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General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

A section for posts relating to applications for Naturalisation or Registration as a British Citizen. Naturalisation

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quentin50ino
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Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:31 pm
Italy

Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by quentin50ino » Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:54 pm

Hi all,
I've only just found out about this CSI situation..

I've got a 7 months employment gap (of which 2 spent abroad) over 6 years in the UK.

I was granted Settled Status in May 2019 and I was self-sufficient for a month in June 2018 - after 4 years in the same job - then left for 2 months and came back in September, when I started looking for a new job and received two offers between November and December, ending up accepting the latter with start the following January.

Like many, I had no idea a CSI was necessary and I'm now worried this may be an issue.
For what is worth, I can prove I was away for 2 months (not sure if the EHIC covered me for that period or not) and that I was actively looking for jobs for the rest of the time, although this didn't happen through a Job Centre.

Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Q

naskomj
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Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 2:56 pm
United Kingdom

Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by naskomj » Fri Jul 10, 2020 11:39 am

If you at some s worker in the last 5 years, and at the rest of the time you received benefits and the government paid you NINo , do you need CSI or not?
Are you going to have problems with your naturalisation application?

dogcat
Junior Member
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Dec 11, 2019 1:41 pm
United Kingdom

Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by dogcat » Fri Jul 10, 2020 11:57 am

After 5 continuous/ consecutive years of exercising treaty rights i.e. working; being self employed; being self sufficient +CSI /EHIC (being insured back in your country of nationality ) ; studying + CSI /EHIC (being insured back in your country of nationality ) PR status is achieved automatically and you don't have to exercise treaty rights any longer.

naskomj
Newly Registered
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 2:56 pm
United Kingdom

Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by naskomj » Fri Jul 10, 2020 12:14 pm

dogcat wrote:
Fri Jul 10, 2020 11:57 am
After 5 continuous/ consecutive years of exercising treaty rights i.e. working; being self employed; being self sufficient +CSI /EHIC (being insured back in your country of nationality ) ; studying + CSI /EHIC (being insured back in your country of nationality ) PR status is achieved automatically and you don't have to exercise treaty rights any longer.
So if you had 4 years as worker and 1 year as on benefits with no CSI , you will not be a person with PR status!? Because if you are on benefits you will have NINo class 1, or 3 paid.

dogcat
Junior Member
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Dec 11, 2019 1:41 pm
United Kingdom

Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by dogcat » Fri Jul 10, 2020 12:33 pm

I've just stated what the law is (or seems to be) to the best of my abilities LOL :D
So to be honest- I don't know.

Stefan Piatek
Newbie
Posts: 33
Joined: Wed Jan 29, 2020 12:41 pm
Poland

Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by Stefan Piatek » Fri Jul 10, 2020 7:16 pm

Frou01 wrote:
Mon Jul 06, 2020 1:00 pm
As it’s been awhile now.
Anyone else lately got approved with lack of CSI or got asked by caseworkers to prove evidence of insurance?
Would like to know how they handle it these days?
As I believe this is a very important question, I would like to remind this question, I think many people are curious about it as well.

uklondonn
Newbie
Posts: 37
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2018 10:38 pm
Spain

Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by uklondonn » Sat Jul 18, 2020 11:16 pm

Hi,

I've been thinking in a solution for this gamble: applying to BC (With Settle status) having a gap on employment and no CSI to provide.

And I remembered about the possibility to apply for Permanent Residence first (EEA Route).

I thought I would not have available this option (As It won't be valid anymore after the 31st of December 2020), but I've read that the 5 years qualifying period can be backdated, and you only need 1 year after you have accomplished that 5 years period to apply for BC. In other words, after the 5 years qualifying period, you become free of immigration control. That's why you can apply for British citizenship.

I've seen this here for example:
https://www.immigrationboards.com/eea-r ... 81827.html
Permanent Residence (PR)
Its validity is retroactive, i.e. an applicant can, in the appropriate circumstances, apply for British nationality straight after receiving PR (if PR is confirmed at a date a year or more earlier than application date).

If I can receive the PR confirmation before 31st of December 2020, and they write that I'm free from immigration control a year ago, I will be ready to apply for BC.

