PR application (post 18/3/16 form) but no WRS

[opi23]

I wonder if anyone would kindly help me with this issue:

I started working in the NHS in 2006. I was never asked to register with WRS (4 different NHS Trusts - 4 different HR departments - no one asked).
I spoke to a WRS advisor in late 2011 (WRS was abolished on 30/4/11) and was told I could apply for UK citizenship from May 2017. Now that the rules have changed I need to get my PR card first.
'UK Visas and Immigration' EEA(PR) application form (from 18/3/2016) asks in Section 5 when I first entered in the UK. Then section 9B asks about WRS registration and (9.18) if I worked without permission during accession period (EU8 nationals: 1/5/04-30/4/11). What shall I write in this section? Is is not going to come across as naive and daft to say: 'no one asked me to register'. Does it make sense to send my PR applicaiton off at all? Thanks

[noajthan]

I wonder if anyone would kindly help me with this issue:

I started working in the NHS in 2006. I was never asked to register with WRS (4 different NHS Trusts - 4 different HR departments - no one asked).
I spoke to a WRS advisor in late 2011 (WRS was abolished on 30/4/11) and was told I could apply for UK citizenship from May 2017. Now that the rules have changed I need to get my PR card first.
'UK Visas and Immigration' EEA(PR) application form (from 18/3/2016) asks in Section 5 when I first entered in the UK. Then section 9B asks about WRS registration and (9.18) if I worked without permission during accession period (EU8 nationals: 1/5/04-30/4/11). What shall I write in this section? Is is not going to come across as naive and daft to say: 'no one asked me to register'. Does it make sense to send my PR applicaiton off at all? Thanks

It's not a silly answer if that's how it was.

If you have ambitions for privilege of citizenship you will now need a PR card to prove you have acquired PR.
So that's one reason to go for it.

If you have done something drastic such as marry a BC there is no need to hold PR for one year before applying to naturalise. You could apply after May this year (assuming all other requirements can be or have been met).

Otherwise, you will have to hold PR for 12 months first.
That means shoot for PR card in May this year and seek to naturalise when you meet all citizenship requirements in (or after) May 2017.

P.S. It's not compulsory to use the latest (monster) PR form.
You can use an earlier (simpler) version. Or 'go commando' and apply by letter (although maybe that's a little too hardcore).

For example see this little 12-page version of form:
https://portal.mpsv.cz/eures/podminky/b ... /eea31.pdf
(For non-EEA, just include the biometrics page from the current form. Pay the current fee, not the fee from 2010).

[opi23]

Thanks
As long as writing the truth doesn't get me in trouble I guess I have no other option but to write: I was not made of aware of the requirement (i.e. WRS registration)

[noajthan]

Thanks
As long as writing the truth doesn't get me in trouble I guess I have no other option but to write: I was not made of aware of the requirement (i.e. WRS registration)

Have you looked at the form in the link I provided for you?

Not writing the truth will get you in worse trouble - and with likely future consequences
Read the Declaration on the form you are signing too.

[ohara]

WRS was a statistics gathering exercise by the Home Office, you didn't break any immigration laws by not registering, you are certainly not the only person who has not done so, and nobody has ever been prosecuted as a result so don't worry. They won't hold it against you but any period of working while WRS was active and you were not registered will not count towards PR clock.

Lying or withholding any information on applications to the Home Office is a seriously bad idea and can very easily earn you a 10 year ban from the privilege of citizenship.

Use the short version of the EEA3 form linked above to make things easier (they cannot refuse an application just for being made on an old form). Ensure you print off the payment slip from the EEA(PR) form and include that though - you will still need to pay the fee. Biometrics section is not required for EEA citizens.

[opi23]

Thank you. Understandably I would never lie on my application - pointless&criminal
(Playing devil's advocate here) why would they accept any of the old forms if the new one is already on their website and it is quite clear is should be used for all applications after 18/3? Thanks

[ohara]

They want you to use the current form as it is something of a data gathering exercise for them.

If you look at the EEA regulations, you don't actually have to provide a lot of what the form asks for (for example the entire public funds section).

It is not even necessary to apply using a form. The Home Office internal caseworker guidance states:

An EEA(PR) form can be used to submit an application. However, you must not refuse or
reject an application because it is not on the right form. A letter requesting a document
certifying permanent residence or permanent residence card, or an application made on one
of the previous forms (EEA3 or EEA4), is acceptable as long as:
 the correct fee is submitted with the application
 the applicant gives their biometric information if they are a non-EEA national applying
on or after 6 April 2015

Thus they cannot refuse an application that is made on an old form, or even a free-form letter, as long as the correct fee and evidence is provided. The 2010 version of the EEA3 form linked earlier is the simplest version we can find (12 pages vs 85!) and it only asks for the information which is actually required, unlike the current EEA(PR) form which asks for far more than you need to give.

[opi23]

Thank you. I really appreciate your advice.