Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps is his Department taking to ensure that people permitted to reside and work in the UK have the ability to (a) open bank accounts and (b) obtain employment while his Department are in possession of their passports.

Where migrants need to undergo a right to work check while their immigration application is outstanding and their documents are with the Home Office, their status can be confirmed by the employer contacting the Home Office employer checking service. Those applying to extend their stay in the UK are likely to have opened bank accounts already.

From November 2018, the majority of immigration applicants who apply to confirm or extend their stay in the UK, or apply for citizenship, will be managed by the Home Office’s new commercial partner Sopra Steria on behalf of UK Visas and Immigration. As part of this new service applicants will be able to retain their passport and supporting evidence as part of the application process.