I've a few doubts I've written on this thread: https://www.immigrationboards.com/eea-r ... 03507.html

My main doubts are about timings (as PR would not be valid anymore on 2021), the need to provide proofs for any period previous to the 5 years qualifying period. (Otherwise I will have the same issues as with the BC), and anything wrong about applying for PR when you have already Settle Status.

I know my case is quite specific, and this solution might not work for most of you, but if you had the same bad lucky as me (If I had waited only a bit more to apply for Settle Status, I wouldn't had any issue at all), then maybe this is a good possibility.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

askmeplz82
Diamond Member
Posts: 1743
Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2012 1:47 pm

Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by askmeplz82 » Sun Jul 19, 2020 4:58 am

U Aziz wrote:
Tue Jun 16, 2020 3:11 pm


So how long one should wait after getting settled status? Plz advise
5 years after PRE SETTLED or SETTLED
UK Student Visa : 04/2004 - 09/2009
EEA Residence Card : 07/2010 - 7/2015
EU Settled Status: Confirmed on 16th July 2019
Naturalisation : Confirmed on 02nd Oct 2020
Passport Approval : 21st Feb 2021

Frou01
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Posts: 382
Joined: Thu Apr 30, 2020 10:29 pm
Mood:
Finland

Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by Frou01 » Sun Jul 19, 2020 7:01 pm

uklondonn wrote:
Sat Jul 18, 2020 11:16 pm
Hi,

I've been thinking in a solution for this gamble: applying to BC (With Settle status) having a gap on employment and no CSI to provide.

And I remembered about the possibility to apply for Permanent Residence first (EEA Route).

I thought I would not have available this option (As It won't be valid anymore after the 31st of December 2020), but I've read that the 5 years qualifying period can be backdated, and you only need 1 year after you have accomplished that 5 years period to apply for BC. In other words, after the 5 years qualifying period, you become free of immigration control. That's why you can apply for British citizenship.

I've seen this here for example:
https://www.immigrationboards.com/eea-r ... 81827.html
Permanent Residence (PR)
Its validity is retroactive, i.e. an applicant can, in the appropriate circumstances, apply for British nationality straight after receiving PR (if PR is confirmed at a date a year or more earlier than application date).

If I can receive the PR confirmation before 31st of December 2020, and they write that I'm free from immigration control a year ago, I will be ready to apply for BC.

I've a few doubts I've written on this thread: https://www.immigrationboards.com/eea-r ... 03507.html

My main doubts are about timings (as PR would not be valid anymore on 2021), the need to provide proofs for any period previous to the 5 years qualifying period. (Otherwise I will have the same issues as with the BC), and anything wrong about applying for PR when you have already Settle Status.

I know my case is quite specific, and this solution might not work for most of you, but if you had the same bad lucky as me (If I had waited only a bit more to apply for Settle Status, I wouldn't had any issue at all), then maybe this is a good possibility.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks
Why would you do that?
If you have in your time in the UK 5 continuous years of employment then you automatically received a PR Status when they look at your application?

You would just state it anyway in your 10 year employment history and in your cover letter.

uklondonn
Newbie
Posts: 37
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2018 10:38 pm
Spain

Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by uklondonn » Sun Jul 19, 2020 7:32 pm

Frou01 wrote:
Sun Jul 19, 2020 7:01 pm
uklondonn wrote:
Sat Jul 18, 2020 11:16 pm
Hi,

I've been thinking in a solution for this gamble: applying to BC (With Settle status) having a gap on employment and no CSI to provide.

And I remembered about the possibility to apply for Permanent Residence first (EEA Route).

I thought I would not have available this option (As It won't be valid anymore after the 31st of December 2020), but I've read that the 5 years qualifying period can be backdated, and you only need 1 year after you have accomplished that 5 years period to apply for BC. In other words, after the 5 years qualifying period, you become free of immigration control. That's why you can apply for British citizenship.

I've seen this here for example:
https://www.immigrationboards.com/eea-r ... 81827.html
Permanent Residence (PR)
Its validity is retroactive, i.e. an applicant can, in the appropriate circumstances, apply for British nationality straight after receiving PR (if PR is confirmed at a date a year or more earlier than application date).

If I can receive the PR confirmation before 31st of December 2020, and they write that I'm free from immigration control a year ago, I will be ready to apply for BC.

