Including American driving records in application; tax filing question

[buglet67]

Hi. I have an old paper ILR from a couple decades ago, and I am applying to be a British citizen. No criminal record here in the UK. As the form wanted to know about speeding tickets worldwide, after a lot of labour, I managed to get my complete driving record from the three states in which I had a license in the 1980s and early 1990s. I needed to check because I just didn’t quite remember. There are two speeding tickets on there where I paid a fine that are 25-30 years old, so I will report these…both under 10 miles an hour over. Should I include the driving records in the application or just list the offenses. Also where do I put these? In the criminality section, if you check yes to a driving offense, it then tells you they want to list speeding tickets if there are 3 or more. Well, there are 2. Do I put this then in a cover letter?

Secondly, I have received some unexpected book royalties and will have to self-assess again this year. Do I include forms from the 23-24 year, or just from 22-23? (I am in credit with the HMRC). Lastly, if I have letters from former employers that indicate my presence in the UK up until last year when I retired, should I include those to prove presence, or are the three past passports with stamps sufficient?

Thank you for your help.

[buglet67]

I mean to say should I include letters from employers indicating I worked for them until I retired up until *this* year. Sheesh.

[alterhase58]

ILR holders are not required to provide employer letters as proof of residency, your passport(s) covering the prior 5 year period (or 3 years if married to a British citizen) will be sufficient.
I don't think decades old driving convictions need to be mentioned and no need for official records to be submitted - they don't count as criminal convictions here in the UK. It would be different if in general you were a serial offender, fines not being paid, court orders disregarded, etc - that would show you in a bad light, scant regard for the rule of law...

[buglet67]

Thank you very much. I am married to a British citizen, so it should be 3 years. My passport goes back nine, and my previous passport with the ILR in it goes back 10 years before that. I always got stamps, never used the e gates.

It was no mean feat to track down a ticket from almost 30 years ago…I guess I can keep the driving records as mementos of my nefarious past.

Do I need to do self assessment now, rather than wait until October when I usually do it? I can get my accountant to do it, that’s not a problem. I’m in the cycle of paying taxes a year ahead anyhow, as I was once a high earner anyhow before retirement. I guess the Home Office can be assured if I pay closer to 2 years ahead now .

Although I know in theory the biometrics should be free, nothing typically is. How much does it cost now, and how much is it to get Sopra Sofia to scan everything, do you know? I’m old and running out of energy. . I suppose my husband and I will have a nice lunch after I’m scanned and printed

[contorted_svy]

It is much better to submit your tax return now. You will need to attach the SA302 and your tax return if you are self-employed. If you are not self-employed you do not need to submit those documents, though for peace of mind I would probably submit your tax assessment before applying anyway.

You can get free biometrics appointments or paid ones. That I remember, paid appointments are around £130. The document scanning and upload service is £56 but please note that UKVCAS staff ar enot immigration experts and won't be equipped to confirm you are providing the right documents.

[buglet67]

Thank you. I just retired from a PAYE job, and at the same time, I also have had to file self assessment because I received a honoraria for editing a journal of about £7000 a year and also make another £1000 or so due to honoraria for giving talks, book royalties, and fees I get for external examination of doctoral students. So, I’m not sure if this is self-employed really. Better to submit it anyhow?

[contorted_svy]

It would result as self-employment, yes.

[buglet67]

ok, thank you. I sent everything to the accountant, she is filing it this morning. I have a July 2024 payment due and a January 2025 one. I am paying the July one now. Do I need to pay the January 2025 one as well? I’m paying ahead and am in credit with the HMRC.

[contorted_svy]

It shouldn't make a difference as far as you are up-to-date with the payment schedule and have nothing overdue. To be safe, when I filed my self assessment before applying for citizenship.

[buglet67]

Cheers. I appreciate your help. We’ll see how it all goes.

[buglet67]

So, I am getting ready to submit the citizenship application today. A couple more questions. I received this morning the email from the homeoffice requesting I make an evisa application, which for me will entail a NTL application as I have a paper ILR. I am going to have to buy a smartphone it seems for the evisa process, which is not great.

Do I do this NTL first, and then apply for citizenship. Or apply for citizenship, and if it doesn’t come through by 31 December, apply for the NTL?

If I make the citizenship application, how long do I have to book a biometrics application? I have booked holiday for the next two weeks in the country, and can make the appointment during holiday, but would prefer not to do so.

Thank you.

[alterhase58]

I think you are referring to the new "eVisa" system - if so this is not relevant for naturalisation.
If you have a different form ILR proof, as opposed to a BRP card, that is proof enough. The new system doesn't affect your ILR status. You can apply now.

[buglet67]

Oh wow, really? Ok, that’s great. Now I have to buy a smartphone (seriously I don’t have one!)

[alterhase58]

Oh wow, really? Ok, that’s great. Now I have to buy a smartphone (seriously I don’t have one!)

You don't need a smartphone for the naturalisation application...

[buglet67]

Oh, I know that I don’t, not for naturalisation, but I will for the evisa, which I will I suppose have to get pending outcome of the naturalisation application. I also will I think have to apply for the BRP with an NTL application, because I have a paper ILR. I don’t have any of those application numbers they gave me, just the generic email in my in box.

Thank you.

[contorted_svy]

Smartphone not needed for naturalisation in any capacity. Questions specific to eVisas should be posted in the general immigration subforum.