A few questions about naturalization

[marie2538]

Hi,

I was convinced that I was going to be eligible to start applying for naturalization but as I started filling out form AN I got fairly confused and am not so sure anymore. I did try to ring and email Border Agency but with no luck of getting through to anyone nor getting a reply to my email.

I am an A8 national (Estonian) I came to the UK on 04.09.2009, but have no evidence of being here until October 2009 as I started work and applied for my WRS. I stopped working end of December 2009 due to me and my boyfriend moving to a different city and me finding out I was pregnant. I gave birth in September 2010, did not work during my pregnancy and have not gone back to work after the birth of our daughter. I got married to my boyfriend (who is a British citizen) on 17.12.2011. Got registered as self-employed for a few months from end of 2011 till march 2012 and started a distance learning degree this September.

My first question is, am I now eligible to apply for naturalization? Because after reading about A8 nationals I got really confused, as I thought I had permanent residence here automatically but maybe not...

Is it going to be an issue that I've been out of work looking after our daughter and being supported by my husband?

On form AN, point 2.4 asks to show on what basis I've been in the country for the past 6 years. Well, obviously I can't do that as I've only been here for 3.

And the section 5 on the form, which is about referees, I think I'll struggle with finding people who are not family and have known me for more than 3 years here.

I apologize for the long post, and if all of this has been covered here in this forum already.

Thanks

[Jambo]

My first question is, am I now eligible to apply for naturalization? Because after reading about A8 nationals I got really confused, as I thought I had permanent residence here automatically but maybe not...

No.

Is it going to be an issue that I've been out of work looking after our daughter and being supported by my husband?

Probably.

Basically, you first need to hold Permanent Residence status in the UK before applying for naturalisation. EEA nationals obtain that after 5 years of exercising treaty rights. You can exercise treaty rights by working, studying or being self-sufficient (living off savings, partner earning). However, if you are self-sufficient, you are required to hold a private health insurance (not NHS) so you will not become a burden on the state.

So the earliest you can apply is after 5 years of residence. In your case, it might take longer if you don't meet the requirements for PR (such as private health insurance if not working).

See Q1 & Q5 in Citizenship FAQs - Common Questions - Read before posting.

See Q6 in EEA FAQs - Common Questions - Read before posting - Residence Card.