Citizenship application - HO wants health insurance evidence

[ernestasvk]

Hi, I have some questions.

Background:

I arrived in the UK 1996 (age 5) to join my father who was granted indefinite leave to remain after claiming asylum in 1995.
I've been in study from primary education up until university and applied for a Lithuanian passport as soon as i was able without parental involvement (aged 18 in 2010).

I submitted an application for naturalisation (an form) 6 months ago. I now received a letter requiring evidence of European health insurance for my 5 year continuous period of exhibiting treaty rights during my studies. Turns out i never had such insurance, however my circumstances are also rather different...

Questions:

Does anyone know if in my situation European health insurance even existed or even applied to me as i came into the country to join my family who were asylum seekers at the time?

If there is no exception for the above, does the entire 18 years i've lived in the UK not count towards this application?

Do i now have to apply for european health insurance in lithuania and wait a further 5 years and apply again?

I hope there is a solution, I've got a feeling my application fees are at risk (they gave me 1 week to respond) and i feel rather cheated that i'm not granted citizenship after such a long time!

[CR001]

Citizenship is based on the 5 years immediately before application, so in your case it is 2010 to 2015, which appears that you were in the UK as an EU citizen passport holder.

What did you do during the last 5 years as an EU citizen? Did you work, study, self sufficient, etc?

[mavdi]

The law says "Public or private healthcare". You were living here, hence as a European you were entitled to NHS. Seek some legal advice, but I know a couple of cases who have argued successfully that NHS counts as insurance in PR cases. Naturalisation might be different.

[ernestasvk]

Annoyingly I had a rough year after graduation where I couldn't find employment in my field of study

sep 2010 - july 2013 - full time study
aug 2013 - dec 2014 - unemployed / denied benefits (fully supported by father)
jan 2015 - present - full time employment

I read that you don't need evidence of health insurance when working since national insurance substitutes for it?

so i guess i need 5 years of consistent full time employment since jan 2015 to become legible for citizenship?

r.i.p £1000?

This system stinks. I've been in full time education here in the UK since the age of 5...

[CR001]

sep 2010 - july 2013 - full time study
aug 2013 - dec 2014 - unemployed / denied benefits (fully supported by father

This is why HO is asking for proof of comprehensive sickness insurance. It is mandatory if studying or self sufficient.

[CR001]

The law says "Public or private healthcare". You were living here, hence as a European you were entitled to NHS. Seek some legal advice, but I know a couple of cases who have argued successfully that NHS counts as insurance in PR cases. Naturalisation might be different.

Yes, the above would be correct for a person exercising treaty rights by working etc. Comprehensive sickness insurance is required if an EU member is studying or self sufficient.

[vinny]

I arrived in the UK 1996 (age 5) to join my father who was granted indefinite leave to remain after claiming asylum in 1995.
I've been in study from primary education up until university and applied for a Lithuanian passport as soon as i was able without parental involvement (aged 18 in 2010).

Were you granted Leave to Enter for an Indefinite Period by an Immigration Officer when you arrived to join your father in 1996? Have you remained in the UK ever since?

Do check your old passports or travel documents.

CSIC would be unnecessary, if you hold Indefinite Leave to Enter/Indefinite Leave to Remain.

[ernestasvk]

Were you granted Leave to Enter for an Indefinite Period by an Immigration Officer when you arrived to join your father in 1996? Have you remained in the UK ever since?

Do check your old passports or travel documents.

CSIC would be unnecessary, if you hold Indefinite Leave to Enter/Indefinite Leave to Remain.

*i couldn't leave the uk until i was able to apply for a lithuanian passport indipendently once i turned 18 (2010). becaus emy mother was out of contact and fathers documents with the HO.

When i came in 1996 Lithuania was not in the EU (we joined in 2004). I also think there was no such thing as EU health insurance card. I would assume upon being granted asylum in 1996 i was also granted health insurance as a native since i was granted asylum hence i think this particular situation is strongly arguable. I'm writing this all into a letter including documents from my father who has been exercising treaty rights for 20+ years but only has evidence for the last 3 consecutive so i assume they will be ignorant to our situation and still reject my application.

The Home Office has ridiculed me and my father despite helping us by providing asylum. My fathers documents are still with HO for over 20+ years, they refuse to return his travel documents. we can;t afford lawyers.#

i would strongly appreciate any last minute advice as i will be sending the letter out tomo morning (deadline 25th).

[vinny]

When was your father granted ILR? Why was your leave not granted in line with his?