I've a few doubts I've written on this thread: https://www.immigrationboards.com/eea-r ... 03507.html

My main doubts are about timings (as PR would not be valid anymore on 2021), the need to provide proofs for any period previous to the 5 years qualifying period. (Otherwise I will have the same issues as with the BC), and anything wrong about applying for PR when you have already Settle Status.

I know my case is quite specific, and this solution might not work for most of you, but if you had the same bad lucky as me (If I had waited only a bit more to apply for Settle Status, I wouldn't had any issue at all), then maybe this is a good possibility.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks
Why would you do that?
If you have in your time in the UK 5 continuous years of employment then you automatically received a PR Status when they look at your application?

You would just state it anyway in your 10 year employment history and in your cover letter.
Hey @Frou01 , I know about the automatic status but I thought I would need to apply for Permanent Residence in order to get officially that status, so I can apply for British Citizenship with that route, instead of Settle Status.

I've had a quick read to the AN Guide https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... -06-20.pdf, and I can see this (Page 15):
If you have been granted indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK, including
under the EU Settlement Scheme, and use that to support your application we will
use the date you were granted ILR as the date that you became free from
immigration time restrictions. If you acquired permanent residence before being
granted indefinite leave to enter or remain under the EU Settlement Scheme and
want to rely on the date that you acquired permanent residence for your citizenship
application, you will need to have a permanent residence document
.
.
And this:
If you believe you are free from immigration time restrictions to reside in the UK for
another reason, please give details at section 2.8 and provide evidence of this
The wording is a little bit confusing, but in page 14 is more clear (At least for my understanding):
If you are a national of a country which is a member state of the EEA or Switzerland,
or the family member of such a person and providing you complied with the
requirements of the EEA Regulations, such as holding comprehensive sickness
insurance, you will automatically have permanent residence status after exercising
free movement rights in the UK for any continuous period of 5 years ending
on or
after 30 April 2006. If you wish to, you can apply for a permanent residence card to
prove that you hold the status before applying for citizenship
. Information on
permanent residence cards can be found on the Gov.UK website.
It's saying that I need to have a permanent residence card in order to apply for British citizenship with this route...

Did you see something different in any other part of the guide?

UNLESS, "If you wish" means... it's totally optional. But it's super confusing...

uklondonn
Newbie
Posts: 37
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2018 10:38 pm
Spain

Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by uklondonn » Sun Jul 19, 2020 7:55 pm

It's also here unfortunately...

https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-eea
If you or a family member are from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you usually get ‘permanent residence’ status automatically after living in the UK for 5 years.

You need a permanent residence document that proves your status before you can apply for British citizenship.

You’ll usually need to have had permanent residence status for 12 months before you can apply for citizenship. You will not need to wait 12 months to apply if you’re married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen

dogcat
Junior Member
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Dec 11, 2019 1:41 pm
United Kingdom

Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by dogcat » Sun Jul 19, 2020 8:23 pm

Assuming, you've been granted Settled Status, I don't think anybody is going to revoke it for you so you can then apply for PR card.

Why not just explain that you have been exercising treaty rights for 5 cont.years at some point and achieved PR status therefore there was no need for you to be exercising treaty rights past the point of achieving PR status.

Frou01
Member of Standing
Posts: 382
Joined: Thu Apr 30, 2020 10:29 pm
Mood:
Finland

Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by Frou01 » Sun Jul 19, 2020 8:54 pm

uklondonn wrote:
Sun Jul 19, 2020 7:32 pm
Frou01 wrote:
Sun Jul 19, 2020 7:01 pm
uklondonn wrote:
Sat Jul 18, 2020 11:16 pm
Hi,

I've been thinking in a solution for this gamble: applying to BC (With Settle status) having a gap on employment and no CSI to provide.

And I remembered about the possibility to apply for Permanent Residence first (EEA Route).

I thought I would not have available this option (As It won't be valid anymore after the 31st of December 2020), but I've read that the 5 years qualifying period can be backdated, and you only need 1 year after you have accomplished that 5 years period to apply for BC. In other words, after the 5 years qualifying period, you become free of immigration control. That's why you can apply for British citizenship.

I've seen this here for example:
https://www.immigrationboards.com/eea-r ... 81827.html
Permanent Residence (PR)
Its validity is retroactive, i.e. an applicant can, in the appropriate circumstances, apply for British nationality straight after receiving PR (if PR is confirmed at a date a year or more earlier than application date).

