British Naturalisation application stage documentation and qualifying criteria

cutepup wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 22, 2025 10:33 am

I am in the process of completing the citizenship application however I need some help on few pointers. any help is greatly appreciated.

Referee:
Does a regular high school teacher qualify as professional?

Yes if they are a trained teacher and full member of staff (not just a TA). Best if they are a member of a chartered organisation.

Date of Abscence from the Uk:
Do I fullfill the criteria if in the last year before application I have 91 days abscence and in the last 5 less than 700 days? Since this falls under the special rules, my understanding is that above 450 days in 5 year period you need to fulfill all of the other criterias + be residing legally in UK for more than 7 years, which I have. Then what I need to clarify is:
1) Do I peronally have to write in the application form to use discretion regarding the excess days and to apply the 7 year rule or is automatic. and if I have to write it where do I write that in additional notes section, or add a written statement in the document section? Yes. It is easier to upload a separate cover letter. You will need to provide additional documents to prove you lived in the UK for the 2 years prior and prove you have strong links to the UK through having established your family/home/employment/finances here. Suitable proofs are marriage certificate, tenancy agreements or mortgage statements, P60s or letters from employers, bank statements.
2) for the 7 years. In the original requirement it says that I need to be present in uk the day of the application itself 5 years prior, so if 20 march 2025, I needed to be in uk on 20 march 2020. Does the 7 years means I need to be present in this example on 20 march 2018 also or is just the 5 years I need to fulfill? This requirement applies just to the 5 year mark. If you applied on the 20 March 2025 you need to have been in the UK on the 21 March 2020.

Evidence of lawful residence: I have settled status and lived continously in uk since 1987, however I have been disabled and on benefits for more than a decade, my understanding for people on benefit is that the immigration agency dealing with Naturalisation has my national insurance contribution on the system and that is checked automatically while filling the form, so I do not need to prepare to show evidence, such as bank statements , council tax or even NI contribution or benefit letters for that period. If correct the documentation to submit are : my passport, life in the uk, english test and referees, possibly settled status qr code and nothing else since my continous 7 years residence is state benefit veried by the system itself. To know this before compiling the application will save me from searching for years of evedince so I ll be grateful of any input on the matter THanks This automated check happens for EUSS applications, not for British citizenship ones, so you need to get 7 years worth of letters from the DWP to prove you lived here for 7 years.

lastly do the offer documention checking services at the biometric appointment or at the centres that do life in the uk test? Someone told me is possible by paying a fee It will be at the biometrics appointment however note that the clerks working there are not from UKVI or familiar with nationality law.

thanks for your time and help