Indefinite walk off to remain?

I've been in the UK for 14 years, married to a British Man and together we enjoy two children. I applied for, and was given, an Indefinite Leave To Remain visa before the children be born and all was economically until very recently, when I have to get a new passport and the feeble passport with the ILR visa was lost.

We're disappearing to live in Australia in a few months, and be hoping to go for a summer holiday first, but without the visa, there's a actual possibility that I won't be allowed back into the UK. I've looked on the British Home Office Website and called a few departments, but within doesn't seem to be any concrete information on my next step.

Anyone get any (sensible) ideas?

Many thanks
Answers:
So you have lost your Visa.
A somewhat important document to enjoy not looked after better or taken backup photocopies or (these days) electronic scans of. (OK, stateing the obvious.. but some accepted wisdom for when you get it sorted ?)

Contact the UKBA and ask for them to re-issue it.
They will clearly want some proof of previously having have it.
but they should also have their own records....

Do you hold your husbands and your passport numbers,
dates when it was originally issued ?

Yes it may cost... but its that or not comming final.
you also these days have to prove the right to remain within the UK.. or work.
So you are going to need it anyway...at some point.

As a reference, it costs 185 pounds (169 + 15 postage) to verbs an ILR visa from one passport to a new one... so expect it to be treated as such a move.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/while-… - Transferring a Visa
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/while-… - supprting documents

See also what happens if you own lost your ILR
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/settle… - being away for more than 2 years

After 14 years in the UK,
somewhat more than the 1 year on ILR needed to achieve citzenship, - a little suprised that you have not get UK citizenhip already... though I appreciate your original country/nationality may not allow it.

it would also have made duration easier in the EU and for travelling in standard...and you could never lose your ILR right. (2 years out of the UK and it is lost). It is getting harder and harder to get, so might be worth re-considering before the subsequent set of rules kick in. (and afterwards you weill have dual citizenship)
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/britis… - citizenship

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/contac… - UK Border Agency Contacts
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/contac… - contact centers
Start at the contact center (sometimes takes a Very long time to answer, but hang on to trying and try midweek)
If you own a new passport they can affix your ILR inside your new passport. It will pocket some time to do however.

Donna
Cancel your holiday seem like a sensible step!

Also, keep at the passport bureau and home office. They are notorious for taking a long time to sort anything at adjectives, and the quality of help vary from person to person.
You are eligible to apply for British citizenship, ensure that you secure citizenship before you hand down the UK as ILR expires if you are out of the country for more then 2 years.

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