lost passport/NTL/general panic

long time, no see 

So, after searching high and low, I have come to the conclusion that my US passport is lost forever.

I have ILR which I got in person at the Liverpool office in (I think) 2007.  I understand that I need to get a new passport from the embassy in London and that I must apply for a "No Time Limit" stamp in the new passport.

I have a couple of questions if anyone has any answers

1.  what's the waiting time like for postal NTL applications? I heard 14 weeks but I cannot find where I got that number now.

2.  my lack of funds aside, would applying in person be pointless?  In other words, does my having lost my previous passport constitute a "non-straightforward" application? As I went in person, I never received a letter from the Home Office confirming my ILR.

3.  finally, does the NTL require the same amount/type of supporting documents proving my residence as my original application for ILR?

any help would be appreciated. I've had a rough time lately and this is an extra headache I really don't need.  It's left me feeling oddly vulnerable and kind of state-less. I wish I had some other proof that I have a right to live and work here 

well, if no one has any suggestions, has anyone recently had to go through this?

I searched the archives a few times but cannot find any recent information.

or has anyone lost or had stolen their passport?

I have no information that could help (sorry!) but the forum goes pretty silent at this time. Everyone in the UK is sleeping! I'm sure WebyJ or others will be along tomorrow with something to help you. I can only imagine the panic you are going through! One thought- have you checked the jacket/coat you were wearing last time you came through immigration? I am notorious for leaving stuff in coats and finding it a year later when I pull it out of the closet to wear again!

Good luck.

Hi Starbuck,

I had my passport containing my FLR spousal visa stolen and have applied for TOC for my the visa to be transferred into my new American passport.

Sent application in 5 weeks ago and only did biometrics last week. I think where you got the 14 weeks processing time from is that they are advising we have to wait 14 weeks until we can enquire about our application (if god forbid it should last that long). I just spoke with Immigration Enquiry Bureau this morning as I wanted to know how things were progressing, if I sent in the correct documents in, how biometrics went. Absolutely no help.

Really had no idea what to put into my application as guidelines seemed vague. But I did a consolidated version of my original application, providing marriage cert, joint bank statements, lease agreement, letter from employer and GP as proof of identity and address, as well as copies of my stolen passport and spousal visa (I ALWAYS make sure to have hard and electronic copies of these things), police report re: stolen passport, and emails from Chicago consulate saying my original spousal application had been approved. Bundled it all together with a covering letter explaining my situation and to contact me should I need to provide any more info.

I know how you feel, having no personal identification for UK, proof of right to live and work here. Essentially, being a prisoner in the UK as you cannot leave and re-enter without the visa in the passport!

I suppose it's still early days, but my husband and I have been planning our 4 week holiday to Mexico at Xmas to see my family, and it's 10 weeks to go. Naturally, I'm super nervous.   

If I could have afforded £460 odd to apply in person I would have for a same day decision! On a positive note, the US Embassy had my new passport ready for me to collect within 4 days of applying in person.

Let me know what you decide to do and how it's progressing! Hang in there.

MexiYank -

oh it's so nice to know that I'm not alone in feeling trapped! My grandfather passed away and I couldn't get home to go to the funeral or be there for my family.  I'd just figured out that I was missing my passport, too, because I was preparing to go home and visit my dad (who had recently found out he had cancer).

In other words, it's sucked.  On top of which, I'm looking for a job with a copy of my visa and a prayer.

When you hear something back would you mind replying here again?

i don't have anything useful to add, i just wanted to say good luck. it must be such a helpless feeling to feel trapped, but i'm sure things will work out!

That's heartbreaking  I'm so sorry that you weren't able to go back for your grandfather's funeral and I hope that your dad is doing alright. x

There is some info on here about how to go about the NTL/TOC, but it does not appear many people have been in our situation, so there just isn't much in the way of personal stories/support to go by.

