Citizenship Application by Post via AN
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 12:33 am
Dear members,
I am applying for my wife citizenship application (via post) and have got some questions. If you can help and advice then I would really appreciate. (could apply via online and still considering).
1. My wife came to the UK in 2013 as a spouse of a ILR holder (she was in the UK prev under PSW dep)
2. I acquired the BC in 2014.
3. She was given the 30+ months visa as an entry clearance.
4. We then applied for an extension of stay in 2016 and she was given another 30 months.
5. The letter from the HO states that she has been given extension under Appendix FM immigration rules.
6. The letter also states that she can apply for settlement after completing at least 5 years under this route.
7. The HO heading for the letter is " FIVE YEAR PARTNER ROUTE".
8. She completed 5 years in 2018 and we applied ILR and she received it without any issues.
9. I knew that I cud apply BC after 1 year but we just did not.
Partner 3/5 years route
Now when I read the AN form and guidance and by searching the forum where some people say can apply under 3 years or 5 years but as per my understanding and the HO letters it states at least completing 5years for settlement. I am not sure if she did not have ILR and still on spouse visa with extension, was she eligible to apply without ILR under 3 years route for BC (confused as hell on this one an not sure if rules were different at that time).
Applying BC in 2024
Based on that we now going to apply for BC in 2024 and I have some QS if you guys can help.
1. AN form personal information 1.5 and after stating your full name, it says you must provide evidence of this name such as a marriage certificate and some other documents but does not state anything else. (We have always used our marriage certificate but it has her previous surname from her father). We always used the same one for entry clearance, extension and ILR and no issues. At 1.7 it does ask her name at birth where I will write her previous surname. Every other document is as per the new surname. Q, do I need to provide this certificate?
2. 1.16 for your present address and 1.17 for previous address for 5 years. We have been more than 5 years at this address and again by searching this forum some ppl suggested to use "Date of Application" in the "TO" boxes and some said write "To Date". DO not know but will just write Date of Application unless someone say something different.
3. Life in the UK SAECTION - she passed years ago when she was here on a different visa and AN guidance says must submit the letter so I will do so and no issues here.
4. English Language - she has BI and was used for her ILR and again no issues as the guidance says if it was used to get ILR then can be used and do not need another one. Ask to supply the ref number only so again no issues here.
5. Details of your partner - again we will fill the section accordingly.
6. Employment - she never worked and we will write Housewife.
7. Residence requirements - so as per my understanding and after reading the guidance, I can only say that it asks for her arrival as spouse on 5 year route. It can also be confirmed via the Nationality forms guidance where it states "enter the day you first arrived in the UK with a view to stay on long term basis". However, I have seen mixed messages about it? Overall absences for 5 years and in the last year, all within the limit so no issues here and qualifying period as well.
8. Q2.6 " Free from restrictions" I would guess N/A so will just leave it blank.
9. Biometric enrolment - so we will fill the section and enclose the BRP and will also select HO to retain it.
10. Declaration - 7.8 refers to spouse passport copy, I am not sure about it but again no harm submitting but would like some clarification.
11. Supporting documents - it says provide documents relevant to you and says TICK to indicate type of evidence you have enclosed.
a - evidence of identity - no issues BRP and all the passports included. I will physically put a tick on
b - Evidence of language and life in the UK - it only talks about the language here and not the Life in the UK test. It also says if you have not passed the test at B1. Do I tick that box or not?
c - Evidence you were physically present - under 5 year route all passports will be supplied.
d- evidence of freedom from immigration - BRP showing ILR
e - evidence of marriage - so that was mentioned as above under personal information and now here. I believe it is applicable and I need to supply both, marriage certificate and my passport copy.
12. In regards to Biometric enrolment, AN guidance states that "We may be able to re-use
biometrics previously provided with earlier immigration applications". However, it says HO can still request and shud be supplied. Again no issue but was wondering if that have ever happended to anyone.
I do apologise for a long post but hoping that ppl who wants to apply via POST will find it helpful once dealt with.
