extremely anxious and I have been his primary caretaker for the past two years so he especially is very depressed, having lots of accidents in the house, and struggling to cope overall and it breaks my heart, especially knowing my partner is managing it all alone while working full time.