If I can receive the PR confirmation before 31st of December 2020, and they write that I'm free from immigration control a year ago, I will be ready to apply for BC.

I've a few doubts I've written on this thread: https://www.immigrationboards.com/eea-r ... 03507.html

My main doubts are about timings (as PR would not be valid anymore on 2021), the need to provide proofs for any period previous to the 5 years qualifying period. (Otherwise I will have the same issues as with the BC), and anything wrong about applying for PR when you have already Settle Status.

I know my case is quite specific, and this solution might not work for most of you, but if you had the same bad lucky as me (If I had waited only a bit more to apply for Settle Status, I wouldn't had any issue at all), then maybe this is a good possibility.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks
Why would you do that?
If you have in your time in the UK 5 continuous years of employment then you automatically received a PR Status when they look at your application?

You would just state it anyway in your 10 year employment history and in your cover letter.
Hey @Frou01 , I know about the automatic status but I thought I would need to apply for Permanent Residence in order to get officially that status, so I can apply for British Citizenship with that route, instead of Settle Status.

I've had a quick read to the AN Guide https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... -06-20.pdf, and I can see this (Page 15):
If you have been granted indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK, including
under the EU Settlement Scheme, and use that to support your application we will
use the date you were granted ILR as the date that you became free from
immigration time restrictions. If you acquired permanent residence before being
granted indefinite leave to enter or remain under the EU Settlement Scheme and
want to rely on the date that you acquired permanent residence for your citizenship
application, you will need to have a permanent residence document
.
.
And this:
If you believe you are free from immigration time restrictions to reside in the UK for
another reason, please give details at section 2.8 and provide evidence of this
The wording is a little bit confusing, but in page 14 is more clear (At least for my understanding):
If you are a national of a country which is a member state of the EEA or Switzerland,
or the family member of such a person and providing you complied with the
requirements of the EEA Regulations, such as holding comprehensive sickness
insurance, you will automatically have permanent residence status after exercising
free movement rights in the UK for any continuous period of 5 years ending
on or
after 30 April 2006. If you wish to, you can apply for a permanent residence card to
prove that you hold the status before applying for citizenship
. Information on
permanent residence cards can be found on the Gov.UK website.
It's saying that I need to have a permanent residence card in order to apply for British citizenship with this route...

Did you see something different in any other part of the guide?

UNLESS, "If you wish" means... it's totally optional. But it's super confusing...
Unfortunately I’m confused about it as well now.

Why not try an immigration adviser or somewhere to get a free professional advice just on that matter.

I’m btw one of them with a pending application in that circumstances.
When I applied first days of my still the old guidance was in place, but the wording has changed.
I had a period not exercising treaty rights as I had very difficult circumstances.
When the guidance was published two weeks after my submission I instructed an immigration lawyer explaining my circumstances in a new cover letter.
Also I provided more evidence to prove what has happened back then.

I’m in full time employment, but just not all the time.

The uncertainty is very concerning for me.
I personally think my situation some years ago provides sufficient evidence to exercise discretion.
But I have no idea how the caseworker will see that.

I really hope for the best and that the wait will be over soon!

User avatar
alterhase58
Moderator
Posts: 8707
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Location: UK Bucks
Germany

Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by alterhase58 » Sun Jul 19, 2020 9:14 pm

Re. PR card requirement for naturalisation:
the requirement to have a document certifying permanent residence has been in place since 2015, and had to be held one year (just like ILR & Settled Status) from acquiring PR (except if PR was acquired more than five years before application then could be used immediately). And if spouse is British citizen then could apply immediately.
This is just my opinion as a member of this forum and does not constitute immigration advice.
Please do not send me private messages asking for advice.

uklondonn
Newbie
Posts: 37
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2018 10:38 pm
Spain

Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by uklondonn » Sun Jul 19, 2020 11:30 pm

alterhase58 wrote:
Sun Jul 19, 2020 9:14 pm
Re. PR card requirement for naturalisation:
the requirement to have a document certifying permanent residence has been in place since 2015, and had to be held one year (just like ILR & Settled Status) from acquiring PR (except if PR was acquired more than five years before application then could be used immediately). And if spouse is British citizen then could apply immediately.
Thanks for clarifying Alterhase58.

