How to access the British gov.uk website as a French resident
A British Connexion reader shares how he was able to create a Government Gateway account
Problems accessing gov.uk prompted a Connexion reader to write a letter of complaint to HMRC
chrisdorney / Shutterstock
Your January/February issue highlighted problems for non-UK residents accessing the gov.uk Government Gateway website if they do not have a UK address, driving licence, etc.
Following a letter of complaint to HMRC, I was told it is still possible to create a Government Gateway account as long as you have a biometric UK passport, National Insurance number, and access to a smartphone and UK telephone number.
Download the gov.uk ‘ID Check’ app and, at the appropriate stage in the account creation, take a picture of both the photo page in your passport and a ‘selfie’, then allow your phone to scan the microchip on the front page of your passport.
This verifies your identity and a Government Gateway account can then be created.
Connexion reader Gary Grant, by email
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