Naturalisation and work criteria

[Rambo]

My wife will hopefully be applying for naturalisation later this year. On the naturalisation form I noticed they ask about your occupation.

What happens if she is a housewife and has not worked in the UK yet?
It asks for a national insurance number too, she doesn't have one. Is that a problem?

Where the form asks about occupation, should she state her long time previous occupation ( ie teacher ) or just that she is a housewife now since living in the UK?

Has anyone else found it impossible to download the new AN form and guide for naturalisation from the IND website?

Thanks

[tekaweni]

Hi Rambo,

Employment is NOT in any way a requirement for naturalisation. Her employment status will not affect her application at all so long as she meets the other requirements.

I stand to be corrected on this next point but - if she's never had a taxable income in the UK I dont think she would need an NI number?

But it would probably be better to state her current occupation ie 'housewife' on the form anyway, as an income-generating occupation might prompt the Home Office to ask why she hasnt an NI number. Even though she has a perfectly good reason it might delay her application while they enquire about it.

Cheers
Kim

[Dawie]

To be on the safe side I would include a written explanation in the Notes section of the application form explaining why your wife does not have a national insurance number.

I would imagine that it's quite unusual for someone to have lived in the UK long enough to qualify for naturalisation and not have a national insurance number so don't be surprised if it delays your application.