I guess the good side to this is that we can contribute to informing everyone else about the process (and stress) of replacing a visa. Really, I'm so glad I made copies, that little bit of 'proof' can only help. Also, having some other form of ID in the form of a driver's license, provisional license or old passport, etc. In my case, I had my US Driver's License stolen as well, so had to do my best in discerning what to submit - my Birth Certificate, Birth Registration Card and an expired Driver's License. Fingers crossed.

Have you worked in the UK before? If you can provide your P45 and a letter/copies of right to work docs from you previous employer I'd assume that would be ok? Had you registered with an employment agency before you lost your passport - they will have that on file and can vouch for you.

On another note, I never received ay paperwork either when my application was approved. I did it through the post and all I got was an email saying 'Your visa application has been approved and will be printed on Monday, when your courier may collect it' and then received my passport/visa and all my supporting docs back. No letter, nothing from the Consulate. But the TOC guidelines asked for this... I just explained in my letter I never received anything so that's why I was including the emails from the Chicago Consulate.

Have you reapplied for your passport already? I'll deffo let you know once I hear something...

Thanks tedibear20! It most definitely should work out...

What sucks most is the waiting...and waiting...!

Thanks tedibear20! It most definitely should work out...

What sucks most is the waiting...and waiting...!

oh i know it! i'm submitting my own settlement/wife application on monday, and even though i'm kind of relieved to be finally sending it out, it's so nervewracking at the same time! hopefully my wait won't be too long! All the best to you!

IT'S SO NERVEWRACKING! But it's so worth it when you finally get that email saying 'approved!' Only to be topped by actually getting the passport with the pretty vignette in your hands. I actually kissed mine when I got it!

Funny story (not at the time tho!) - I had tracked it on FedEx website and it said 'Delivered' but it hadn't been. I was sprinting all around the apartment complex, even jumping over bushes, all in 110 degree heat trying to figure out where the doofus delivery guy had left it. I found my package propped against someone's door, so I snatched it and ran like the wind.

Needless to say, when I calmed down from all the excitement I gave FedEx a right earful!!!!!

Hopefully you won't have to jump any bushes! Really excited for you, can't wait to hear when you've got it. 

IT'S SO NERVEWRACKING! But it's so worth it when you finally get that email saying 'approved!' Only to be topped by actually getting the passport with the pretty vignette in your hands. I actually kissed mine when I got it!

Funny story (not at the time tho!) - I had tracked it on FedEx website and it said 'Delivered' but it hadn't been. I was sprinting all around the apartment complex, even jumping over bushes, all in 110 degree heat trying to figure out where the doofus delivery guy had left it. I found my package propped against someone's door, so I snatched it and ran like the wind.

Needless to say, when I calmed down from all the excitement I gave FedEx a right earful!!!!!

oh my god LOL!! i needed to laugh  what's sad is i can totally see something like this happening!!! i will hope for the best though and probably sit at the window watching like a hawk for the delivery man!!! 

aahahahaha thanks for the laugh!

and thanks for the kindness! my dad is doing much, much better.

I haven't actually got money enough to get down to london to get my passport replaced but I know I've got to do it ASA(feasibly)P.

And no, I've not worked while I've been here -- I've done two degrees instead, a much less useful way to spend 5 years.  I've got my copies from the uni as they had to clear me to pay home fees.

anyway, thanks all who've replied. I feel so much better, I didn't realize how bad I was feeling!

ALRIGHTY!! I got it woo

Ok so - got the docs and my passport in the post - went straight to the passport and there was no vignette, I FREAKED. Then I realised I should probably read the cover letter... which then explained that my Biometrics Resident Permit card thingie would follow within a week. AHA!

It did! I happen to think the Resident crd is smarter as, if you lose your passport, you're not screwed with having lost your visa.

So, from start to finish was about 8 weeks. The only thing that sucks is that my photo is the most god-awful thing I have ever seen, I look sick, homeless and like I hadn't washed my hair in weeks...not good.

Oh well, that depiction of hideousnous will be replaced next year when I get the ILR, woo!