Naturalisation Application Questions (EU citizen, settled status)

[maggiebeaufort]

Hi All,

I would really appreciate it if you were able to assist me with some questions re my naturalisation application. I'm an EU citizen and I received my settled status in October 2019.

I'm planning to apply for citizenship in May 2022.

My timeline:

5 years prior to application: May 2017 - May 2022

September 2014 - June 2018: student (will need to provide proof of CSI between May 2017 - June 2018)
June 2018 - October 2019: worker
October 2019 - present: worker with settled status

My questions:

1) Between May 2017 - August 2017, I was finishing my year abroad in another EU country, which started in 2016, and travelling in Europe. I wasn't paying for any accommodation in the UK during my year abroad, however, my flatmates were still living in the flat I moved out of before my year abroad, and it was down on my bank statements, electoral register & some payslips as I still did some work in the UK during my year abroad. I also stayed there for a couple of days that year. Q: Should I provide my addresses abroad on my application form or am I OK to just leave my previous UK address?

2) The only period when I was a student (and therefore needed CSI) in the period of 5 years before application is May 2017 - June 2018. I have two EHIC cards from my home country pretty much covering the whole period + a letter from my country's health services confirming cover between 2014 - 2018.

However, on the form it also says 'Applicants relying on settled status to apply for citizenship may be asked to show that they were exercising treaty rights, or that they were family members of those who were exercising treaty rights, in the period leading up to their being granted settled status' - will they look back at the whole 5-year period before my settled status (from 2014), and if so, do I need to worry about providing proof of CSI all the way back to 2014? Unfortunately, I'm missing most of the EHIC cards between 2014 - 2017, but I still have the letter confirming cover between 2014 - 2018, which should hopefully be enough, but I'm not sure if I need to worry about the period between 2014 - 2017 at all?

3) Is it common for people to include cover letters with their applications? I think mine is fairly straightforward, but I'm not sure if I should type something up.

4) Should I submit all tickets for flights when I left and entered the UK? I'm an EU citizen so my passport doesn't get stamped.

5) What would be the best proof of being in the UK exactly 5 years prior to application? P45? Bank statement? Flight tickets?

6) When did you first arrive in the UK? I visited the UK two times before I moved here in 2014 and settled. Should I put the latter as my first arrived in the UK date?

7) Would you advise submitting all payslips to proof I was a worker between June 2018 - October 2019 or are P60s enough? I have a lot of payslips as I get paid weekly, but want to make sure they don't have any doubt I was working full-time.

8) In terms of providing my employers' details, should I use the employer's registered address or where their actual office is?

9) For the 5 years basis of stay, should I put down the whole university period 2014-2018 or just from May 2017?

Thank you so much in advance!

[maggiebeaufort]

Would anyone be able to assist with the above? Thank you!

[qntnuk]

Hi,

I also applied for BC with Settled Status so can help on some of your questions. I was working the whole time in the UK so I won't comment on the rest as I just have no idea.

3 - You can if you think there's value to it, like to explain something in more detail. But it's not required or expected if you don't have anything to add/detail/explain.

4 - No need, just the entry/exit dates are needed in the form. No need to submit flight tickets.

5 - Personally I added 60 payslips and P60s and P45s.

6 - That would be the date you moved in the UK, not previous visits as tourist.

7 - I did, but only had one per month.

8 - I don't think it really matters to be honest, but I did registered address.

From your timeline I am not sure about your 5 year residence in the UK prior to the application as you say you lived abroad. For me, putting an address abroad would be a big red flag for HO - but again, not an expert. Also remember you need to have been in the UK on the exact day 5 years before you apply.

Hope this helps and good luck!

[maggiebeaufort]

Thank you, qntnuk, I appreciate your reply!

Yes, in number 5, I meant what sort of proof I need to provide of being in the UK exactly 5 years before my application (which I was). I've now received a confirmation from the airline I used that I boarded a flight to the UK a few days before the application (and also one I left the UK on for the first time in the past 5 years). I also have a bank statement showing I used my card in the UK on the day I'll be applying 5 years earlier, so hopefully that will be enough.

My qualifying period will be May 2017 - May 2022. Between May 2017 - August 2017, I wasn't renting a place in the UK as I was finishing my year abroad (compulsory part of my UK degree) and travelling during the summer, but I was still on electoral register here, and I had been studying in the UK since 2014, and my total absences in the 5 years before application will be under 200 days.

If anyone knows answers to any of the remaining questions, that would be really appreciated