I am applying for my wife citizenship application (via post) and have got some questions. If you can help and advice then I would really appreciate. (could apply via online and still considering).
1. My wife came to the UK in 2013 as a spouse of a ILR holder (she was in the UK prev under PSW dep)
2. I acquired the BC in 2014.
3. She was given the 30+ months visa as an entry clearance.
4. We then applied for an extension of stay in 2016 and she was given another 30 months.
5. The letter from the HO states that she has been given extension under Appendix FM immigration rules.
6. The letter also states that she can apply for settlement after completing at least 5 years under this route.
7. The HO heading for the letter is " FIVE YEAR PARTNER ROUTE".
8. She completed 5 years in 2018 and we applied ILR and she received it without any issues.
9. I knew that I cud apply BC after 1 year but we just did not.
Partner 3/5 years route
Now when I read the AN form and guidance and by searching the forum where some people say can apply under 3 years or 5 years but as per my understanding and the HO letters it states at least completing 5years for settlement. I am not sure if she did not have ILR and still on spouse visa with extension, was she eligible to apply without ILR under 3 years route for BC (confused as hell on this one an not sure if rules were different at that time).
Applying BC in 2024
Based on that we now going to apply for BC in 2024 and I have some QS if you guys can help.
1. AN form personal information 1.5 and after stating your full name, it says you must provide evidence of this name such as a marriage certificate and some other documents but does not state anything else. (We have always used our marriage certificate but it has her previous surname from her father). We always used the same one for entry clearance, extension and ILR and no issues. At 1.7 it does ask her name at birth where I will write her previous surname. Every other document is as per the new surname. Q, do I need to provide this certificate?
2. 1.16 for your present address and 1.17 for previous address for 5 years. We have been more than 5 years at this address and again by searching this forum some ppl suggested to use "Date of Application" in the "TO" boxes and some said write "To Date". DO not know but will just write Date of Application unless someone say something different.
3. Life in the UK SAECTION - she passed years ago when she was here on a different visa and AN guidance says must submit the letter so I will do so and no issues here.
4. English Language - she has BI and was used for her ILR and again no issues as the guidance says if it was used to get ILR then can be used and do not need another one. Ask to supply the ref number only so again no issues here.
5. Details of your partner - again we will fill the section accordingly.
6. Employment - she never worked and we will write Housewife.
7. Residence requirements - so as per my understanding and after reading the guidance, I can only say that it asks for her arrival as spouse on 5 year route. It can also be confirmed via the Nationality forms guidance where it states "enter the day you first arrived in the UK with a view to stay on long term basis". However, I have seen mixed messages about it? Overall absences for 5 years and in the last year, all within the limit so no issues here and qualifying period as well.
8. Q2.6 " Free from restrictions" I would guess N/A so will just leave it blank.
9. Biometric enrolment - so we will fill the section and enclose the BRP and will also select HO to retain it.
10. Declaration - 7.8 refers to spouse passport copy, I am not sure about it but again no harm submitting but would like some clarification.
11. Supporting documents - it says provide documents relevant to you and says TICK to indicate type of evidence you have enclosed.
a - evidence of identity - no issues BRP and all the passports included. I will physically put a tick on
b - Evidence of language and life in the UK - it only talks about the language here and not the Life in the UK test. It also says if you have not passed the test at B1. Do I tick that box or not?
c - Evidence you were physically present - under 5 year route all passports will be supplied.
d- evidence of freedom from immigration - BRP showing ILR
e - evidence of marriage - so that was mentioned as above under personal information and now here. I believe it is applicable and I need to supply both, marriage certificate and my passport copy.
12. In regards to Biometric enrolment, AN guidance states that "We may be able to re-use
biometrics previously provided with earlier immigration applications". However, it says HO can still request and shud be supplied. Again no issue but was wondering if that have ever happended to anyone.
I do apologise for a long post but hoping that ppl who wants to apply via POST will find it helpful once dealt with.