Copies of Passport

[Rookie]

Agent wants to see a copy of my passport (Front cover, inside cover page, photo page). I'm fine with the photo page but why the front and inside cover? It doesn't really carry much information.

Apparently they need to hold copies of these pages on their records so that they can comply with the document checks enforced by the UK Border Agency. They are saying that the UK Border Agency have recently issued detailed guidance regarding the documents that are acceptable as proof of eligibility to work in the UK and these now include covers of passports and inside pages.

Anyone else had this type of request?

[Menelaus]

Agent wants to see a copy of my passport (Front cover, inside cover page, photo page). I'm fine with the photo page but why the front and inside cover? It doesn't really carry much information.

Apparently they need to hold copies of these pages on their records so that they can comply with the document checks enforced by the UK Border Agency. They are saying that the UK Border Agency have recently issued detailed guidance regarding the documents that are acceptable as proof of eligibility to work in the UK and these now include covers of passports and inside pages.

Anyone else had this type of request?

That's crap. The front and inside front covers don't have anything specific to that passport on them (do they(?)).

[Rookie]

That's crap. The front and inside front covers don't have anything specific to that passport on them (do they(?)).

That's what I thought. I look forward to the day when agents require stool samples.

[kryten22uk]

I had to fill in a "PowerChex" questionairre recently, which was unbelievably detailed and personal. Regarding passport, they wanted the usual details but also long number on the bottom of the photo page, that has dozens of "<<<<<" in it.

[Menelaus]

That's what I thought. I look forward to the day when agents require stool samples.

At least it'll give us an opportunity to crap all over agents and thus turn the tables!

[expat]

I had to fill in a "PowerChex" questionairre recently, which was unbelievably detailed and personal. Regarding passport, they wanted the usual details but also long number on the bottom of the photo page, that has dozens of "<<<<<" in it.

I would not for a moment suggest that you might alter that with Photoshop, to a different fictitious number every time.

[kryten22uk]

I would not for a moment suggest that you might alter that with Photoshop, to a different fictitious number every time.

But they use it to check your status (presumably at the Home Office), hence you would risk them thinking you're an illegal alien and not get the job.

[Menelaus]

But they use it to check your status (presumably at the Home Office), hence you would risk them thinking you're an illegal alien and not get the job.

I'd imagine (hope) that there's an underlying algorithm to it.

[kryten22uk]

I'd imagine (hope) that there's an underlying algorithm to it.

Probably. The driving license number wasnt exactly difficult to crack.

[Hex]

They are saying that the UK Border Agency have recently issued detailed guidance regarding the documents that are acceptable as proof of eligibility to work in the UK and these now include covers of passports and inside pages.

This is the responsibilty of the company who is employing the worker. It is your company's responsibility not the agency's. But they are too thick to know that.

Try sending them a letter on company headed paper saying your company has checked all employees eligibility to work in the UK and all employees are eligible.

Alternatively tell them you don't have a passport and see where that gets you!