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Query - Qualifying Period and Previous Visa Applications.

Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2024 2:19 pm
by trantrungtri2911
Hi all,

Hope you are well.

I am currently applying for naturalisation as a British Citizen (AN), and have the following questions:

1) Qualifying period:
I received my ILR decision on 29 December 2023 (nearly a year ago). For the 5-year qualifying period, in 2019, I traveled outside the UK and only returned on 28 December 2019. This means the earliest possible date I could apply for AN is 29 December 2024. However, given the festive season with multiple bank holidays, and considering that I will be extremely busy in January, I am contemplating submitting my application around this time and booking my appointment after Christmas or in the first few days of January. Would this impact my application?

2) Previous visa applications
For some of my previous visa applications, I only have the letter showing the appointment date and GWF reference number (not the unique application reference number) of these applications. Are these sufficient? If my fingerprints were actually taken, can I also use the appointment dates mentioned above as the dates when the fingerprints were taken?

Re: Query - Qualifying Period and Previous Visa Applications.

Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2024 3:03 pm
by contorted_svy
trantrungtri2911 wrote:
Fri Dec 20, 2024 2:19 pm
Hi all,

Hope you are well.

I am currently applying for naturalisation as a British Citizen (AN), and have the following questions:

1) Qualifying period:
I received my ILR decision on 29 December 2023 (nearly a year ago). For the 5-year qualifying period, in 2019, I traveled outside the UK and only returned on 28 December 2019. This means the earliest possible date I could apply for AN is 29 December 2024. However, given the festive season with multiple bank holidays, and considering that I will be extremely busy in January, I am contemplating submitting my application around this time and booking my appointment after Christmas or in the first few days of January. Would this impact my application?

The first day you would be able to apply is the 27 December 2024. I suggest you wait until a suitable date if you know you were away on that day as it could adversely affect your application. Why risk it for just a few days? You can perfectly submit your application during a bank holiday if you will be in the UK and book the appointment accordingly.

2) Previous visa applications
For some of my previous visa applications, I only have the letter showing the appointment date and GWF reference number (not the unique application reference number) of these applications. Are these sufficient? If my fingerprints were actually taken, can I also use the appointment dates mentioned above as the dates when the fingerprints were taken? Provide as much detail as you can recollect. It won't affect your statutory requirements.