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Ali's avatar
Ali P Community Member

UK Location Verification - Unable to do

Hello, I have recently moved to the UK. I have a biometric residence permit but I do not have a British passport.

 

When I tried to upload my BRP, the following text is displayed:

 

"It looks like you uploaded an unsupported type of ID.Please try again with an image of your state issued U.K. driving licence or British passport."

 

How could I overcome this and successfully get my ID verified?

 

Thanks

ACCEPTED SOLUTION
Nikola's avatar
Nikola S Retiring Moderator

Hi TAI,

 

It looks like you're trying to apply to UK-only job posts. In order to apply for these, you must verify your location. If you encounter any issues while trying to verify your location, please know that you can reach out to our support team by clicking the 'Chat with Upwork' button on the Contact Support page.


If you'd prefer not to verify your location at this time, that's ok! Switch the feed you're looking at to My Feed and you can search and apply to job posts that are Worldwide.

 

~ Nikola

View solution in original post

446 REPLIES 446
Ibrahim's avatar
Ibrahim A Community Member

Hello please I just moved to the Uk and I'm having issues verifying my location as i have just the brp but not British passport or drivers license yet.

Andrea's avatar
Andrea G Community Manager

Hi Ibrahim,

 

Thank you for reaching out. I can see that you've already raised a support ticket regarding your concern. You can access your support tickets here . Note that support requests are responded to in the order they are received. Kindly allow 24-48 hours for the team to follow up with you and assist you further.

 

~Andrea
Giovanni's avatar
Giovanni F Community Member

Hello!

I have the same issue. I also moved here (in 2019) but don't have neither British passport or UK driving license. How can I verify I live in the UK?

Many thanks

Annie Jane's avatar
Annie Jane B Retired Team Member

Hi Giovanni,

 

Thank you for reaching out to us. I checked and it doesn't look like you are required to complete any verification at the moment. The team will let you know if there is a need for any verification in the future.


~ AJ
Upwork
Veronique's avatar
Veronique O Community Member

Hello,

 

I joined Upwork around a month ago but have not been able to use the site as a hold has been put on my account because I couldn't verify my ID: I am a UK resident born and bred but I don't drive and don't have a valid UK passport. I uploaded my (very) old passport photo and was rejected! Is there anything I can do? I'd appreciate any help, thanks

Nikola's avatar
Nikola S Retiring Moderator

Hi Veronique,

 

Thank you for reaching out to us. One of our team members will reach out to you directly via a support ticket to assist you further. You can access your tickets on this page.

 

~ Nikola
Pongo's avatar
Pongo S Community Member

Hello I'm trying to get my Uk location verified by upload a valid ID form, BUT I'm Spanish and I have full Settlement and right to work in the uk, but I there is no option rather than to upload. British ID or Passport, Please this is unacceptable!

Annie Jane's avatar
Annie Jane B Retired Team Member

Hi Pongo,

 

Thank you for reaching out to us. I shared your request with our team and one of our agents will reach out to you using a support ticket to assist you further. You can access your support tickets here.


~ AJ
Upwork
Blessing's avatar
Blessing S Community Member


Hello, I have recently moved to the UK. I have a biometric residence permit but I do not have a British passport nor a driving license. How do I get past that as it is inhibiting my getting jobs please?

Arjay's avatar
Arjay M Retired Team Member

Hi Blessing,

 

Thank you for reaching out to us. I shared your report with our team and one of our agents will reach out to you using a support ticket to assist you further. You can access your support tickets here.

 

~ Arjay
Upwork
Elif's avatar
Elif U Community Member

Hi,

 

I live in the UK and have a resident permit, but it says I can only upload a driving license or a British passport. I can supply a BRP, utility bill or bank statement to verify my location

Can you please help me?

Best regards

Elif

Pradeep's avatar
Pradeep H Retired Team Member

Hi Elif,

 

Thank you for reaching out to us. I shared your report with our team and one of our agents will reach out to you using a support ticket to assist you further. You can access your support tickets here .

 

Thank you,

Pradeep

Aminat's avatar
Aminat S Community Member

Hello,

I have recently moved to the UK. I have a biometric residence permit but do not have a British passport or a driving license. How do I get UK jobs? Please help.

Luiggi's avatar
Luiggi R Retiring Moderator

Hi Aminat,

 

Thank you for reaching out to us. I shared your report with our team and one of our agents will reach out to you using a support ticket to assist you further. You can access your support tickets here.

~ Luiggi
Cate's avatar
Cate M Community Member

Hi there,

 

I am also having the same issue. I am living in the UK with the right to work on a Tier 5 visa, however cannot upload my Biometric card as proof of living in the UK.

