Proof of being in UK 5 years before (on the day)

[uli-pinky]

Hi all
after successfully gaining EEA PR last year, i'm planning on going for naturalisation soon.
One of the pre-requisites is that you have to be in the country on exactly the same day 5 years ago as you application day.

Have you got any experiences how you have proven this as I'm an EEA citizen and therefore no stamps in my passport etc?

I do have my absences (from a previous SAR request) and could show bank statements (showing UK spending on the day) - but would this be enough?

many thanks

[alterhase58]

This is proven by a combination of your list of absences and documentation regarding employment/residency. Remember this is going back from the date on AN application, not PR. There is not a requirement to specifically prove the date. However, the letters or P60 from your employer, or if not employed correspondence from official bodies is an indication.

[secret.simon]

There is not a requirement to specifically prove the date.

There actually is a specific requirement to prove the date - Section 2(a) of Schedule 1 of the British Nationality Act 1981. And that is the only requirement that the Home Office does not have the discretion to disregard.

However, the letters or P60 from your employer, or if not employed correspondence from official bodies

Also letter from your employer listing the dates you took as leave in that specific year (presumably 2012) would be useful. Bank statements showing spending in the UK is also useful, though not definitive.

[alterhase58]

@secret.simon
Thanks for the clarification. Just going by my own experience all I had was employer's letter confirming I was employed by them covering the 10 years (no further details), plus my list of absences (holidays and business - logged by myself). Of course all evidence should be cast-iron to avoid any complications.

[uli-pinky]

thanks both
i have asked my previous employer to show my holidays in 2012 on their headed paper. So alongside their letter stating employment, P60 and my SAR request data i should be fine