Choi Saab wrote:Thanx for clarifying.
I will not be using any application forms so I'm not signing any declarations. How about I provide material that the EU law deems sufficient? I mean I really want to keep it light and simple. Had to fight a very tough battle over 2 years for my RC, in the end had to take it to the parliamentary ombudsman via MP. Don't want to go through the pain again.
If I send P60s covering the first 4 years and pay slips covering the last year, would that be sensible?
Regarding maternity, the employer was notified of the pregnancy but there was no written leave grant or anything of that sort. Just a verbal request that was granted and the manager said 'let us know when you will be ready to resume the job'. So basically it's a birth certificate confirming the pregnancy in the said period and lack of income for 7 straight months.
The point about the Declaration still stands.
There seems to be a kind of immigration karma that tends to manifest itself when least expected (least wanted) somewhere down the line.
Honesty (and disclosure of material facts) is the best policy.
I think you are probably aware HO is not always compliant with EU law.
Simply asserting verbal agreements is going to be hard to prove.
HO caseworkers prove time after time they are not usually/naturally disposed to giving benefit of doubt.
All these requirements are well-known, it would have been prudent to generate a papertrail even if only for immigration purposes.
You really need rock-solid if not unimpeachable documentary supporting evidence.
Pro tip: Always look one visa or application ahead, procure the paperwork, cultivate the potential referees (or whatever it may be),
Anyway, you are where you are and you will have to work with what you've got.
However there is nothing to stop you asking for an employer to confirm in writing what you are asserting eg about maternity leave..
For example, we've seen members here who are long-standing married couples who present marriage certificates being refused (sometimes), for having an invalid relationship or marriage of convenience (even when patently genuine).
The point being: don't rely on single pieces of evidence (single points of failure) for any aspect of the application.
After all, why give HO the Spam of 'wriggle room'.