Immigrationboards.com

Hi
Im French citizen and have been living here for 20+ years. In january 2000 I received permanent residence which was stamped in my passport which now obviously expired,was taken away and replace with new one.
All I have is a letter from home office sent to me in january 2000 stating that I have been granted permanent residence in the UK with vignette number.
As Im applying for British citizenship I would like to know whether they will accept this letter or I need to apply for this new permanent residency card.

In the first instance I phoned Home office but the advice wasn't helpful at all. They said seek legal advice lol.
Any help will be appraciated.
Thank you

Others here will know better than I, but if you have a letter confirming Permanent Residence with dates etc. I should have thought that was proof of being here legally, if you have fulfilled the ongoing requirements.

Refusal of the application for Citizenship is costly though and even if the HO are in the wrong it can be a traumatic and time consuming business to sort it out.

A Subnject Access Request to the Home Office (see below) which can be specific, could possibly help if you wanted to get further detail surrounding your application for Permanent Residence. That is of course if the Home Office have it. What specifically does your letter say?

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... mmigration.

I applied for Citizenship submitting proof of Indefinite Leave To Remain (Passport 1978) and was turned down by the Caseworker who said as an EEA citizen I had to have a Permanent Residence Card to prove settled status. I subsequently found out this was wrong and reapplied pointing out I was applying with ILR and not from exercising EU Treaty Rights. I just received my Citizenship.

Thank you very much and sorry for a late reply.
My letter says:
...you have been granted permanent residence in the UK. Your passport which is enclosed has been endorsed with vignette number..... If you obtain a new passport you may ask us to stamp it to show your immigration status....(which I never did)

I think from what you said my situation is very similar if not the same.
I think I will take my chances and will submit this letter and will appeal if turned down.

thank you

Your letter in original is the proof and sufficient. I still have mine from 1985 which was accepted, but I also had the blue card and passport with stamps. Treat it like gold dust!