EEA National applying for citizenship

[Derivaz]

Hi Guys

My pal is thinking about applying for citizenship and has a couple of doubts; He's a EEA national and has been in the UK for around 15 years, got the Permanent Resident Card 2 or 3 years ago and was laid off a year ago, but he can't claim benefits, because his savings are above the threshold, so his doubt is:

- If he applies for Citizenship now, he only has to show proof of residence during the last 6 years, it seems, but the documents accepted are P60's, letters of employment and job seeker's allowance proof; he has that for the last 14 years, but not for the last year; how could he prove that he was a resident if utility bills aren't allowed? I don't think bank statements are allowed either; so how could he prove his residence for this year that he was unemployed? (he doesn't have a comprehensive health insurance either)

- Since he has a Permanent Residence Card; he also wonders, what would happen for instance if the UK withdrew from the EEA? would he lose that P.R. status because he obtained it under EEA law? or once you get P.R. it's for life?

Thanks

D.

[Jambo]

- why do you say that utility bills are not accepted?
- I would not worry about something that might never happen. The talks are about withdrawing from the EU not the EEA and I don't see it affecting people living already in the UK.

[Derivaz]

Hi Jambo

Thanks for your reply

- I say that utility bills aren't accepted because when I submitted my BC application via the NCS, the instructions they sent me indicated that you need to prove your immigration status (in my pal's case, it would be the EEA P.R. card) and also show your passport to prove residence in the UK for 6 years, if you can't provide the passport (which is my friend's case, because he doesn't have stamps on the passport to prove his residence); you need to provide alternative evidence and it says "for instance P60's, letters of employment, proof of paying N.I. for self employed people, proof of claiming job seekers' allowance; utility bills are not accepted as alternative evidence"; so it sounds like they don't accept utility bills or bank statements; just government documents, but my friend can't provide any of those for the last year; so how would he prove his residence for the last year?

- I personally think you are right about leaving the EU; I don't think it's happening and if it does happen, the UK will probably stay in the EEA or make an agreement like Switzerland; I think completely breaking away from Europe would be an economic suicide, so it probably won't happen, but one never knows; especially if the UKIP becomes bigger... so we were wondering if the UK completely broke away from Europe and didn't make a Switzerland like agreement with the EEA; what would happen to EEA citizens in the UK with permanent residence? (and to UK citizens in the EEA). Would they lose their P.R. status and would have to apply for ILR?

Regards

D

[Jambo]

- EEA national don't always need to submit additional evidence apart from their (unstamped) passport. It more depends on the NCS staff than the caseworker. I don't see a caseworker rejecting utility bills (but NCS might to cover themselves). It is not the same case as someone who can't provide a passport to cover that time.

- No much point debating on something that is not clear at the moment. ILR and PR are similar status. It doesn't make sense PR holder would need to apply for ILR.

[Derivaz]

OK, so you reckon that my friend would only have to submit:

- His EEA PR card
- Utility bills or bank statements to cover the last 6 years

you reckon the caseworker would approve with like that?

Cheers

D