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Hi,

My wife is a French national (I am a British citizen) and first arrived here in 1989 (when she met me - and stayed ). She would like to like to become a British Citizen and has filled the citizenship paper work in, but then found out about the change in rules on the 12th November whereby she needs an official permanent resident status - I.e. fill in form EEA(PR).

She would come under the resident for 5 years section, but the form seems to say we have to provide all the evidence for the 25 year stay, not just the last 5 years she is counting. That is how I read the form - but really??? We have to list every absence from the UK in that period? Provide bank statements and other documents for that period? Surely that can't be right - can it? I would have thought it would be more 'sensible' to demand evidence for the period being claimed for, rather than from date of entry. I think the forms assume applicants will apply just after their 5 years, rather than wait for much longer (like in our case).

Any clues gratefully received!

Thanks

I think you only need to provide evidence of treaty rights, residence and absences for the time you are using to get your PR, but nowadays you apparently still need to tell them on the form what you did in all the other years.
If you don't want to fill in all the extra information, how about applying without the form...Just write them a cover letter explaining which 5 continuous years have earned you PR and then only provide residence and treaty right evidence as well as absence information for this period. This is all which is legally required to obtain PR as far as I am aware. They may make you wait for it a bit out of spite if you don't use their form but they are not allowed to reject an application for a document certifying PR just because you do not use their form. Just an idea

LilyLalilu wrote:provide residence and treaty right evidence as well as absence information for this period. This is all which is legally required to obtain PR as far as I am aware.

Is this correct? On the form it states if you are applying on the basis of being an EEA national exercising treaty rights for 5 years, you have to fill in sections about criminal history, claiming public funds etc.

That's their questions on the form; you can double-check the legal requirements to acquire a permanent right to reside here: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006 ... 515_en.pdf

hi I'm almost in similar situation having resided here for 15 years as EU national. I recently applied to PR. i only submitted sections of the form that are applicable to my case (confirmed by phone that it was ok with HO) I only provided proof for last 5 years and absences for last 5 years. i dont think they expect us to provide details of all the period though they ask for that. but then again dont take my word for it. check again with other ppl in similar situation. Will post an update once i hear from HO.
Good luck!

Hello,

I got my PR certificate today.

In the application form, I only supplied employment details and absences from UK for the last 5 years rather than the whole period I've been in UK.

Good luck with yours!