CSI - when is it needed

Hi all,

I appreciate this question has been asked left right and centre. I have researched the CSI requirements online and still find conflicting info.

My details, briefly:
- Italian, arrived in UK in 6/2012
- Worked as a waitress from 6/2012 - 10/2013
- Studied from 9/2013 - 6/2014
- Worked as a waitress during 7/2014 (but forgot to mention in the application)
- Worked as a teacher full time in state schools in England since 8/2014 - present.

I did not have CSI insurance during my study period; however, the requirement of "lawful residency" is covered for the past 5 years.

Would it help if I sent a letter to the HO giving an explanation? Or am I going to be fine?

Thank you in advance.

B

Hello

You explain only if they ask you about it and your mileage varies. They can accept your explanation but they can as well reject it.

You need to show that you didn't have any immigration rules breach during the last 10 years. Sometimes they exercise discretion, sometimes not.

Thank you Zerubbabel.

When you say "Explain only if they ask", are you implying they would contact me to ask for clarification on the lack of CSI? I had my biometrics appointment today and the officer asked about the CSI but nothing else.

I do meet the residency requirements for the past 5 years. In my case, would they use the CSI requirement to determine if someone is of "good character" (over the past 10 years), and not to determine if the applicant has met the "residency" requirements (because that's over 5, not 10 years) - is this correct?

I am now thinking if the following responses are incorrect in my application. Please can you advise on if the following are inaccurate:

Do you meet these residence requirements? ANSWER = YES (lawful residence over the past 5 years)

Are there any reasons why you cannot meet the
requirements to become a British citizen (for
example, you have had too many absences from the
UK)? ANSWER = NO (should I have said YES - and mention I was not aware of the CSI requirement at the time)

If you do not meet the statutory requirements to
become a British citizen, are there any special
circumstances why you think the Home Secretary should still grant your application?
ANSWER = NO

Thank you again,

B

So far there is no evidence that applications are being refused purely due to lack or issues with CSI. There is a trickle of reports across various forums that applicants have been approved despite having no or patchy CSI. So it appears discretion is being applied - you could attach a covering note explaining your situation.

Note that the question about "If you do not meet the statutory requirements to become a British citizen ..." is for cases where an application would automatically fail, such as excessive absences or serious criminality.

Thank you alterhase58. Got the email yesterday saying application has been successful - ha! That was quick.

Thank you both for your help!

Congratulations!
Good to know it went so quick and CSI was not an issue.