passport amendment and visa transfer

Has anyone had this problem yet, and if so, what did you do?

I would like to update my passport to show my married name but was worried about what would happen to my visa if I did so.  I wrote to the US Embassy who replied:

The U.S. Embassy does not have the authority to transfer visas or stamps issued by other countries. When you renew your passport, your old passport will be cancelled and returned to you with your new one; you should then contact the appropriate authority of the issuing country for further instruction. For information regarding the transfer of your status in the UK to your new passport, you should contact the UK Home Office.

If I choose to go ahead and get a new passport will the UK transfer the visa and how much would it be (I assume it costs as nothing seems to be free in these situations)? 

Is there a better time to do this, i.e. after I get my ILR, which is October of next year (fingers crossed)?

Advice would be greatly appreciated.

Jenn

I'm reasonably certain that it's just a matter of carrying both passports with you - the one with your new name and the one with your visa. But you may also then have to carry your marriage certificate - I'm honestly not 100% positive.

But what I can tell you is what I'm doing.... I changed my name on everything except my passport when I got married. I book flights in my maiden name. I'll be applying for ILR in September and so I'm going to apply for a new passport over the summer and have my new visa put in that....

Not sure if that's helpful - I hope so.... 

i had a work permit FLR stamp in my old passport.  it was due to expire so I had it renewed at the US embassy in london.  for the next 1 1/2 i carried two passports with me whenever i travelled.  one was valid with picture, etc.  the other had my still valid FLR stamp in it.

a few months ago I went for my FLR stamp renewal.  i had it stamped into my new passport.  now i only have to carry my new passport around with me. 

I'll be applying for ILR in September and so I'm going to apply for a new passport over the summer and have my new visa put in that....

Not sure if that's helpful - I hope so....

Thanks for the input.  I think I'll probably just wait on it then.  I'm curious to see how that works out for you.  Good luck! 

Has anyone had this problem yet, and if so, what did you do?

I would like to update my passport to show my married name but was worried about what would happen to my visa if I did so.  I wrote to the US Embassy who replied:

The U.S. Embassy does not have the authority to transfer visas or stamps issued by other countries. When you renew your passport, your old passport will be cancelled and returned to you with your new one; you should then contact the appropriate authority of the issuing country for further instruction. For information regarding the transfer of your status in the UK to your new passport, you should contact the UK Home Office.

If I choose to go ahead and get a new passport will the UK transfer the visa and how much would it be (I assume it costs as nothing seems to be free in these situations)? 

Is there a better time to do this, i.e. after I get my ILR, which is October of next year (fingers crossed)?

Advice would be greatly appreciated.

Jenn

Wow... Jenn don't worry I just did that and just returned may 2nd from my trip... IO just advised to carry both passports for every visit just to show you have a history of coming and going on time yadda yadda yadda...  I have been back and forth 3 times since Sept 2005 and haven't had any major problems

CJ

I'll have to go look again to check my memory, but I thought I remembered it not costing to transfer FLR to a new passport, but if you do it with ILR it costs a ton and makes it worth carrying two passports.  If that is the case, I would get it transferred beforehand and save yourself the grief. 

Okay, I just looked.  The info is one of the earliest posts in the visa and citizenship board of the forum--one on transferring FLR or ILR to a new passport.  You will get better information there.  If I were you, I'd look strongly at changing it now while it's free as an FLR, but you will have to do it in person at a Public Enquiry Office.  You can't do it by post anymore.

Excuse me if I got this mixed up.  I'm still sorting this out myself.  I was going to just expedite my passport that is up for renewal next year, but the idea of being stuck waiting for my US passport to come back while DF has taken time off work so he doesn't have to leave me is beginning to make me nervous.  I think I may just break down and go this route as well then either transfer the visa or carry two passports.

That is an old thread.  It is no longer free.


Victoria

Just carry both passports - it's not a big deal and it's no hassle to transfer any visas.

That is an old thread.  It is no longer free.

Ah, I knew it was too good to be true!!  I thought it was odd that Her Majesty's Government left something that they couldn't charge me hundreds of pounds for!  Any idea on what the costs are now?  Someone should post that in that thread since it is a sticky one that stays on top.  I guess I will be carrying two passports after all-oh well.  Thanks for the update though.

I'm pretty sure it's the full £335....

Vicky

I'm pretty sure it's the full £335....

thanks, that's what I figured.  How insane is that?  Just for a stamp when we already have the visa!!  I love government!  I thought I was going to wait and get my passport done first, but it's not working out.  If it really costs that full amount, which I'm sure it does, I will definitely just get used to carrying two passports.  The good news being that it shouldn't be for too long since I am just starting the process and will have to apply for ILR after a bit anyway.