Residency Requirements

[bs216]

Hello.

I have quick question regarding a naturalization application of myself.

I have applied for naturalization online 12th September'19 and booked for an appointment to submit all the documents and bio-metrics on 20th September'19.

Saw one of the residency requirement is you will need to be physically present in UK exactly 5 years back from the day when Home Office receives the application. But I was out of UK in between 6th September'14 to 19th September'14.

I really thought the date of submission will be the day when I submit the documents and bio metrics on 20th September. But today (13th September'19) received an email from Home Office saying that my application has been received and is being considered.

Now the question is will my application be refused as because I wasn't present in UK 5 years ago from the day I applied online? I was under the impression from all of my previous application experiences that date of submission is usually the day home office receives the application along with required all documents.

Thanks in advance.

[Zerubbabel]

You have to be physically in the country at the start of the qualifying period you are relying on your application.

If you apply today (September 13, 2019) they check if you were physically in the UK September 14, 2014. If not, you are eligible.

They have some discretion as long as the absence is short (less than 2 months). So they will probably ask you to re-declare your application and this will have the effect of moving the application date forward to meet the condition.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... 3.0ext.pdf

Read page 14

But the condition itself is strong and is not negotiable.

[bs216]

Thanks a lot for your reply.

As its still under 2 months( 4 days in my case) hopefully home office will ask to redeclare the application.

[bs216]

Hello.
Last Thursday I have received a letter from Home Office requesting to send all the original passports to them which I did the following Friday straight away.
But not sure why they have requested these.
Any suggestions will be kindly appreciated?
Thanks.

[alterhase58]

Hello.
Last Thursday I have received a letter from Home Office requesting to send all the original passports to them which I did the following Friday straight away.
But not sure why they have requested these.
Any suggestions will be kindly appreciated?
Thanks.

UKVI can and does occasionally ask for originals, as in your case.
They may want to confirm that the document scans are of the originals, but that's just speculation.

[bs216]

Thanks for the reply.
Its been two weeks since I have sent my passports. But haven't heard anything back.
I'm not that worried about naturalisation update but more regarding my passports.
Not sure what should be my next step?