Applying from abroad

[Martingazar]

I am currently abroad and decided to submit my application from my home country as I am visiting for a month. On the online application form I have entered all my absences during the past 5 years however there is no place where I am able to enter the date I left the UK in August for my current absence. Any advice with regards to this would be greatly appreciated.

[CR001]

You should apply when you are back in the uk. You need to declare all absence accurately in form on the date you apply. You can't do this if you are abroad.

[secret.simon]

Applying from abroad can be construed as failing the future intentions requirement and can lead to a refusal (and there is no appeal to a refusal, merely a reconsideration).

If the applicant is abroad or is about to go abroad for a continuous period of more than 6 months, you should normally refuse the application and advise the applicant to re-apply, on their return to the UK, for permanent residence. An exception may be made to the general rule, however, where any of the following apply:

the applicant is undertaking voluntary work such as with the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)

the applicant is undertaking studies, training, or employment abroad which is necessary to pursue a UK based profession, vocation or occupation

the absence forms part of an established pattern, such as in relation to employment at sea and the applicant is primarily based in the UK

[Martingazar]

Thank you so much for your answers. I have two more queries please.

I have three potential references, all doctors in the UK. Two hold British passports, and one is on a spouse visa. I’d prefer to use one British friend and the friend on a spouse visa, since I’ve known him the longest. Should I only use British references, or does it not matter?

For my job details, I’m both a business partner and company director. When I select ‘director,’ I’m asked for extra documents like tax returns and payslips, but I don’t take a salary—only dividends. Also, it only lets me enter one company. If I choose ‘business partner,’ fewer documents are required. Does it matter which option I pick?

Thank you in advance

[contorted_svy]

Thank you so much for your answers. I have two more queries please.

I have three potential references, all doctors in the UK. Two hold British passports, and one is on a spouse visa. I’d prefer to use one British friend and the friend on a spouse visa, since I’ve known him the longest. Should I only use British references, or does it not matter? If the one on a spouse visa works in a recognised profession that is OK. No need for this referee to be British

For my job details, I’m both a business partner and company director. When I select ‘director,’ I’m asked for extra documents like tax returns and payslips, but I don’t take a salary—only dividends. Also, it only lets me enter one company. If I choose ‘business partner,’ fewer documents are required. Does it matter which option I pick? You need to pick one on the application but if you are both a director or fill in a self-assessment you will need to declare that and send your tax return and SA302 from the most recent tax year, even if you only take dividends. Explain in a cover letter that you are both director and business partner. Payslips not needed.

Thank you in advance

[martingazar2]

Thank you for your response. I reviewed my previous tax return submissions and realised that I missed filing for the prior year. My accountant is now preparing both the outstanding return and the current year’s submission. I have not withdrawn any dividends over the past two years, so my reported income on these returns will be quite low. Could you please advise whether the late filing or low declared income might affect the outcome of my application?

[contorted_svy]

Make sure you pay any outstanding debts/penalties to HMRC and declare any fines that you get for having filed late. Income will not affect your application.

[martingazar2]

I know have my SA302 from this year which I will use to submit with my documents. What further documents do I need for my self-employment?

I saw you mentioned annual tax return but don't know which documents that would be because I thought that woul the the SA302.

[martingazar2]

Another question please, I have stamps on my passport for all my entries to the UK. But since the introduction of the e-visa and the expiry of my brp in December 2024 my passport hasn't been stamped o entry. Do I need to provide any further paper evidence that I was in the UK for this period or they would already have that on record?

[lolo2]

No further evidence is required.

Passport stamped pages are enough, even if there are some missing stamps. You manually declare all the absences in the form.

[martingazar2]

Thank you for your reply. With regards to my self employment documents do I need to submit anything else apart from my SA302 form for this year.

[contorted_svy]

I know have my SA302 from this year which I will use to submit with my documents. What further documents do I need for my self-employment?

I saw you mentioned annual tax return but don't know which documents that would be because I thought that woul the the SA302.

You can download your full tax return from HMRC. I believe it is also called a SA100, but I could be wrong. The SA302 is just the calculation, not all the information you provided.

[martingazar2]

Yes I have my SA100 sent by my accountant when they were doing my return submission. Thank you.

[martingazar2]

One more question please. I just received my reference forms from my referees and on one of them he has added an extra letter to my name on back of the photo and on the form itself next to applicant name part. Would it be okay for me to strike it off or would home office question it?

[contorted_svy]

It's irrelevant what they wrote behind the photo, no one will read that. Your name must however be spelled correctly. Get them to fill it in again and send it to you digitally, no need for the physical form.

[martingazar2]

If they fill it in digitally my photo will bit be on it, do I not need to attach my photo to it?

[contorted_svy]

You can add your digital photo to the form and save it as a file. As I said above, it is not necessary to sign the back of the photo anymore.

[martingazar2]

When you say my digital photo can I scan the passport sized photo I have it printed or do I take one with my phone?

[contorted_svy]

You can scan the passport photo you already have and add it to a word/pdf file.

[martingazar2]

Thank you so much for your assistance. For the scan do I do it in colour or black and white?

[contorted_svy]

Black and White should.be fine as there is a maximum file size that you can upload.

[martingazar2]

Hi guys I am back with one more question as I am about to hook my appointment. In the application I submitted I have my mother's birth year wrong on it. What should I do to correct it and would this have any negative impact on my application?

[alterhase58]

Not an issue.

[martingazar2]

So no need to even inform them during my biometrics appointment?

[contorted_svy]

Exactly, no need to worry.