British Citizenship checks

[menie13]

Hello
I would like to apply for a naturalisation/British Citizenship. I am French and married to a British Citizen. I worked in UK since 2006.
So if I understand well prior my application for British Citizenship I need
- to apply for a Permanent Residence Card
- pass the Life in the UK test
- pass the B1 exam from a certified center

Regarding the PR, I read I need to send to them the form and all doc? But if the application takes more than 2 months, it's a pain as they will hold my passport....?

I have passed the Life in the UK test in 2013, do you know if that's still valid? It's just a piece of paper mentioning I pass.. so not sure ?

Regarding the B1 test, is that like a formal chat for 15-30 minutes?

Thanks in advance

[zahmed05]

You will need to submit original for PR. It's taking more than 2 months at the moment to get PR.

Life in UK is valid for lifetime. There is no expiry.

In B1 they chat for 10 minutes and you have to prepare a topic on which you can speak for 5 minutes. It should be straight forward.

[menie13]

Thanks for your answer

OMG more than 2 months for a PR, actually it will be a registration certificate but I guess that's the same? Does that mean they keep all documents including passports for more than 2 months?

I was reading the PR form it's like 85 pages, do i need to apply as a family member of a EEA ? They mentioned sponsors etc but I guess I should need only one ( my hubby) ? Does he need to send his passport as proof ? I guess the Marriage certificate should be enough?

thanks

[noajthan]

Thanks for your answer

OMG more than 2 months for a PR, actually it will be a registration certificate but I guess that's the same? Does that mean they keep all documents including passports for more than 2 months?

I was reading the PR form it's like 85 pages, do i need to apply as a family member of a EEA ? They mentioned sponsors etc but I guess I should need only one ( my hubby) ? Does he need to send his passport as proof ? I guess the Marriage certificate should be enough?

thanks

Your British husband is not your sponsor!
(He is not EEA).

You need to have been exercising treaty rights for 5 years continuously as a qualified person.
Absences must have been within limits too.

You should have acquired PR in this way & simply apply for a confirmation in your own right.

You will need solid documentary evidence to back your case;
read the guidance to see what that involves.

You can apply on an earlier (simpler) version of form.

Once application is filed you can request docs back if you need to travel.

[menie13]

Thanks for your answer

OMG more than 2 months for a PR, actually it will be a registration certificate but I guess that's the same? Does that mean they keep all documents including passports for more than 2 months?

I was reading the PR form it's like 85 pages, do i need to apply as a family member of a EEA ? They mentioned sponsors etc but I guess I should need only one ( my hubby) ? Does he need to send his passport as proof ? I guess the Marriage certificate should be enough?

thanks

Your British husband is not your sponsor!
(He is not EEA).

You need to have been exercising treaty rights for 5 years continuously as a qualified person.
Absences must have been within limits too.

You should have acquired PR in this way & simply apply for a confirmation in your own right.

You will need solid documentary evidence to back your case;
read the guidance to see what that involves.

You can apply on an earler (simpler) version of form.

Once application is filed you can request docs back if you need to travel.

That's fine I kept all my payslips, p60 etc so I can just submit them ? Also I never stopped working since in UK so that should be fine too. I haven't left the Uk for more than 10 days etc..
On the website https://www.gov.uk/becoming-a-british-c ... sh-citizen they mentioned :
"you’ve been granted indefinite leave to stay in the UK (this means there’s no specific date that you have to leave) or permanent residence if you’re an EEA national (and you have a permanent residence card or document that shows you have permanent residence)"

And they refer to the form below :
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... _07_15.pdf ? Am I looking at the right one?

[noajthan]

No, its this form:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... orm-eea-pr

Read the guidance to see what evidence is required, you mentioned some of it.

[menie13]

No, its this form:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... orm-eea-pr

Read the guidance to see what evidence is required, you mentioned some of it.

Brilliant thanks, so basically I should only have to complete the below sections right ?

Payment details - EEA(PR)
Your personal details
Section 1 - Applicant’s details
Section 5 - Residence in the UK and previous EEA documentation
Section 16 - Public funds (state benefits)
Section 18 - Documents and evidence
Section 19 - Declarations

[noajthan]

...


Brilliant thanks, so basically I should only have to complete the below sections right ?

Payment details - EEA(PR)
Your personal details
Section 1 - Applicant’s details
Section 5 - Residence in the UK and previous EEA documentation
Section 16 - Public funds (state benefits)
Section 18 - Documents and evidence
Section 19 - Declarations

I think its this as well as the first few pages:

I’ve lived in the UK for a continuous period of five years as an EEA national qualified person, the family member or extended family member of a qualified person, or a combination of these.

Complete sections 5, 9, 16, 17, 18 and 19.

It's a monster form - if you can find an earlier (simpler) version you can use that.
Search links in the forum.
Its not a legal requirement to use latest form.
(You could even go commando & apply by letter).

[menie13]

...


Brilliant thanks, so basically I should only have to complete the below sections right ?