Now I need to find out if I can apply for PR having Settle status. I'm in doubt because I found this:
https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-ci ... ve-applied
If you already have an outstanding immigration application
In most cases, your outstanding immigration application will not be considered if you apply for the EU Settlement Scheme. You’ll get a refund for your outstanding application.
Contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to find out how your outstanding immigration application will be affected.
And they actually ask me for any Home Office visa/document I've applied for and the number. So they are going to find out about my Settle Status straight away.

I might call the Home Office support line to ask about this... Unless anyone found something in an official guide? Or by someone's experience?

dogcat wrote:
Sun Jul 19, 2020 8:23 pm
Assuming, you've been granted Settled Status, I don't think anybody is going to revoke it for you so you can then apply for PR card.

Why not just explain that you have been exercising treaty rights for 5 cont.years at some point and achieved PR status therefore there was no need for you to be exercising treaty rights past the point of achieving PR status.
By the way dogcat, where you assuming Frou01 was alright? I thought Froud had a recent experience with this... But it actually makes more sense what Alterhase58 was saying: this has changed over the time (2015). I remembered people talking about not needing PR document in BC application but that can be in some very old threads, and also the documents seems to match with Alterhase58 is saying so...

And it make sense about not revoking Settle Status, but who knows with Home Office and their weird interpretation about laws... We can only trust on documents/guides or previous people experiences...

Good luck in your case Frou01! Hopefully you will be fine! Exactly the same as the rest of the people that have applied before the update on May :) You also made an update after the guide change, but hopefully that would be totally fine. The issue comes with people that have applied after... If there is any!!


By the way, anyone remembers for a Permanent Residence application if Home Office can start the qualifying year in the middle of the year? Or they only count FULL financial or natural years? (They only ask for P60's)
Because I would like to be taken in account my first half fiscal year too.

If anyone is experienced with PR, please, help me on this thread: https://www.immigrationboards.com/eea-r ... 03507.html
I think most of the people experienced with PR are gone already :cry:

Thanks!

Frou01
Member of Standing
Posts: 382
Joined: Thu Apr 30, 2020 10:29 pm
Mood:
Finland

Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by Frou01 » Mon Jul 20, 2020 12:05 pm

uklondonn wrote:
Sun Jul 19, 2020 11:30 pm
alterhase58 wrote:
Sun Jul 19, 2020 9:14 pm
Re. PR card requirement for naturalisation:
the requirement to have a document certifying permanent residence has been in place since 2015, and had to be held one year (just like ILR & Settled Status) from acquiring PR (except if PR was acquired more than five years before application then could be used immediately). And if spouse is British citizen then could apply immediately.
Thank you.

Thanks for clarifying Alterhase58.

Now I need to find out if I can apply for PR having Settle status. I'm in doubt because I found this:
https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-ci ... ve-applied
If you already have an outstanding immigration application
In most cases, your outstanding immigration application will not be considered if you apply for the EU Settlement Scheme. You’ll get a refund for your outstanding application.
Contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to find out how your outstanding immigration application will be affected.
And they actually ask me for any Home Office visa/document I've applied for and the number. So they are going to find out about my Settle Status straight away.

I might call the Home Office support line to ask about this... Unless anyone found something in an official guide? Or by someone's experience?

dogcat wrote:
Sun Jul 19, 2020 8:23 pm
Assuming, you've been granted Settled Status, I don't think anybody is going to revoke it for you so you can then apply for PR card.

Why not just explain that you have been exercising treaty rights for 5 cont.years at some point and achieved PR status therefore there was no need for you to be exercising treaty rights past the point of achieving PR status.
By the way dogcat, where you assuming Frou01 was alright? I thought Froud had a recent experience with this... But it actually makes more sense what Alterhase58 was saying: this has changed over the time (2015). I remembered people talking about not needing PR document in BC application but that can be in some very old threads, and also the documents seems to match with Alterhase58 is saying so...

And it make sense about not revoking Settle Status, but who knows with Home Office and their weird interpretation about laws... We can only trust on documents/guides or previous people experiences...

Good luck in your case Frou01! Hopefully you will be fine! Exactly the same as the rest of the people that have applied before the update on May :) You also made an update after the guide change, but hopefully that would be totally fine. The issue comes with people that have applied after... If there is any!!


