Guidance

Windrush passport applications and questions: caseworker guidance

Tells HM Passport Office staff how to examine passport applications and respond to customers affected by the Windrush scheme.

• From: HM Passport Office
• Published: 19 December 2022
• Last updated: 5 May 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 5 May 2026

     This guidance has been updated to remove reference to the Application Management System.

  2. 5 September 2025

     This guidance has been updated to: confirm Windrush customers may not need to attend a citizenship ceremony, and this will be recorded in UKVI systems using a tick box or a case note; tell QuESt (Quality, Examination Support team) to send Windrush guidance referrals to the Windrush team, if an OTL (Operational Team Leader) cannot confirm the customer’s identity, nationality or entitlement; change terminology from ‘overseas’ to ‘international’ when referring to applications and customers; make minor terminology changes because UK Visas and Immigration are decommissioning the Case Information Database (CID).

  3. 10 December 2024

     Updated to clarify how we record when a Windrush customer may not need to attend a citizenship ceremony.

  4. 9 August 2024

     This guidance has been updated to clarify how examiners must send the Windrush letter.

  5. 19 December 2022

     First published.

Documents

Windrush passport applications and customer questions

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Details

This guidance tells HM Passport Office staff how to examine passport applications and respond to customers affected by the Windrush scheme.

It also covers questions from the media, MPs and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).