Immigrationboards.com

Good evening,

I've been in the UK for 7 years now and I'd like to apply for the citizenship asap on the basis of leaving in the UK as EEA citizen. As my documentation for 2009 is not that strong, a gentelment from UKVI advised that I should try and apply for the permanent residency first so that in case it's refused I only lose £55 (all my documentation from 2010 onwards is pretty complete).

I asked if the residency could be backdated so that they check 5 years from 2009 (that way I'd have qualify on the basis of residing in the UK for 5 years in 2014 and would have by now done one year as a permanent resident to qualify for the naturalisation). He said it would be fine but after going through the application forms I can't find a mention of this possibility anywhere. I don't really need the permanent residency to start from now as I will have to wait another year. I just need them to confirm that I've excesised the treaty in 2009 so that gives me full 6 years towards the naturalisation.

Does anyone know if that's possible or has gone through the process themselves and can share their experience?

Many thanks

Apply for eea3 using you documents and if they approve it apply for naturalization using the same bundle. Date on permanent residency will be approval date, they don't backdate it for you.

UKBA is not nicer as EU directive for EU nationals and will never tolerate any attempt of backdating. You can play a gamble priced £55 but adopt truth.

Thanks for your replies!

My documents are pretty strong for the last 5 years so I'm not too concerned that it would be rejected. I just want to know that my evidence for 2009 is good enough and don't mind gambling £55 for that purpose but £900 not so much . So if I send documents from Jan 2009 (back 6 years) do you recon they would check those to cover the 5 years period Jan 2009 - Jan 2014 or would they only check the last 5 years from the date of the receipt (Jan 2010-Jan 2015)?

send only documents covering 5 years from 2009

Ahh of course... I kept on getting confused with the naturalisation application where the documents must be for the last 5 years but nowhere on the EEA3 says that they must be to-date.

Will get the file together and fingers crossed.

Thanks so much for your help!