Long Term Resident (20 years)

[olan99]

Hey,

I have lived in the uk for 21 years (I'm French) and just started the process to obtain British Citizenship.

I came here in September 96 as a student and have been in full time employment since 1998.

I understand that I need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last 5 years, which I have.

However from September 2007 to January 2010 I lived in India.

My questions are:
* Do i mention this on the form, even though it's beyond the 5 years timeline (Even the 6 years one for citizenship) ? (which would be the answer to this question: Have you spent more than 6 months outside the UK in total in any one year since you arrived in the UK? )
* Do i mention my student status, even if it was so long ago? (in response to this question:
Have you been a student or done vocational training since entering the UK?)
* Also the online form doesn't ask me to list the times i have left the UK, have I missed something ?! I thought i had to ?

Thanks in advance

Oli

[secret.simon]

There is no online form for naturalisation. Are you applying for DCPR (document certifying permanent residence), through the online form? Remember that that is under different laws and regulations and has different requirements from naturalisation.

You would have acquired PR status in the UK in 2003 (after five years of working), but would have lost it during your sojourn in India, if you were absent from the UK for two continuous years. So, during your stay in India, did you return to the UK and if so, when?

What have you been doing in the UK since January 2010?

[olan99]

I came back for week holidays a couple of times, but that's it. So would have definitely lost it.

I was actually transferred back from my job in India to London, and have been employed ever since.