The Joys of Using ILE at Small Ports of Entry

Last week we entered the UK via the Port of Hull. Oh boy... It was clear the IO had never seen an ILE before.

Her: So your wife's right to live in the UK expires in 2019

Me: Err.., no. It's *Indefinite* Leave to Enter

Her: There is an expiration date

Me: They have to put that on there. It doesn't mean anything.

Her: But she has to get a new one when this expires, right?

Me: I don't think so. Her right to live in the UK doesn't expire.

Her: Um

Me: But she is going to apply for citizenship next year anyway...

Her: OK

Is it too much to ask that IOs are properly trained? I guess so. Now I've printed out the relevant Entry Clearance Basics section and I'll keep that with the stupid passport.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/policyandlaw/guidance/ecg/ecb/ecb9/

ECB9.4 & ECB9.6

Andy

Isn't it automatically just the same as your expiry date on the actual passport?

I'm guessing. What other expiry date would be on it if it never expires, right?

If that IS the case, and I was able to guess that, then an IO should be able to guess that too.

 

Isn't it automatically just the same as your expiry date on the actual passport?

I'm guessing. What other expiry date would be on it if it never expires, right?

If that IS the case, and I was able to guess that, then an IO should be able to guess that too.

 

Yes, it should be the same date as the passport expiry date - because even though the visa is indefinite I believe they have to put an expiry date on it anyway when they issue it. I think it was the same for ILR before they started issuing it as a BRP instead of a sticker in the passport.

If that IS the case, and I was able to guess that, then an IO should be able to guess that too.

Do we want IOs guessing?

Andy

Yes, it should be the same date as the passport expiry date - because even though the visa is indefinite I believe they have to put an expiry date on it anyway when they issue it. I think it was the same for ILR before they started issuing it as a BRP instead of a sticker in the passport.

I received ILR when it was a sticker in the passport and for "Valid to" it says "Indefinite".

I received ILR when it was a sticker in the passport and for "Valid to" it says "Indefinite".

Same here.  I've always thought it was odd that the ones from the US side had to put a date in there when the ones here in country didn't.  It could really provide confusion for people.  What about people who won't know better, such as prospective employers?  What if they see that and assume it means someone is here illegally or not able to work? It would be hard to dispute.  I mean, we know that it is indefinite, but it sure doesn't look it when there's an expiry date right on the visa.  We can hope they would call the employer hotline and be put straight, but we have seen occasions where employers get pig-headed about visa stuff out of fear and don't just take the time to check.

The horror of undertrained IOs!!! Too much discretion is a dangerous thing!