Citizenship Online Application Questions

[MoussK]

Hello
I am an EEA citizen, I obtained Settled Status few months ago and I also recently obtained a Permanent Residence card but which back dates the indefinite leave to remain to over a year ago. I would like to apply for Citizenship now using the Residence document and not the Settled status.
I am unsure how to answer a few questions on the online application form.

1-For example : « Have you made a previous UK immigration application ? » does this include the settled status and residence card or not ? Should I say Yes or No ? If I say Yes, it asks me for details in which case I can only put one not both settled status or residence card.

2- Employment details:
« Have you had any other work over the past 10 years or since you arrived in the UK ? »
I have primarily been employed for the past 6 years. Prior to that I had few part time student jobs 9-10 years ago for which I have no record (I think I did not pay tax then). I cannot therefore add to the list my full employment history for the past 10 years. Should I mention that I am unable to provide exact details (if so where) or just ignore it?

3- Trips outside the UK :
a- « When did you first arrive in the UK and where ? » Is this the date I first arrived with the intention to settle (same date as for the residence application)? I first arrived 20 years ago to undertake several study degrees and part time job, I have been living in and out of the UK, but I returned for good 6 years ago (date for residence application). Which of these dates should I put ?

b-Also, I do not recall which airport nor the exact date (just the year and possibly the correct month), I am worried about my application not matching the official immigration record and considered incorrect information. Similarly, for the details on trips outside the UK over the past 5 years (I no longer have evidence to track back the exact dates). How can I fill the form and ensure that my application will not be rejected due to an error on dates ?

c- « Country visited » : during some of my travel abroad, I visited multiple countries, such as a tour of Europe but the online form only allows me to put down one country. Does it matter which one I choose ?

d- The case of Gibraltar : is this considered abroad or not ? I went to Spain on holidays then spent some time in Gibraltar from which I returned to the UK directly. From what I remember when reading about the citizenship application requirements few years ago, time in Gibraltar did not count towards abences, but I do not see this anymore in the Guidance. Do I need count it and consider the whole trip as Spain + Gibraltar, with the date of return to the UK when I flew from Gibraltar ?

4-Absences :
The main issue with my application is that I do not satisfy the criteria of absences of not spending more than 450days during the past 5 years as I have a total of 520 days (I am under the 90 days limit for the past 12 months). The reasons for my travels mostly being for holidays (only partly for work but that does not justify all of the excess).
-Do I need to provide evidence of work trip, and if so how : would a letter from my employer be enough, or is it not necessary ?
-In the Guide it mentions that absences up to 730 days are disregarded if I meet all other requirements (which I think I do, I hope) and if I have established my home. Do I need to prove the latter, and how ? I do not have any family in the UK but I have bought a property in which I live.
-It also mentions that I am expected to have lived in the UK for the last 7 years if absent up to 730days. I only have evidence for 6 years. But I have lived in the UK prior to that. How will I need to prove this ?

I am unclear how to answer the following questions, and what is the difference between them :

a-Residence requirements :
« Do you meet Residence requirements? » I guess I should answer No ? if I answer no, it then asks me to explain the reasons and whether I am part of or married to the Crown Service, which I am not.

b-Special circumstances :
Do I then need to repeat the same as above in order to answer the next questions : « Are there any reasons why you cannot meet the requirements (absences) ? » I guess I need to answer Yes.
« Are there any circumstances why you think the Home Secretary should still grant your application ? » Do I simply repeat the same reasons I answered before ?
Are these valid justifications I can give: just holidays, work (only short field trip), and visiting family (my mother being my only relative - she was sick and lives abroad). I am concerned about this reason disqualifying the above escuse of having made my life (family, home, work) in the UK, should I mention this or not ?

c-Immigration details :
« Do you have any other details that you would like to be considered ? » What could I say here ?

e- I am also wondering whether there is a possibility to add a cover letter to send with the other documents, and if so, are there any examples of cover letters asking for discretion on absences (and employment history)?


5- Documents :
- It asks for my passport, my UK permanent residence card and also evidence of freedom from immigration time restrictions. How do I prove the latter, is it the letter which I recieved with the Residence card, stating the date (12 months ago) from which I am granted indefinite leave to remain ?

- It also asks to provide proof of living in the UK for the past 5 years such as letters from employer or other government departments indicating presence in the UK (bank statements and household bills are not valid). What other document can I use, will a council tax bill be acceptable or a P60 and P45? Do I need one document for each year ?


Thank you

Mouss

[MoussK]

Hi again,

I would appreciate if anyone could share advice on how to apply for discretion on absences (what to write on the online form and cover letter).

I would like to add the following two questions to my previous message:

- I have traveled to the Republic of Ireland, flying from the UK (where I do not recall a border control) and landing in Dublin airport (where there was a passport check), then I went to Northern Ireland by train (I do not have anymore trace of this trip and so do not know the exact date I returned to the UK), after that I flew back to England when again there was no immigration check. I only have my flight tickets as evidence of date of travel- but these dates would not match the immigration record. How does Home Office know when I returned to the UK since I traveled back by train and there was no border control- what I mean is will I risk for my application to be rejected if I put the incorrect return date as I no longer have the train ticket or do they rely on flight records?

- I just noticed that on my credit check such as Experian, not all of my addresses are correct, this is because as I was searching to buy a property which lasted a couple of years longer than expected. During that time I did not change my temporary address details at my bank, which had a friend's address instead where I never lived. Will this cause a problem for my application? Should I mention this somehow? Should I provide evidence for residence of the past 5 years to prove that I provided the correct address although it differs from credit check record?

Thank you in advance for taking the time to respond to my query

[MoussK]

Hello

I'd appreciate if someone could help advising mainly on how to answer my questions 3 and 4 mentioned in my first post above:


(4) I am confused about the following questions on the online form which seem repetitive (I have excess absence totally 520 days in the past 5 years but fulfill all other requirements) :

a-Residence requirements :
-« Do you meet Residence requirements? » Do I answer Yes by discretion or No because of excess absences? if I answer no, it then asks me to explain the reasons. What should I say as valid justification (are the three reasons mentioned for my travel sufficient: partially work, mainly holidays and sick relative)? I am worried about expressing having a family member abroad, and the other reasons (work and misunderstanding on Gibraltar) are not valid reasons.

b-Special circumstances :
-« Are there any reasons why you cannot meet the requirements (absences) ? » Do I answer Yes ? If so, what further details should I provide here or repeat the above?
-« Are there any circumstances why you think the Home Secretary should still grant your application ? » Should I answer Yes or No here?
-« Confirm how the failed requirements and special circumstances to be considered » : Do I simply repeat again the same reasons I answered before ?

c-Immigration details/other information :
-« Do you have any other details that you would like to be considered ? » What should I mention here ? Same as the above again, or use the limited space (500 words) for other issues, or just say "see cover letter"?



(3) In addition, I'm also unsure which date of arrival I should put:
-first arrived 20 years ago for multiple studies and part time jobs
-left 8 years ago after graduating
-returned 7 years ago with intention to settle (remained unemployed for 1 year searching for work)
-returned 6 years ago (after short holiday abroad) to start employment (date acquired PR)



Thank you greatly