Just about to log in to the SS website and we have received an email telling us we can't do anything until we hear back from them as we might not need to have an appointment as it may be done online is this correct?
wow--first ive heard of that. Can you post the contents of the email on here ( delete any personal details )
My wife recently lost her BRP and needed to apply to replace it. She had a similar message and was instructed to download an app to confirm her identity. She needed her passport and household bills to prove address. All done through the app, on playstore UKVCAS IDV. Hopefully it will be the same for you.
If you have received this message on behalf of the lead applicant, please ensure they are informed immediately. UKVI are currently assessing whether your application can be progressed via the IDV app. You can not book an appointment at a UKVCAS Service Point or use the IDV app until we contact you again. UKVI and UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services) have worked together to develop an Identity Verification app (referred to below as IDV app). This involves reusing biometrics (fingerprints) that have been recorded in a previous application as part of the process to verify your identity. If you want to know more about this, see the UKVI website here. The UKVCAS IDV app lets you submit application information to UKVI without having to book or attend a UKVCAS appointment. This new, free to use way of submitting information to UKVI involves taking a photo of yourself and uploading supporting information onto your mobile device. UKVCAS will be in touch once we have heard from UKVI to tell you to either use the IDV app or to book a UKVCAS appointment. If you need further information, please check the website FAQs before contacting us.
Can't really add anything 'concrete' to this thread, but I have 'heard of' the IDV app mentioned. Only thing I would advise is, check the email address the message came FROM (not just the Display Name, the actual email address, e.g. 'abc@xyz...') - does it look genuine? If it is genuine, it seems to be making things easier for applicants - no appointments, no new biometrics - bravo! Be interested to hear your experience moving forward from this point, especially if it turns out you don't need to make an appointment with Sopra Steria.
If I remember this applies for people on the 10 year route I might be wrong but we went had our ilr appointment last friday 18th february with ss and I dont recall getting anything like this when we booked we was on the 5 year route.
Wife had to apply for new BRC and got same message. Then got told a few days later that can use the IDV app. If they have info from previously they are allowing some people to use the app. When you log in will find there are no appointments available although will be able to load documents so can get on with that element.
its interesting that while UKVCAS is referred to in the email--theres no mention of sopra steria. Its the same in the gov.uk online form for citizenship---which up to now STILL requires attendance at a UKVCAS office for biometrics..and no mention of sopra steria
We went to sopra steria down town in Liverpool , after we submitted our home office application and paid super priority it then directed us to the sopra steria website to book appointment date and all the usual extras they include.
There is Yes biometrics still required and it may well be that it's the same location as Sopra use but they are not mentioned in BC applications as citizenship is outside the visa remit.
Hi, Just submitted my ILR application last week and I also get the same message via email. It says on the email that I can't book any appointment yet. Have you received any response at all?
Hi we waited 6 days before we had a reply, they asked us to download their app and we have now just uploaded our paperwork to the app and waiting to see if they need any more info
Thank you for the response. I guess I just have to wait and be patient with the process I already uploaded the required documents for my ILR so basically just waiting to hear if I need an appointment for my biometric or if I can use the new IV app.
