Applying for BC

[Punjab]

Dear All,
Just a question about BC. I have PR from Feb 2012 till 2022 but I became eligible for PR in dec 2012.

Could you please tell me when can I to apply for BC in Dec 2013 or in Feb 2013?

Many Thanks

[Jambo]

You can apply in December. In this case, you will need to provide all the evidence to prove that (some evidence used for the EEA4 application). If you apply 1 year after the PR sticker date, there is no need to prove it again. The sticker is enough.

[Greenie]

also note you don't have PR from 2012-2022 - PR is 'permanent' it is just the PR sticker/card etc that expires. It doesn't mean that your PR 'expires' in 2022.

[Punjab]

Dear All,
Many thanks for your replies. Guys I couldn’t find a page for documents or information which Jambo mentioned. If possible could you send me the link please containing all supporting documents need to send to HO. Many Thanks again

[Jambo]

The last page of the application form - Form AN - lists the supporting documents required.

Section 4 includes the documents needed if you don't have PR confirmation for more than 12 months when applying.

[Punjab]

Many Thanks Jambo for your help

[spike_UK]

Can you explain how, u got PR on Feb 2012 but u eligible for BC on Dec?!!
I hope that u right anyway just wanted to know how it work, thanks

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

also note you don't have PR from 2012-2022 - PR is 'permanent' it is just the PR sticker/card etc that expires. It doesn't mean that your PR 'expires' in 2022.

Just to clarify, PR status can be lost if absent from the UK for more than two consecutive years. Other than that of course, it does not expire.

[Punjab]

Can you explain how, u got PR on Feb 2012 but u eligible for BC on Dec?!!
I hope that u right anyway just wanted to know how it work, thanks

Hi spike_UK,
I was married in December 2006 so it make 5 years in December 2011. Hence we applied for EEA3/4. Now what fellow members said that I can apply for my BC in December 2012 after being 6 yrs in the uk or with my spouse but I must provide all the evidence which I provided when I applied for my eea4. So I will still depend on my eea partner in December 2012 for BC application in a way. But as my PR was issued in February 2012 then on February 2013 I can apply withoutg shouing my wife;s paper of 5 years history etc. but I will have to show my 5 years history.

[afsheenazeem]

hi Punjab, my situation is pretty much same also.i got married in aug 2006 but got my RC in aug 2007.now im due for PR this year and according to rules for naturalization of one year after PR, i wud only be able to apply for naturalization in 2013, a year after i get PR but if i count 6 years from the day i got married, i can apply this year. is there anyone who can confirm that????? and if thats the case, is there any additional documents that you would have to attach when applying for naturalization based on your six years??

[Jambo]

hi Punjab, my situation is pretty much same also.i got married in aug 2006 but got my RC in aug 2007.now im due for PR this year and according to rules for naturalization of one year after PR, i wud only be able to apply for naturalization in 2013, a year after i get PR but if i count 6 years from the day i got married, i can apply this year. is there anyone who can confirm that????? and if thats the case, is there any additional documents that you would have to attach when applying for naturalization based on your six years??

Did you get married in the UK? Or did you enter the UK as a married person shortly after? Just being married is not enough. You need to have lived in the UK for the time to be counted.

See more PR & BC.

If you read the naturalisation application form (form AN) there is a dedicated section for such cases (2.4-2.6). The last page of the application form lists the required evidence.

BTW - any special reason you applied via a solicitor? If your case is not straightforward, I would be careful risking the £800 application fee and apply directly for BC unless the evidence provided for the EEA3/4 application matches exactly the same period required for naturalisation.

[afsheenazeem]

Hi Jambo,
I gt married in uk. Yep ur right, couldve done it myself but i jusr didnt wanna take the rist as my RC application got returned couple of time due to various silly mistakes i made so just wanted to be on the safe side. Are u saying even after having acquired the PR, one has to submit the same documents for naruralization??

[Jambo]

Are u saying even after having acquired the PR, one has to submit the same documents for naruralization??

Have you clicked on the link I provided? It is explained there.

If you don't want to wait 1 year after the PR sticker date and apply directly after 6 years, then - yes. You will need to provide similar evidence to support your claim for PR.

[afsheenazeem]

hi Jambo,

yes i looked at the link provided and understand what you mean but whats the point of having a PR if i have to go through the pain all over again incase I dont want to wait for one year after PR and apply after 6 years from the day I got married for naturalization application? now fair enough its a requirement as you might say but wouldn't just the proof i.e. marriage certificate do instead of the proof of my partners exercising treaty rights in 5 years which is going to include the whole pile of pay slips, bank statements and God knows what not? please enlighten!!

[Jambo]

What's the point of having a PR confirmation?

Well, PR status is obtained automatically. Applying for confirmation using EEA3/4 is optional. Why did you apply for it?


People have their own reasons. I can think of several:

1) If your RC expires, your employer might want to see a proof of your entitlement to work. Having a PR confirmation helps.
2) Not everyone wants to apply for BC.
3) PR confirmation is free and it helps flushing out any issues without risking the £800 application fee for naturalisation.

The requirement for BC is not 6 years from marriage. One of the requirements is 12 months after PR. In order to prove the date the PR was obtained, you need to show the EEA national activities for 5 years.


You don't need to send a whole pile of papers to obtain PR confirmation. People tend to send everything they got "just in case" but as a matter of fact - a reasonable application should not need more than 5-10 pages of evidence and could weight less than 200gr (including the passports).

[afsheenazeem]

you have to excuse my ignorance but isn't that correct that if you have been married to an EEA national (plus fulfilling all other requirements) for 5 years, you acquire a PR status? and a year after that you can apply for naturalization so technically speaking 6 years from marriage, you qualify to apply for BC?!?!

please correct me if im wrong.

[Jambo]

you have to excuse my ignorance but isn't that correct that if you have been married to an EEA national (plus fulfilling all other requirements) for 5 years, you acquire a PR status? and a year after that you can apply for naturalization so technically speaking 6 years from marriage, you qualify to apply for BC?!?!

please correct me if im wrong.

You are correct in cases of married couples who married in the UK but strictly speaking the requirement is not 6 years of marriage but PR + 1 year. So this is also applicable to married couples who married abroad before moving to the UK, unmarried partners or dependents under EEA regulations.

In your previous post you said

wouldn't just the proof i.e. marriage certificate do instead of the proof of my partners exercising treaty rights in 5 years

and the answer is marriage certificate is not enough as this alone doesn't give you PR.