Checking your immigration status is correct
If you have concerns over whether the Home Office has recorded your immigration status incorrectly, it is now possible to submit a request to check the records they hold.
We are commonly contacted by individuals who have been told that they cannot continue working because their immigration status does not allow it, whilst others have had their benefits or services abruptly terminated. On many occasions, this has been wrong and sometimes it is due to a person’s status being incorrectly recorded by the Home Office.
To tackle this issue, the Home Office has now introduced a new system that makes it possible to have your status checked, free of charge.
Who is the immigration status checking service for?
To use the service you must meet the following criteria:
- Your access to work, benefits or services must have been affected; and
- You believe that this is because your immigration status has been incorrectly recorded or shared by the Home Office.
How to check your immigration status with the Home Office
To use the new immigration status checking service, a specified form must be completed and submitted to the Home Office. In many cases, it would be advisable to also submit supporting evidence. This can include:
- A copy of the letter you received informing you that your access to work, benefits or services had stopped
- Information on who has stopped your access to work, benefits or services – e.g. details of your employer, or another government department such as HMRC, DWP, DVLA or DVA.
- Any reference numbers relating to your query – e.g. your appeal reference, Home Office reference or UAN (unique application number)
- Copies of relevant letters to support your claim – e.g. an immigration decision letter or a letter sent to your employer prompting them to check your right to work in the UK
The form must then be submitted, together with any supporting evidence, by email or by post using the below contact details:
- Email address: IC@homeoffice.gov.uk
- Postal address: Customer Correspondence Hub (IC), Lunar House, 7th Floor, 40 Wellesley Road, CR9 2BY
How long will it take to process my immigration status check?
Most individuals will receive a response within 7 working days, excluding any postage time. However, where the Home Office requires additional information or are required to carry our further checks, it may take longer.
If you are unsure whether this service is right for you or you have any other immigration enquiries, please contact one of our immigration solicitors on 020 7205 2115.
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