Payment details - EEA(PR)
Your personal details
Section 1 - Applicant’s details
Section 5 - Residence in the UK and previous EEA documentation
Section 16 - Public funds (state benefits)
Section 18 - Documents and evidence
Section 19 - Declarations

I think its this as well as the first few pages:

I’ve lived in the UK for a continuous period of five years as an EEA national qualified person, the family member or extended family member of a qualified person, or a combination of these.

Complete sections 5, 9, 16, 17, 18 and 19.

It's a monster form - if you can find an earlier (simpler) version you can use that.
Search links in the forum.
Its not a legal requirement to use latest form.
(You could even go commando & apply by letter).

Oh yeah version 9 and 17 can't believe i forgot that !! Thanks for pointing that out! Regarding the other form I am sure i saw it on the forum, will look for it

Last question, prior sending them the form with all original doc, do you know if the Home Office will be able to confirm me when they can send me back the original doc (at least the passport and driving licence)?

Thanks again both for your time and help, much appreciated !!!

[noajthan]

Oh yeah version 9 and 17 can't believe i forgot that !! Thanks for pointing that out! Regarding the other form I am sure i saw it on the forum, will look for it

Last question, prior sending them the form with all original doc, do you know if the Home Office will be able to confirm me when they can send me back the original doc (at least the passport and driving licence)?

Thanks again both for your time and help, much appreciated !!!

You can request your documents back after filing the application.
Do so via online form on Gov UK website.

[menie13]

Oh yeah version 9 and 17 can't believe i forgot that !! Thanks for pointing that out! Regarding the other form I am sure i saw it on the forum, will look for it

Last question, prior sending them the form with all original doc, do you know if the Home Office will be able to confirm me when they can send me back the original doc (at least the passport and driving licence)?

Thanks again both for your time and help, much appreciated !!!

You can request your documents back after filing the application.
Do so via online form on Gov UK website.

Got it
https://eforms.homeoffice.gov.uk/outrea ... ments.ofml
https://www.gov.uk/visa-documents-returned

Thanks

[menie13]

Quick question in the section 5 Residence in the UK , they asked for countries visited.. do we need to add them if it was for a trip less than 2 weeks. and is that for all the period i have been living in UK ? Also what's happening if you can't remember the exact dates?

[noajthan]

Quick question in the section 5 Residence in the UK , they asked for countries visited.. do we need to add them if it was for a trip less than 2 weeks. and is that for all the period i have been living in UK ? Also what's happening if you can't remember the exact dates?

In principle all trips.

You need to show continuity of residence.

If you can't recall precise dates just put month/year.

Some members (even EEA nationals who aren't stamped in/out of UK) have reported success with a SAR from UKVI.
Only £10 so worth a punt.

[menie13]

Quick question in the section 5 Residence in the UK , they asked for countries visited.. do we need to add them if it was for a trip less than 2 weeks. and is that for all the period i have been living in UK ? Also what's happening if you can't remember the exact dates?

In principle all trips.

You need to show continuity of residence.

If you can't recall precise dates just put month/year.

Some members (even EEA nationals who aren't stamped in/out of UK) have reported success with a SAR from UKVI.
Only £10 so worth a punt.

I managed to put down "the approximate dates" on all my trips +/-3 days I will say.

I read somewhere on the forum we should send them the originals and the copies of the originals, however I cannot see it mentioned anywhere in EEA(PR) guidance or application form ?

I am planning to send most of my payslips since the last 10 years (some are missing (around 1 year payslips) as they were online payslips and at the time if forgot to download them ).. but I have all P60, P45, employment contracts, pension statements..
I will send them copies of the mortgages contract and statement (last 4 years)
I am planning to send them my marriage certificate and my kids birth certificates, this act a bit like a proof of address? I haven't kept any bill of my last 10 years.. I asked the TV license if they could write me a letter mentioning i have been with them since 2006 and I also asked my bank to write me a letter mentioning the same.. Don't have any bank statement of the last 10 years too.. Will that be enough?

On the PR form there is a section for self-sufficient, I completed it by mentioning my income comes from my monthly salary and asked them to refer to the employment section , is that right ??

Regarding the benefit section , I am right to think Statutory Maternity Pay, childcare vouchers and the 15h free per week for Pre-School are not part of child benefit or child credit benefit ?

Mega supper thanks in advance

[noajthan]

I managed to put down "the approximate dates" on all my trips +/-3 days I will say.

I read somewhere on the forum we should send them the originals and the copies of the originals, however I cannot see it mentioned anywhere in EEA(PR) guidance or application form ?

I am planning to send most of my payslips since the last 10 years (some are missing (around 1 year payslips) as they were online payslips and at the time if forgot to download them ).. but I have all P60, P45, employment contracts, pension statements..
I will send them copies of the mortgages contract and statement (last 4 years)
I am planning to send them my marriage certificate and my kids birth certificates, this act a bit like a proof of address? I haven't kept any bill of my last 10 years.. I asked the TV license if they could write me a letter mentioning i have been with them since 2006 and I also asked my bank to write me a letter mentioning the same.. Don't have any bank statement of the last 10 years too.. Will that be enough?