By the way, anyone remembers for a Permanent Residence application if Home Office can start the qualifying year in the middle of the year? Or they only count FULL financial or natural years? (They only ask for P60's)
Because I would like to be taken in account my first half fiscal year too.

If anyone is experienced with PR, please, help me on this thread: https://www.immigrationboards.com/eea-r ... 03507.html
I think most of the people experienced with PR are gone already :cry:

Thanks!

Zozo27
Newly Registered
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Jul 30, 2020 1:31 pm
United Kingdom

Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by Zozo27 » Thu Jul 30, 2020 1:36 pm

Hi guys

Hope you are well.

Just wondering if any anyone who applied after 15 May and could possibly be affected by the CSI requirement has received a reply from HO?

Thanks

jpl
Newly Registered
Posts: 15
Joined: Mon Jan 06, 2020 9:20 pm
European Union

Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by jpl » Fri Jul 31, 2020 11:55 am

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to check in to provide another data point in case someone in a similar position to myself finds it useful.

I applied for naturalisation just after the new rules on Settled Status and CSI were published. While I did have CSI for the relevant parts of my qualifying period, the Home Office rejected my evidence for it (Form E104) when I applied for permanent residence. As a result, I was quite nervous about them rejecting my naturalisation application on the same basis, but I'm really relieved to say that I received my approval email today!

The conclusion I draw is that either (1) the Home Office is more willing to accept different types of evidence of CSI than they have in the past; or (2) the they rejected my evidence, but were lenient with respect to the requirement to have had CSI. I don't personally believe that they would apply a cutoff policy with respect to the date they published the new guidelines, but for what it's worth, I sent in my application the day after the guidelines were published.

Best of luck to those of you still waiting to hear back.

uklondonn
Newbie
Posts: 37
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2018 10:38 pm
Spain

Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by uklondonn » Sun Aug 02, 2020 12:02 pm

jpl wrote:
Fri Jul 31, 2020 11:55 am
Hi everyone,

Just wanted to check in to provide another data point in case someone in a similar position to myself finds it useful.

I applied for naturalisation just after the new rules on Settled Status and CSI were published. While I did have CSI for the relevant parts of my qualifying period, the Home Office rejected my evidence for it (Form E104) when I applied for permanent residence. As a result, I was quite nervous about them rejecting my naturalisation application on the same basis, but I'm really relieved to say that I received my approval email today!

The conclusion I draw is that either (1) the Home Office is more willing to accept different types of evidence of CSI than they have in the past; or (2) the they rejected my evidence, but were lenient with respect to the requirement to have had CSI. I don't personally believe that they would apply a cutoff policy with respect to the date they published the new guidelines, but for what it's worth, I sent in my application the day after the guidelines were published.

Best of luck to those of you still waiting to hear back.
Hi,
jpl thanks for your message!
If Home Office rejected your E104, what kind of evidence did you provide them after the rejection?
How big was/were your gap/s? (No employment)
Where you an student or self sufficient? Did you provide any more documentation to support your application (student or self sufficient periods)?

Thanks a lot!!

vimaed
Newly Registered
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2020 3:34 pm
Mood:
United Kingdom

Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by vimaed » Sun Aug 02, 2020 3:43 pm

On what grounds does the HO exercise discretion for you not having a CSI while being a student? I have been living in the UK since I was a a young child (2004) did school and finished university a year ago, got my settled status in May 2019. I want to apply for Citizenship but im afraid they will deny me on grounds of not having CSI while I was at university over the last 5 years.

Have anyone been successful with the home office granting discretion for not having CSI?

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Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by Frou01 » Sun Aug 02, 2020 4:02 pm

vimaed wrote:
Sun Aug 02, 2020 3:43 pm
On what grounds does the HO exercise discretion for you not having a CSI while being a student? I have been living in the UK since I was a a young child (2004) did school and finished university a year ago, got my settled status in May 2019. I want to apply for Citizenship but im afraid they will deny me on grounds of not having CSI while I was at university over the last 5 years.

Have anyone been successful with the home office granting discretion for not having CSI?
I can clearly tell you from my research and talking to many applicants, HO has in the last 18 months approved so many people with a lack of CSI where needed.
Even know if people not working for even one day and would absolutely not qualify looking at the laws.

