Questions about Naturalisation

[ford26]

I'm thinking of applying for British Citizenship through naturalisation and I thought i'd post my story here and see what feedback I get. I want to make sure it's going to be the best way to go as it costs so much money to do it.


I moved to the UK in 2005, when I was 14, on an EEA Family Permit. The permit in my passport expired after 5 years, but I have read that after 5 years I automatically get PR.

One of my questions is, during the 5 year period it says it requires proof of adhering to treaty law i.e. working, paying tax etc. but it didn't say anything about school. Obviously I was at school for 2 years until I was 16 and then I worked fulltime until November of 2011. Does going to school as a child still count as abiding by treaty law?

I only stopped working in November 2011 because my work refused to employ me unless I had up to date paperwork saying I could work. Which leads me to my second question. By law, I am able to live and work in the UK (I've been here 7 years and after 5 you get PR automatically) - is there any way without having to fork out tonnes of cash for a lawer to make my work employ me again?

I'm currently recieving Contribution Based Jobseekers Allowance because no one will let me work without this paperwork.

Any help is much appreciated, thanks so much!

-Dylan

[Jambo]

We have been through this already in your previous post.

You need to prove you have obtained PR. This is obtained automatically if you have lived in the the UK under the EEA regulations. What you did (school, work) is irrelevant. It's what your EEA sponsor (your father) did that matters. If you can't prove you have obtained PR, you application for BC will fail and you will lose the £850 application fee.

Did you re-apply following the EEA4 application refusal?

[ford26]

My father won't send me his passport so I can submit it with the application. I don't know what to do without it to be honest, since the UKBA want it :S

[Jambo]

As advised in the other thread, not providing your father's passport can't be a reason for refusal (I've also cited a related case law). Re-apply. Attach a cover letter explaining why you can't provide your father's passport (as he left the UK after exercising treaty rights for more than 5 years in the UK) and request for a decision to be made in your case (so they won't just return the application back to you). You should be able to obtain PR Confirmation and if refused, obtain one in an appeal.

Once the PR confirmation is obtained, you can apply for BC without the risk of losing the application fee. The PR Confirmation could also be used to prove to employers your eligibility to work.

[ford26]

How do I force them to make a decision?

[Jambo]

Ask for it in the cover letter. You can also threaten them with legal action.

[ford26]

If I need a lawer, is there any way I can get one that doesn't cost anything or as much money? I don't know if there are any serivces out there.