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Naturalisation - council tax
Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2023 4:25 pm
by Wander3r
Hello kind internet strangers
I have been living in the UK for over a decade. My partner is British. I'm finally seeking British citizenship
My question is about residency proofs. I have been told by the immigration office that council taxes could be used as proof.
I'm however confused. I thought I had to prove that I had been in the UK exactly 3 years prior to the application. Council taxes are annual. Do they simply assume one was there the entire year?
I was planning to use bank statements to cover specific days. But that doesn't seem to be possible.
Could anyone shed some light on this?
Thanks in advance

Re: Naturalisation - council tax
Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2023 4:32 pm
by CR001
What immigration route did you follow to ILR?
There is no requirement to submit evidence to prove you were physically present at the start of the qualifying period. Proving residency is a separate requirement to the physical presence requirement.
Also, you say partner. Are you married or unmarried?
Re: Naturalisation - council tax
Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2023 4:53 pm
by Wander3r
CR001 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 22, 2023 4:32 pm
What immigration route did you follow to ILR?
There is no requirement to submit evidence to prove you were physically present at the start of the qualifying period. Proving residency is a separate requirement to the physical presence requirement.
Also, you say partner. Are you married or unmarried?
Thanks for your reply! That was incredibly quick
I received settled status via the EU Settlement Scheme.
Yes, we are married.
I have filled the online form up to the payment page. I was asked for proofs of residency and I intend to use the council tax statements for that.
Will I be asked for a physical presence proof at a later stage? Or is it not required for candidates with my profile?
"prove you were in the UK exactly 3 years before the day the Home Office receives your application"
https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-spouse
Proof of physical presence
Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2023 11:30 am
by Wander3r
Hello!
I'm about to apply for British citizenship. I'm a homemaker married to a British partner. I received settled status via the EU settlement scheme several years ago.
I will use my council tax statements to prove residency.
The physical presence requirement is also needed for eligibility. I was present in the UK exactly 3 years prior to application. I however don't have a proof of that (no employment/education record at the time).
Do I need to prove this? Or is it checked automatically by the authorities (border force databases)?
I had filled the forms up to the payment page and no proof was asked. Based on this post, I won't need to provide a proof at a later stage:
immigrationboards.com/bri…tml
I would however like to be sure as it is an expensive process!
Thanks in advance

Re: Proof of physical presence
Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2023 12:31 pm
by alterhase58
As per reply noted in other thread.
No specific proof required for the day 3 years ago - UKVI can look at databases, we don't know if/when they do it, their databases aren't always complete.
Re: Proof of physical presence
Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2023 2:36 pm
by Wander3r
alterhase58 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 23, 2023 12:31 pm
As per reply noted in other thread.
No specific proof required for the day 3 years ago - UKVI can look at databases, we don't know if/when they do it, their databases aren't always complete.
Thanks alterhase58

Travelling during naturalisation process
Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2023 11:54 am
by Wander3r
Hello,
I'm applying for UK citizenship as a EU national with settled status. I'll likely finalise my application next week.
At what stage of the naturalisation process will I need to provide my passport?
I'm due to travel in November. Just for a week. I'll also need my passport the week prior to apply for a visa.
Thanks for your help

Re: Travelling during naturalisation process
Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2023 11:56 am
by meself2
Wander3r wrote: ↑Fri Aug 25, 2023 11:54 am
At what stage of the naturalisation process will I need to provide my passport?
You don't send your actual passport anywhere (just upload copies) and you're free to travel while application is in progress.
Re: Travelling during naturalisation process
Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2023 11:58 am
by Wander3r
Brilliant, thanks for your reply!

Naturalisation - knowledge of English for indefinite leave
Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2023 7:10 pm
by Wander3r
Hello
Could you please clarify the following question:
"Did you meet the knowledge of English requirement as part of an indefinite leave application made after 28/10/13?"
- I was granted settled status via the EU scheme.
- I was not required to pass an approved language test as part of the indefinitive leave application.
- I already had a good knowledge of English at the time (it was however untested).
I believe the answer is "no" (as I didn't have to prove my English skills in order to apply).
My partner who is British thinks the answer is "yes" (as I knew English at the time of application).
I have recently passed the IELTS and will provide my results as part of the naturalisation process.
You have been really helpful! Last question and ready to submit my application
Thanks again!
Re: Naturalisation - knowledge of English for indefinite leave
Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2023 7:23 pm
by Casa
Wander3r wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 7:10 pm
Hello
Could you please clarify the following question:
"Did you meet the knowledge of English requirement as part of an indefinite leave application made after 28/10/13?"
- I was granted settled status via the EU scheme.
- I was not required to pass an approved language test as part of the indefinitive leave application.
- I already had a good knowledge of English at the time (it was however untested).
I believe the answer is "no" (as I didn't have to prove my English skills in order to apply).
My partner who is British thinks the answer is "yes" (as I knew English at the time of application).
I have recently passed the IELTS and will provide my results as part of the naturalisation process.
You have been really helpful! Last question and ready to submit my application
Thanks again!
The correct answer is 'No'
It appears from your post that you have Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme, not ILR under the Immigration Rules.
For a British Citizenship application you will need B1 level English from a Home Office approved test and also you will be required to pass the Life in the UK Test (KOLL) before you apply.
https://www.gov.uk/english-language/app ... ifications