However these have applied before the update.
We simply don’t know how they will handle applications now. And thinking they would refuse people for maybe not having 1-2 years CSI in their qualifying period while others not even asked to prove lawful residence would be crazy and enormously unfair.

The applicant above applying after the new update had E104 which means had always insurance by their home country and I understand that is accepted.
However having a refusal for a previous PR application usually should be explained in a supporting cover letter, but maybe that has been the case?

In your case, as you came as a child you could maybe apply as dependent of EU citizens parents exercising treaty rights at that time?
I would go for legal advice and see if you can apply on these terms.

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Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by Frou01 » Sun Aug 02, 2020 4:12 pm

And I find it highly concerning the guidance doesn’t state on what terms they exercise discretion.
As the fee is non refundable is quite a gamble and I personally think they should clarify that.

Will it be enough simply to explain you didn’t know about CSI and the law and declare you didn’t mean to break any laws? And it’s just about admitting it?

Or is it only for serious matters? Like being a carer of a relative and not able to work (but even then they could say why not signing up for an insurance)?

Or for people who were victims of DV?

It is absolutely unclear.

However if we would see refusals on that ground telling people their qualifying period has been unlawful, I’m curious how they would explain approving so many people before with unlawful residence?
Because their statement is it has always been a law. So why pause that law then and treat applications so different?

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Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by jpl » Sun Aug 02, 2020 5:20 pm

uklondonn wrote:
Sun Aug 02, 2020 12:02 pm
Hi,
jpl thanks for your message!
If Home Office rejected your E104, what kind of evidence did you provide them after the rejection?
How big was/were your gap/s? (No employment)
Where you an student or self sufficient? Did you provide any more documentation to support your application (student or self sufficient periods)?

Thanks a lot!!
I came here as a student in 2012 and graduated in 2017, so my understanding is that I would have had to show evidence of CSI coverage between 2015-2017 (2020 minus 5 years). I've been working full-time since I left university, so I was lucky enough not to have any further gaps there.

With respect to my rejected E104, I contacted the social security authorities of my home country to ask if there was any other document they could provide. The administrators I ended up speaking to were quite taken aback that any other EU/EEA country would refuse an E104 - which is meant to be accepted by everyone, even without translation - and the only other document they were happy to issue was a letter in English saying something to the effect of

"This is to certify that jpl was de-registered from [country] social security on [date in 2017]"
- which is of course exactly what the E104 said in the first place! Anyway, I attached both the original E104 and the letter to my application.

When applying for permanent residence, I had also uploaded the Kent University practice note on E104s. Home Office seemed not to have taken it into any consideration, given their refusal, but I figured it couldn't hurt to attach it again to my citizenship application.

I also added P60s and a letter from my employer to prove residence for the time I spent here since I graduated. I didn't submit anything to prove economic self-sufficiency for my time as a student, and was never asked to provide any additional documents.

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Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by uklondonn » Sun Aug 02, 2020 9:46 pm

jpl wrote:
Sun Aug 02, 2020 5:20 pm
uklondonn wrote:
Sun Aug 02, 2020 12:02 pm
Hi,
jpl thanks for your message!
If Home Office rejected your E104, what kind of evidence did you provide them after the rejection?
How big was/were your gap/s? (No employment)
Where you an student or self sufficient? Did you provide any more documentation to support your application (student or self sufficient periods)?

Thanks a lot!!
I came here as a student in 2012 and graduated in 2017, so my understanding is that I would have had to show evidence of CSI coverage between 2015-2017 (2020 minus 5 years). I've been working full-time since I left university, so I was lucky enough not to have any further gaps there.

With respect to my rejected E104, I contacted the social security authorities of my home country to ask if there was any other document they could provide. The administrators I ended up speaking to were quite taken aback that any other EU/EEA country would refuse an E104 - which is meant to be accepted by everyone, even without translation - and the only other document they were happy to issue was a letter in English saying something to the effect of

"This is to certify that jpl was de-registered from [country] social security on [date in 2017]"
- which is of course exactly what the E104 said in the first place! Anyway, I attached both the original E104 and the letter to my application.

When applying for permanent residence, I had also uploaded the Kent University practice note on E104s. Home Office seemed not to have taken it into any consideration, given their refusal, but I figured it couldn't hurt to attach it again to my citizenship application.