 

Any ideas on how to solve this?

 

Cate

Annie Jane's avatar
Annie Jane B Retired Team Member

Hi Cate,

 

Thank you for reaching out to us. I shared your report with our team and one of our agents will reach out to you using a support ticket to assist you further. You can access your support tickets here.


~ AJ
Upwork
Toni's avatar
Toni A Community Member

Hello 
 
I am in the UK and new to Upwork. This week, I was accepted to work with two clients but shortly afterwards I was advised I needed to verify my identity.  
 
states:

'To build trust, we may ask you to upload a government-issued ID to confirm your identity. In most cases, we’ll be able to verify your identity within minutes. In other cases, we may need more information from you, or ask you to briefly video chat with an Upwork agent.'

However in the 
UK identity cards were scrapped in 2011, see https://www.gov.uk/identitycards  and I don't have a driving licence or a current passport. Usually, I am able to provide the alternative documents listed at 
but I am being told none of the items listed are acceptable.

I have been told today I can submit a residence card also, however I am a UK resident from birth so do not have a residence card either and in any case
advises it is no longer possible to apply for these.

I don't know what more I can do to prove I am who I say I am but I am very concerned as I started work with the two clients before being advised that I needed to verify my identity and am due to be paid $80 for the first project I have completed on 23 December. However this afternoon I received a message saying I have 24 hours to verify my identity or my account will be suspended and I will no longer have access to clients, proposals or contracts. It is all rather distressing. 

I can't magic a photo ID out of thin air that I don't have and I have tried sending the alternative documents listed on the Gov.UK website which are accepted by organisations in the UK. I am now really worried that because of this, I won't get paid for the work I have done.

If anyone out there could help me, I would be incredibly grateful.


Nikola's avatar
Nikola S Retiring Moderator

Hi Toni,

 

Thank you for reaching out to us. I checked and it seems that you are already in correspondence with our team on your support ticket

 

Please allow more time for our team to review your case and respond accordingly to your ticket. You will be notified of their response.

~ Nikola
Toni's avatar
Toni A Community Member

I have received a message advising I have 24 hours before my account is suspended. I am getting no help - they just keep telling me I need to provide a photo ID. I have provided reasons I can't do this and even if I could, I have been given seven days, after beginning two contracts, at Christmas during a Royal Mail strike.

Arjay's avatar
Arjay M Retired Team Member

Hi Toni,

 

We totally understand how you want this issue resolved immediately. However, as Nikola mentioned, please allow our team time to further review your case. You should be getting an update on this page and your email once done. 

 

A gentle reminder, please avoid creating several tickets or posts for the same concern so that the team could assist you accordingly and more efficiently. We seek your patience and utmost understanding while sorting this out for you. Thank you!

 

~ Arjay
Upwork
Toni's avatar
Toni A Community Member

Thank you for your reply however yesterday evening I had to advise my new client that from this evening I may not be able to continue working on their project as my account is about to be suspended. In addition I don't know what will happen to the money I have earned to date if this happens which is incredibly distressing. It is difficult to remain patient under such circumstances.

Regarding the support tickets, one is a request from help from someone who is desperate to get this matter resolved so she can  continue working. The second is a legal notice.

 

Mike's avatar
Mike W Community Member

Hi Nikola.

I'm in the same situation, I believe. My first successful proposal is in the UK (as am I) so will I be paid still? Also, I can't just magic a photo ID out of thin air in a matter of days. Those things take time (and money).

I can easily verify my business (which is who the prospective client will be paying) and that it's a Limited Company that's been in existence for years so it's strange to want a photo ID in the first place as it's not really about me as an individual. Please advise.

Arjay's avatar
Arjay M Retired Team Member

Hi Mike,

 

Arjay here stepping in for Nikola. I'm sorry to learn that you're having difficulties verifying your location. I shared your report with our team and one of our agents will reach out to you using a support ticket to assist you further. You can access your support tickets and coordinate with the team here.

 

~ Arjay
Upwork
Toni's avatar
Toni A Community Member

Hello Mike

I have made some progress on this.

Apparently a Citizencard is acceptable. There is one on its way to me but it is delayed due to the Royal Mail strikes.  You can learn more at https://www.citizencard.com/.

The website states there is a fee of between £15 and £30 but I would recommend looking at the Twitter page as it seems they often have promotions where they give cards away at no charge.

I applied after seeing a post at
https://twitter.com/CitizenCard/status/1579770363109838848
using the code FREEVOTERID.

Hope this helps.


Dino's avatar
Dino H Community Member

Hello, I also live and work in UK, but don't have passport or driving license. How can I verify my account?