The Home Office expects all applicants, including children, to submit a valid identity document. By “Valid”, it means not expired. For EU citizens — plus citizens of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland — this identity document may be a passport or national identity card. For non-EU citizens with a relationship with an EU national, it could either be a passport or a biometric residence permit.
Some applicants do not have identity documents at the moment and maybe struggling to obtain them while their embassies are closed because of Covid-19. Do not wait until they reopen to obtain documents if this would take you past the deadline. Instead, consider these points:
- Your identity document might still be valid despite the expiry date
Some countries have now extended the validity of their identity documents as a response to COVID-19. Home Office guidance lists the countries which have done this, for which type of documents, and the new expiry dates.
- You can explain why you struggle to obtain a passport
Applicants who cannot obtain an identity document can still submit their application. It will not be as simple as applications including ID, because you need to call the EU Settlement Resolution Centre and ask for an application form to be sent by post. The EU Settlement Resolution Centre must be not convinced that it is not possible to get an ID, but applicants genuinely in this situation can insist.
Applicants need to explain why they cannot submit the ID documents when returning the form. It is only in certain circumstances that applications are accepted without ID, including circumstances beyond the applicant’s control or due to compelling compassionate or practical reasons. Applicants must be prepared to explain in detail why they cannot produce an identity document and include evidence of the efforts they have made to try to get one.
Immigration Solicitors Rochdale, Manchester and Oldham
If you have any concerns or questions on the matters raised in this EU immigration scheme article and need the help of Oldham immigration solicitors, Manchester Immigration solicitors or Rochdale immigration solicitors then please contact our Manchester Solicitors, Rochdale Solicitors or Oldham Solicitors on 0161 660 6050 and we will be more than happy to help.
