Transfer your visa to a new passport
This page explains how you can have a residence permit transferred from an old passport or travel document to a new one.
If your old passport contains a residence permit (known as 'leave to remain'), you can apply for the UK Border Agency to transfer that residence permit to your new passport when the old one expires.
You can choose not to have the residence permit transferred to your new passport. In that case, you should carry both your old passport and your new passport when you travel to the United Kingdom, as evidence of your resident status. If you cannot produce your original permit, you may not be allowed to enter the country.
If you do want us to to transfer your residence permit to your new passport, we cannot do this at passport control when you enter the United Kingdom. As long as you can prove that you are entitled to live here, the immigration officer at your port of entry will put a date stamp in your new passport. You must then send us an applicatin form asking us to place a residence permit in your new passport. You must be in the United Kingdom when you apply to us.
The new residence permit may look different from your old stamp, because a United Kingdom residence permit has replaced all former stamp and ink endorsements for permission to stay in this country for longer than six months.
It is up to you to ensure that your travel documents are up to date and valid. An immigration officer will decide whether or not to let you enter the country, based on the evidence you produce.
If the residence permit in your old passport says that you have permission to live permanently in the United Kingdom (called 'indefinite leave to remain'), you must apply for a no time limit (NTL) stamp using form NTL. You can download this form and a detailed guide from the right side of this page.
If the residence permit in your old passport says that you have permission to be in the United Kingdom for a limited period (called 'limited leave to remain'), you must apply for a transfer of conditions (TOC) stamp using form TOC. You can download this form and a detailed guide from the right side of this page.You will also need to apply for a compulsory identity card.
You should read the detailed guide in full before you complete your form. We will not refund your application fee if we refuse your application or if you withdraw it.
See Contact for details of where to send your form.
Application forms
Application for a no time limit (NTL) stamp by someone who already has indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK
- Form NTL - version 4/2009PDF 58K opens in a new window
- Guide NTL - version 4/2009PDF 31K opens in a new window
- Photo guidance (new)PDF 325K opens in a new window
Application for a transfer of condition (TOC) stamp and a biometric immigration document by someone who already has limited leave to enter or remain in the UK.
- Form TOC - version 3/2009PDF 155K opens in a new window
- Guide TOC - version 3/2009PDF 39K opens in a new window
- Photo guidance (new)PDF 325K opens in a new window
News & updates
Contact
-
Visa services
Visa services, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AH. If you are outside the United Kingdom, you should contact your nearest British diplomatic post.