I also added P60s and a letter from my employer to prove residence for the time I spent here since I graduated. I didn't submit anything to prove economic self-sufficiency for my time as a student, and was never asked to provide any additional documents.

Oh, hang on, I missed the bit about your rejection of E104 in your Permanent Residence application. I thought that rejection was in the Naturalisation application.

I guess by Permanent Residence you meant "EU Settlement Scheme"? Just to be sure, because permanent Residence, is something different that requires different documentation and CSI was actually a requirement.
For EU Settlement Scheme CSI is not a requirement.
So I'm a bit confuse about your reasons to include the E104 in your EU Settlement application...
Did you included the letter from your country's social security after the rejection? Or how was that process? (I'm trying to understand if that letter makes any difference at all)

And now, knowing that the rejection (About E104) was when applying for EU Settlement Scheme... (Maybe it make sense, as it was not necessary) Would you mind to explain what documents have you included in your naturalisation application? Only the official E104, both the form E104 + the letter?

By the way, self sufficient is a different category, if you are an student you only need to have CSI to exercise treaty rights.

One latest thing
so my understanding is that I would have had to show evidence of CSI coverage between 2015-2017 (2020 minus 5 years)
There is a lot of confusion about this point... (We had a lot of discussions about that in this thread) The 5 qualifying years are prior to obtaining Settle Status, not based on the your naturalisation application. Let's say you obtained Settle Status the 1st May 2019. You applied for Naturalisation 20th May 2020. You would have needed CSI or equivalent (Working) from 1st May 2014 to 1st May 2019.


Directly from the case worker guide (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... gov-uk.pdf) :

.You must assess whether the applicant was lawfully
resident under the EEA Regulations in accordance with that guidance and therefore
lawfully in the UK for any residence prior to the grant of pre-settled status, or settled
status.
You must assess whether the individual has been here lawfully during their 3 or 5
year residential period prior to pre-settled status or settled status

But today... I found something that might be a light at the end of the tunnel:
People who were in the UK in accordance with EU law may have acquired
permanent residence at some point, despite not having a document. A right to reside
under EU law exists automatically where the terms of the EEA Regulations are met.
If they had time periods where they were not here in accordance with the EEA
Reulations you must determine if they were here lawfully on the basis that they had
previously acquired permanent residence and were no longer required to meet
certain requirements, such as being a qualified person.
Thanks for your help!

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Re: General discussion on CSI and Settled Status. Big issues for people on the EEA-Applications Routes

Post by jpl » Mon Aug 03, 2020 9:18 am

uklondonn wrote:
Sun Aug 02, 2020 9:46 pm
Oh, hang on, I missed the bit about your rejection of E104 in your Permanent Residence application. I thought that rejection was in the Naturalisation application.

I guess by Permanent Residence you meant "EU Settlement Scheme"? Just to be sure, because permanent Residence, is something different that requires different documentation and CSI was actually a requirement.
For EU Settlement Scheme CSI is not a requirement.
So I'm a bit confuse about your reasons to include the E104 in your EU Settlement application...
Did you included the letter from your country's social security after the rejection? Or how was that process? (I'm trying to understand if that letter makes any difference at all)

And now, knowing that the rejection (About E104) was when applying for EU Settlement Scheme... (Maybe it make sense, as it was not necessary) Would you mind to explain what documents have you included in your naturalisation application? Only the official E104, both the form E104 + the letter?
Apologies, maybe I was too concise in my update. When I said "permanent residence" I actually meant Permanent Residence rather than Settled Status.

I applied for and was approved Settled Status last year. Later in the year, I decided that I wanted to apply for naturalisation. Since you have to wait a year after getting both Settled Status and Permanent Residence, but the latter can be backdated, I then decided to also apply for Permanent Residence in order to get the whole citizenship thing over with as soon as possible.

Since you need to show evidence of CSI for Permanent Residence applications, I attached my E104 as part of that application. There was no need for it when applying for Settled Status. The E104 ended up being disregarded from my Permanent Residence application, which meant that my PR document couldn't be backdated far enough and that I instead had to rely on my Settled Status to apply for naturalisation.

I then became aware of the need to show evidence of CSI when applying for naturalisation using Settled Status, so I attached the same evidence I had used for my Permanent Residence application, plus the letter from my home country administration.

Hope this helps!

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