Bad debt and naturalisation

[bemba79]

Hi all,

I was wondering if someone could help me...

I've got bad credit rating due to credit card debt I've fallen behind in due to being made redundant two years ago.

I have had a constant stream of temping work during this time so all my taxes have been paid and I have not claimed any benefits. But the money I've been earning has mainly gone to keeping a roof over my head and the heating on )

I also have no criminal convictions and have a valid CRB police check (issued in April of this year) for when I worked at a school.

I just wanted to know if bad credit rating/debt could affect my application.

It is a lot of money for me to pay to get my British Citizenship and I don't want to 'throw' it away if there is no chance I will get it.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

[parvus1202]

Why are you in the UK? WP? Married to British national? Student? If WP and you are out of work then that is worse than having a bad credit.

[bemba79]

I am here originally on an unmarried partners visa and have ILR.

I have been working constantly in temping jobs since I was made redundant so have managed to keep up with rent and bills. I now have a fixed term contract job that should go permanent in 6 months.

To clarify I have had no more than a week or two where I have been between temping jobs so have not claimed any benefits and have always paid tax and national insurance.

I have been in the UK for 7 years (money problems have restricted me from applying for naturalisation earlier).

[f2k]

it might be an issue if you have county court judgements against you or other civil court orders

[keshgrover]

it might be an issue if you have county court judgements against you or other civil court orders

SGK,
What kind of problem he might have? At the moment UK as whole is struggling with financial problem and many of people have either got repossesed or have some defaults on them.

I think this case needs to be represented by a very good person to show that OP has been good to society by paying taxes and being commintted as he never claimed benefits. Debt problem is not a serious crime. He can pay it in later date.

Please correct me if I am wrong? And f2k please let me know any progress and my brother is in same situation as you are.

[newperson]

You might want to read this document, particularly Section 7.4.1 on page 22.

Police enquiries, or other information, may suggest that an applicant is heavily in debt. This, in itself, should not be grounds for refusal if the loan repayments have been made as agreed or if acceptable efforts are being made to pay off accumulated debts. But where an applicant deliberately and recklessly builds up debts and there is no evidence of a serious intention to pay them off, the application should normally be refused.

[bemba79]

I have contacted my immigration lawyers who helped me gain my Leave to remain and ILR two years later.

I don't have money to 'throw' away if my application will just be rejected - I think the processing fee is something like £800 at the moment (more with my lawyers fees).

I will let you all know what they say.