ILR 10 Years

[QuestWE]

Hi all, first I would like to commend all the experts on here who do an amazing and tireless job on this forum. Before I continue, I would like to suggest (if it’s allowed) to put a donation option (or tip jar) on this forum for the moderators. An option for people who want to give back. Just my humble opinion.
Now onto my question which may sound dumb but please bear with me.
I am applying for the 10 years long residence route which have now met the requirement.
- The question “Do you have any other reasons for wanting to stay in the UK?” has already been answered here and that is “No”.
Just a little confused on some questions which maybe I am over thinking it.

1.) Do you have any family in your country of birth, nationality or any other country where you have lived for more than 5 years?
Wanted to find out if one has family (siblings) say currently in different countries like France and South Africa (both not my country of birth or nationality) and have only visited France for 2 weeks in total and never visited South Africa. Meaning I have never lived there for more than 5 years.

- Question: Do I still have to include these family members (in France & South Africa) on the application?
As a friend who has also applied is saying I should still include them.

2.) “Employment” section on application form (Self-employed)
Also, in the employment section of the application form, they ask “Annual earnings”.
I have a registered business (company on Companies House) which is still under development (as launch delayed) and it’s not yet earning money but have invested about £60K so far (all on Companies House financial accounts). Hopefully that can launch and start earning this year. But my current earnings are from another segment or businesses which are not yet registered but recorded on the self-assessment filed. As initially thought could just report everything under the existing registered company (on Companies House). But my accountant strongly advised to separate them since the products/services are different. Had no choice that’s why had to report them on the self-assessment (self-employed) and still to properly setup another company to accommodate this other side generating revenue/earnings moving forward.

Question:
a.) Should I put a cover letter explaining this?
As thinking Home Office may go and check that registered business (on Companies House) and when they see the reported income on the Corporate Return (financial statements) not matching earnings mentioned on the application form they may think it is incorrect. Whereas those earnings appear and are reported on my self-assessment filing.
b.) Also, I am not sure if by “Annual Earnings” they mean "Gross Annual Sales Revenue" or “Net earnings” after taking out expenses of the business on the self-assessment.
c.) Is this amount an average or for the year just ended? (As it varies for self-employed with sales varying year-on-year)
There seems to be no “Glossary of Terms” specific to this application one can use. As cannot seem to find one even on the guidance.

3.) Travel history (on application form):
• Refused a visa
• Refused entry at the border
• Refused permission to stay or remain
• Etc….
Guess "Refused permission to stay or remain" means anyone applying for any visa route from within the UK who have been refused in the past.
Since there is no “Definition of Terms” section like other routes, guess such terms for other routes apply here as well. Since need to disclose if was ever refused in the past.

4.) Continuous Residency Documents
Read an article from an immigration law firm and they are saying one should include information which proves your residency in the UK such as tenancy agreement or mortgage statement, council tax bills and utility bills.
- However, I am not sure I have all that information as live and have always lived in a shared property. For instance, I do not have utility bills and my name was not even on the bill for some of the 10 Year period since lived in a shared property which wasn't necessary. Also, with the council tax I was not eligible to pay whilst a student and even after that, my landlord included it as part of the rent. So, did not have to separately pay it.

- Question: What’s the best way forward? Explain in a cover letter?
(As all my passports show when first entered and the airport/immigration stamps of all the times travelled out and into the country.)

Thanks for your understanding and know some of my questions may appear dumb so please bear with me. And I am probably over thinking things.
Look forward to hearing from you. Thanks again for the amazing work you do on here.

[zimba]

You are overthinking things.
You do not need any other reason to stay in the UK, so NO is fine
The question regarding family/friends is not important. Provide very minimal info
The Long residence ILR has nothing to do with your salary/employment status. The total annual income as per your lastest SA should suffice
'Refused a visa' means have you ever applied for a visa inside or outside the UK and been refused/rejected
I suggest not reading random articles. There is no need to provide evidence of living in the UK apart from the passport page copies from the last 10 years

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... -residence

[QuestWE]

Many thanks Zimba for taking the time to respond and covering everything.

Yes, agree I am over thinking it. Was confused with the "Refused permission to stay or remain" option. Will select 'Refused a visa' to account for the 1st refusal 3 years ago.

Thanks again and have a fantastic weekend!

[QuestWE]

Hi Zimba,
Was able to get the figures from my accountant.
However, he wasn't sure himself as he said it could mean both.
- Since you mentioned: "total annual income as per your latest SA should suffice"
Here is what he said;
- ...Total annual income could be your net profit (after expenses etc) or it could mean especially for immigration purposes your total sales before expenses – possibly because the officer wants to see what you are contributing... So my advice is to ask for clarification.

Know you mentioned ILR has nothing to do with salary/employment.
But which do you think is most appropriate to use?

Thanks again for the fantastic support in advance.

[zimba]

Total or gross income

[QuestWE]

Many thanks Zimba

[QuestWE]

Got this from my accountant when mentioned will use total revenue/turnover;
"Are you sure ?. Total or gross income can still mean YOUR gross income before tax. Ask if its turnover or net profit?"

But guess whichever use a short note can made in the space provided so they know which was used?

[zimba]

Total or gross income

Please stop with the overthinking. This is not important AT ALL

[QuestWE]

Many thanks.
It was what I was telling my accountant since he prepares my SA and i requested the data from him since could not find the original one when he filed it. But he kept wanting to know exactly.

Thanks again and will now submit everything.