Keep My Passport Service UK Visas

Purpose of the ‘Keep my passport’ service

As a standard practice, the original passport is taken by Visa Application Staff on the day of biometrics appointmemnt. ‘Keep my passport’ service allows the applicant to keep their passports while their application is being assessed by UK Visas and Immigration. Once UK Home Office has made the decision on the application, the applicant will be asked to submit the passport at the visa application centre where they provided biometrics for their UK visa application.

For which applications ‘Keep my passport’ service can be used?

The service can be used for all UK Visa Applications made from Outside UK including-
Spouse Visa
Fiance Visa
Visit Visa
Skilled Worker Visa
PLAB Exam Visa

Effect of using the service

Using this service will delay your application between 1-2 weeks as you will be asked to submit the passport and passport return from UK Visas and Immigration can take up to few weeks. Other than this, there will be no adverse or positive affect on the outcome of the visa application.

Availability of service not guaranteed

The service is an add on service, not available at all the times at all the visa application centre(s). There is no way to check whether Keep My Passport will be available at a particular visa application centre. Except for the USA, this service is available in almost all countries, yet there is no guarantee that the service will be available at the time of your application submission.

Types of Immigration Applications	Success Rate	Years
Spouse Visa Extension/ Switch Applications	100%	2006-2022
Fiance Visa Applications	100%	2006-2022
Fee Waiver Applications	100%	2006-2022
Parent Route/ Family & Private Life FLR	100%	2006-2022
Naturalisation (British Citizenship)	100%	2006-2022
Indefinite Leave to Remain	100%	2006-2022
Skilled Worker Visa	100%	2006-2022
Tier 2 General	100%	2006-2022
Employer Sponsor Licence	100%	2006-2022
EU Residence Card/ Settlement Scheme	100%	2006-2022

The approximate cost of the Keep My Passport Service

For an application from the EU, the cost was €100 on 17 April 2023. The fee is a reference only. Cost may vary in different countries.

What to do if you wish to use this service?

You should send an email to your caseworker in the usual way to let them know that your preference. Depending on the availability, your caseworker will buy this add-on service for you. We will also let you know the exact cost 2-3 days after buying the service as actual cost may vary due to payment being made in local currency/ USD/ EURO using a UK GBP bank account.