Attached Letter:
UK Visas and Immigration
Permanent Migration
The Capital
Old Hall Street
Liverpool
L3 9PP
Web: xxxxxxx
Case Reference Number: UAN - XXXXXXX
Dear applicant
Following your application for Naturalisation on 24/08/20. The COVID-19 pandemic
has significantly impacted all UKVI services. On 27 March, Sopra Steria Ltd (SSL)
closed all United Kingdom Visas and Application Services (UKVACS) service points
to protect the health and safety of both their staff and our customers. This decision
was taken in line with Government and PHE advice.
On 1 June 2020 SSL began a phased reopening of the UKVCAS service points
across the United Kingdom. For those sites that have reopened, UKVCAS have
implemented additional measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of customers
and staff, and to provide a service in a COVID safe way in line with social distancing
requirements.
This letter serves to remind you that you now have 45 working days (from the
date of this notification) in which to make and attend an appointment to enrol your
biometrics. You must now return to your online application to book and attend an
appointment at a UK Visas and Citizenship Application Service point to provide your
evidence and enrol your biometrics (fingerprints, facial photograph, signature).
When you book your appointment you will be advised what you need to bring with
you.
If you do not attend an appointment and enrol your biometric information your
application will be rejected as invalid. This will apply even if you have provided
all the other relevant information, evidence and payment required to validate
your application.
If you are under the age of 16 you must be accompanied by the responsible
adult you named as part of your application. If you are not accompanied by this
person your enrolment cannot be processed.
You and your parent/responsible adult must provide an acceptable form of
identity; this must be a passport, photo driving licence, national identity card or a UK
Biometric Residence Permit. The proof of identity will be checked against the details
given on the application form.
You can get more help by visiting our website at:
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration
Frequently Asked Questions
Safe and Secure UKVCAS service points?
We know that some people are worried about attending an UKVCAS appointment
due to Covid-19.
All our service points are clean and safe with social distancing precautions
built in, so you don’t have to worry when you attend an appointment. Check
the FAQs on the UKVCAS website for more information. We recommend you
read these before you attend your appointment.
There are a few simple rules that you need to follow when you come to your
appointment. These include:
Please wear a face covering when you visit one of our Service Points.
Please only bring named applicants with you to your appointment. For
any exceptions where one additional person may be permitted, see our FAQs.
Do not attend an appointment if you are displaying any symptoms of
COVID-19. Please refer to the NHS website for any health-related questions.
Check that you do not have to self-isolate if you have recently arrived in
the UK. If yes, you will not be able to attend a UKVCAS appointment within
the period of self-isolation See the UKVI website for more details here.
What if English is not my first language?
If you will have difficulty communicating you may wish to bring an interpreter or
English speaking person with you when you attend your appointment.
My personal details are incorrect on this letter, what should I do?
It is important you check that your name, date of birth and nationality on this letter.
This information must be the same as the information in your passport. If any of the
details are incorrect, please call the UK Visas & Immigration Contact Centre on 0300123 2241. We will only update your details on our system once we have confirmed
the information is correct. Please do not contact us regarding the progress of your
application. Your application should still be completed within the customer service
standard.
If you are moving house or want to change your correspondence address, please
visit our website www.gov.uk/uk-visas-immigration.
What is biometric information?
Biometric information is a set of physical characteristics that can be used to identify
you, for example facial images and fingerprints. All applicants who require a
Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) are legally required to have a digital photo taken.
Children under the age of five years are only required to provide a photo; customers
five years and over must provide their fingerprints and photo. However, fingerprints
of children under six years old will not be stored on the BRP, but will be securely
stored on the Immigration and Asylum Biometric System (IABS). Applicants aged 16
and over must also provide a signature.
What happens when I give my biometric information?
Your photo and fingerprints will be taken electronically, so there is no ink and no
mess. We are aware of the need to protect the dignity, privacy and modesty of
applicants and you can raise any special requests when booking your appointment
at a UK Visas and Citizenship Application Service point. Your biometric information
will be checked against police and immigration databases and held securely on IABS
in compliance with regulations made under section 8 of the UK Borders Act 2007, as
amended and the Data Protection Act 1998.
You must remove the following items during the biometric enrolment process:
glasses/sunglasses
headphones
hats/scarves/other headgear (except those worn for religious reasons)
Bluetooth headsets
Please note that the colour of head coverings can cause contrast issues when the
photo is taken. For some applicants wearing a religious head covering is necessary,
however, be aware that if a headscarf is too light in colour it may not be possible to
see it clearly against the grey background of the biometric enrolment station. Please
remember to wear a dark coloured headscarf.
What happens if I cannot enrol my biometric information?
If there are exceptional circumstances as to why you are unable to enrol your
biometric information within 10 working days from the date of this notification you
must call the UK Visas & Immigration Contact Centre on 0300 123 2241 and explain
why you are unable to attend. Please be aware that we may request more
information and evidence about why you are unable to enrol your biometric features
Yours sincerely,
Home Office