Entry date and Unemployment gaps

Hello - I am very grateful I have found this board; I enjoyed reading many helpful answers. I am myself in a very confusing situation and would love to hear advice from people here. I am trying to do what is right + what would maximise my chances of passing the Home Office test first time. Hoping some users here can advise on my situation and that this can help others in return. Many thanks in advance!

Situation:
I am applying for permanent residency. My aim is to get British citizenship as soon as possible (which is the next step to permanent residency). I am a single EU citizen.

Context:

• I entered the UK in Aug 2007, worked there until Jun 2011 (almost 4 years) and then went on a sabbatical travelling the world until I returned - unemployed - in Apr 2012
  From Apr 2012 until May 2013 (almost 1 year), I actively looked for a job but could only find one in May 2013
  From May 2013 until Dec 2016 (3.5 years), I worked in various companies - taking no longer than 1 month between employments
  I was unemployed from Dec 2016 until I found a new job in May 2017 (around 5 months)
  I have been employed since then (1.5 years)

I see 3 options:
1) Enter entry date as Aug 2007 but state (and offer evidence) that I only apply for the qualifying period May 2013 - May 2018 as worker + continued worker (vs. job seeker for the Dec 2016 - May 2017 unemployment as I see this is possible on the Home Office guidance)
2) Enter entry date as May 2013 and apply for May 2013 - May 2018
3) Enter entry date as Apr 2012 and apply for Feb 2013 - May 2018, stating that I entered the UK looking for work and only found in May 2013; as they allow for 3 months job seeker, could I use this to bring my continuing residence period to Feb 2013?
Variant of option 3: same but I state entry date = Feb 2013

All in all, I am unsure if I can have my residence approved for May 2013 start (and so can apply for citizenship in May 2019) or Feb 2013 or even earlier.

If anyone could please help - any guidance would be highly appreciated. Many thanks!

Hello - I am very grateful I have found this board; I enjoyed reading many helpful answers. I am myself in a very confusing situation and would love to hear advice from people here. I am trying to do what is right + what would maximise my chances of passing the Home Office test first time. Hoping some users here can advise on my situation and that this can help others in return. Many thanks in advance!

Situation:
I am applying for permanent residency. My aim is to get British citizenship as soon as possible (which is the next step to permanent residency). I am a single EU citizen.

Context:

• I entered the UK in Aug 2007, worked there until Jun 2011 (almost 4 years) and then went on a sabbatical travelling the world until I returned - unemployed - in Apr 2012
  From Apr 2012 until May 2013 (almost 1 year), I actively looked for a job but could only find one in May 2013
  From May 2013 until Dec 2016 (3.5 years), I worked in various companies - taking no longer than 1 month between employments
  I was unemployed from Dec 2016 until I found a new job in May 2017 (around 5 months)
  I have been employed since then (1.5 years)

I see 3 options:
1) Enter entry date as Aug 2007 but state (and offer evidence) that I only apply for the qualifying period May 2013 - May 2018 as worker + continued worker (vs. job seeker for the Dec 2016 - May 2017 unemployment as I see this is possible on the Home Office guidance)
2) Enter entry date as May 2013 and apply for May 2013 - May 2018
3) Enter entry date as Apr 2012 and apply for Feb 2013 - May 2018, stating that I entered the UK looking for work and only found in May 2013; as they allow for 3 months job seeker, could I use this to bring my continuing residence period to Feb 2013?
4) Variant of option 3: same but I state entry date = Feb 2013

All in all, I am unsure if I can have my residence approved for May 2013 start (and so can apply for citizenship in May 2019) or Feb 2013 or even earlier.

If anyone could please help - any guidance would be highly appreciated. Many thanks!

lorarex wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 29, 2018 8:36 pm

3) Enter entry date as Apr 2012 and apply for Feb 2013 - May 2018, stating that I entered the UK looking for work and only found in May 2013; as they allow for 3 months job seeker, could I use this to bring my continuing residence period to Feb 2013?

Go for Option 3 and do the following:

- Provide proof that you were job searching during Apr 2012-May 2013 - e-mails/etc.
- If you claimed JSA during that time, provide proof
- Add a covering letter explaining your situation and clarifying that you first entered in 2007, but that for the purposes of PR that period is irrelevant as you were absent for a year until you came back in 2012
- No need to show evidence of job-searching for the period Dec 2016-May 2017 - gaps of up to 6 months are allowed

lorarex wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 29, 2018 8:36 pm

2013

All in all, I am unsure if I can have my residence approved for May 2013 start (and so can apply for citizenship in May 2019) or Feb 2013 or even earlier.

Depends on HO and on your evidence for the initial period of unemployment after you returned in 2012.

Good luck.

Thanks a lot NikiGio - very helpful!