On the PR form there is a section for self-sufficient, I completed it by mentioning my income comes from my monthly salary and asked them to refer to the employment section , is that right ??

Regarding the benefit section , I am right to think Statutory Maternity Pay, childcare vouchers and the 15h free per week for Pre-School are not part of child benefit or child credit benefit ?

Mega supper thanks in advance

10 years payslips is admirable but may be overkill.
Although I do believe in not giving HO any 'wriggle room'.

You need proof of your id, residency, exercising treaty rights, absences within limits - all as per guidance notes.

If you are a worker you don''t need to prove self-sufficient status - not sure what you mean by that.

Not sure about benefits but that information section is way over what is required by EU law.
if you don't want to go there you can use another version of the form (earlier/simpler).

[menie13]

Hi,

I am French and would like to apply for British citizenship. So couple weeks ago I applied for the resident card as an eea national . Now I was reading what is required for NA application as a person married to a British citizen. .
- lived 3 years in UK : will the eea resident card be enough to pove it?
- life in UK certificate
- B1 certificate
- eea resident card
- mariage certificate
- hubby and my passports
-2 referees

Regarding the referees both have known me since the last 4 years, both are UK citizens and one of them is manager at Accenture Ltd and the other is teacher. Will they be valid referees?

I believe I saw a section asking for a letter from the employer for the last 3 years, but I thought that will have been covered by the eea resident card??

So if I have all the above I should be ready to apply?

I want to keep my french nationality as well as getting the British one, is that automatic to get dual nationality or do I need to request it / or complete another form?
Thanks in advance

[noajthan]

Hi,

I am French and would like to apply for British citizenship. So couple weeks ago I applied for the resident card as an eea national . Now I was reading what is required for NA application as a person married to a British citizen. .
- lived 3 years in UK : will the eea resident card be enough to pove it?
- life in UK certificate
- B1 certificate
- eea resident card
- mariage certificate
- hubby and my passports
-2 referees

Regarding the referees both have known me since the last 4 years, both are UK citizens and one of them is manager at Accenture Ltd and the other is teacher. Will they be valid referees?

I believe I saw a section asking for a letter from the employer for the last 3 years, but I thought that will have been covered by the eea resident card??

So if I have all the above I should be ready to apply?

I want to keep my french nationality as well as getting the British one, is that automatic to get dual nationality or do I need to request it / or complete another form?
Thanks in advance

A Residence Card does not prove residence in UK; after all its only really valid on the day its issued.
Read the AN guidance to see additional proof of residence you need to submit. A letter from employer is one such proof.

Check what B1 certificate you have as proof of English rules changed at end of last year.

Referees who are professionals should be acceptable, (assuming not related to you, nor each other, no unspent convictions & etc).

Keeping your French nationality is a matter for France (if they have any requirements to be met); the UK has a laissez-faire attitude to dual-nationality.

You need proof of physical presence in UK 3 years before date of application.
Absences from UK have to have been within limits (as per the naturalisation rules - again see AN guidance).

You will also require a confirmation of PR card; need to be of sound mind and of good character too, & etc.

[menie13]

Thanks Noajthan for coming back to me.
Sorry I meant PR card instead of resident card. I was asking about the employer letter as for the PR application I already sent all my work contracts, payslips, p45, bank statement etc.so I would have thought it will have been as part of it. Anyway I will indeed send a letter from my previous and current employer.
Regarding the certificate it's b1.1 grade 5, passed it last month, hope that 's the right one.
France is for the moment permitting dual nationality so I guess it will be automatically done.
Can't wait to receive the PR card (I know it's going to take time) so I can go ahead with the naturalisation application and be done with it.
Thanks again

[noajthan]

Thanks Noajthan for coming back to me.
Sorry I meant PR card instead of resident card. I was asking about the employer letter as for the PR application I already sent all my work contracts, payslips, p45, bank statement etc.so I would have thought it will have been as part of it. Anyway I will indeed send a letter from my previous and current employer.
Regarding the certificate it's b1.1 grade 5, passed it last month, hope that 's the right one.
France is for the moment permitting dual nationality so I guess it will be automatically done.
Can't wait to receive the PR card (I know it's going to take time) so I can go ahead with the naturalisation application and be done with it.
Thanks again

A citizenship application is nothing to do with application for confirmation of PR.
Different laws and sets of requirements apply.

A PR card doesn't prove residency for naturalisation;
you will still need the proofs of residency as per AN guidance because, as an EEA national, you are unlikely to have an adequately stamped passport.

Proof of English certificate needs to be a SELT from approved test centre & provider.

[menie13]

Ok ok i was asking as the naturalisation form is very similar to the PR one and is asking for the same things
Anyway, once I receive the PR card (since required) I will hopefully be able to go ahead with the naturalisation application.

Regarding the B1 cert, yes I picked-up the centre from their list which was Trinity College in London.

thanks again