BRP for BC Application as European

[mike2195]

Hi there,

I am currently in the process of applying for BC. To give a little bit of context, I have been working+studying in the UK continuously for 7 years. I am an EEU national, and received ILR over a year ago.

I have been working on my BC application. I meet every requirement except for the number of days away from the UK. In the last 12 months, I have been away for 107 days, above the 90 day limit. However, I have been away for 370 days in the last 5 years, so below that limit. Most of my absences in the last year were because of work (around 67 days). I have a few questions:

1. I know that usually being between 90 and 100 days away in the last 12 months is not too much of a problem. Is being away for 107 (i.e. above the 100 mentioned in the guidelines) a complete dealbreaker? Put another way, how big of a deal is it to be over 100 days, considering everything else is in order, and most of the absences are work related?
2. My understanding is that if one is above 100 days in the last 12 months, then it is important to make the case that I am intending to stay in the UK for the foreseeable future. What is the best way of making this case? I could potentially attach my work contract and my house contract, and say that I am thinking of staying here for X, Y and Z reasons, but I do not know if that is enough/believable (anyone could write that they intend to stay for the foreseeable future). I do not own any property, nor am I in a relationship with anyone anywhere, so I am not sure how I could make the case there.
3. Does it make sense to add a cover letter explaining the nature of the absences, and providing evidence that I had to travel (e.g. a letter from my boss stating that I had to travel for work)? Or are these cover letters usually not helpful?
4. Unrelated to the above, do I need to submit scans of every page of my passport with my application, even if my passport is rarely if ever stamped (e.g. as proof of living)? Is this mandatory or just voluntary?

More in general, in terms of supplying documents (e.g. proof of living, anything related to point 2 above, etc) is the best approach to attach as much information/documents as possible (that could of course be considered relevant), or would the caseworker disregard these/be annoyed by these? I am just worried that something provided is not convincing enough and the whole application gets thrown away because of that.

Any insights on these questions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a lot in advance

[alterhase58]

Hi there,

I am currently in the process of applying for BC. To give a little bit of context, I have been working+studying in the UK continuously for 7 years. I am an EEU national, and received ILR over a year ago.

I have been working on my BC application. I meet every requirement except for the number of days away from the UK. In the last 12 months, I have been away for 107 days, above the 90 day limit. However, I have been away for 370 days in the last 5 years, so below that limit. Most of my absences in the last year were because of work (around 67 days). I have a few questions:
Have you disregarded the travel days out and back, i.e. outbound travel and return travel days? They don't count.
1. I know that usually being between 90 and 100 days away in the last 12 months is not too much of a problem. Is being away for 107 (i.e. above the 100 mentioned in the guidelines) a complete dealbreaker? Put another way, how big of a deal is it to be over 100 days, considering everything else is in order, and most of the absences are work related?
In my opinion not a deal breaker as long as everything else is met, but best to provide a covering note giving some background.
2. My understanding is that if one is above 100 days in the last 12 months, then it is important to make the case that I am intending to stay in the UK for the foreseeable future. What is the best way of making this case? I could potentially attach my work contract and my house contract, and say that I am thinking of staying here for X, Y and Z reasons, but I do not know if that is enough/believable (anyone could write that they intend to stay for the foreseeable future). I do not own any property, nor am I in a relationship with anyone anywhere, so I am not sure how I could make the case there.
In my opinion these extra days don't put a question mark on your intentions, just give a bit of narrative. Some documents supporting this may be helpful.
3. Does it make sense to add a cover letter explaining the nature of the absences, and providing evidence that I had to travel (e.g. a letter from my boss stating that I had to travel for work)? Or are these cover letters usually not helpful?
As I suggestest, yes a covering note is a good idea and shows you are pro-active on this aspect. Can't do any harm.
4. Unrelated to the above, do I need to submit scans of every page of my passport with my application, even if my passport is rarely if ever stamped (e.g. as proof of living)? Is this mandatory or just voluntary?
Scan all pages is the normal suggestion. As an EU citizen you need to provide other official documents as proof of living - P60s covering the residency period would be sufficient.
More in general, in terms of supplying documents (e.g. proof of living, anything related to point 2 above, etc) is the best approach to attach as much information/documents as possible (that could of course be considered relevant), or would the caseworker disregard these/be annoyed by these? I am just worried that something provided is not convincing enough and the whole application gets thrown away because of that.
There's a common misconception that for naturalisation applicants should provide tons of documents, just in case. The application is relatively straightforward and a minimum of documents is sufficient - I know of an EU case where just one document was sufficient as proof of residency.
Any insights on these questions would be greatly appreciated!
These are my personal opinions based on my own experience and being on this forum for many years.
Thanks a lot in advance

[mike2195]

Thank you very much for your prompt reply, alterhase58, this is really useful!

[mike2195]

Hello,

I am currently in the process of applying for BC. To give a little bit of context, I have been working+studying in the UK continuously for 7 years. I am an EEU national, and received ILR over a year ago.

This is probably a very silly question, but in the BC application, I am asked "Are you able to provide a biometric residence permit (BRP) card with this application?". I have never had a BRP, so my guess is that the answer to this question should be no? Or does the process of obtaining the ILR count as some sort of BRP? Just want to make sure I don't make a mistake on a technicality.

Relatedly, I have read that one needs to send the BRP back to the HO cut into four pieces. If the answer to the above is no, then is it correct that I wouldn't need to complete this step?

Thank you very much in advance!

[alterhase58]

You don’t need a BRP - select no
EUSS is online only no BRP except for nonEU family members.
If you don’t have a BRP the nothing to return.

[mike2195]

Thanks again, alterhase58! Much appreciated.