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Urgent help with Naturalisation: Work and Biometrics

Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 6:26 pm
by nicensimpletweetie
Good afternoon All,

I have a few questions and I'm hoping that someone can help me to get some answers.

On the form it asks for work history. There are some periods where I was not working. Will this have an impact on my application? Will I need to demonstrate how I was supporting myself during this time? There will be a huge 3 1/2 year gap in HMRC records- July 2011 to October 2014.

Also, from my recollection when I applied for my ILR in 2012, I sent home office my biometrics card that I received from my previous student visa application and it was not returned to me. I was simply given a sticker in my passport and no biometrics card. Was I supposed to do BRP procedure again back then to get a new BRP card? I don't have any way of showing I sent them the card and I don't have a new BRP card. The form however is asking for one. What do I do?

Re: Urgent help with Naturalisation: Work and Biometrics

Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 7:42 pm
by noajthan
nicensimpletweetie wrote:Good afternoon All,

I have a few questions and I'm hoping that someone can help me to get some answers.

On the form it asks for work history. There are some periods where I was not working. Will this have an impact on my application? Will I need to demonstrate how I was supporting myself during this time? There will be a huge 3 1/2 year gap in HMRC records- July 2011 to October 2014.

Also, from my recollection when I applied for my ILR in 2012, I sent home office my biometrics card that I received from my previous student visa application and it was not returned to me. I was simply given a sticker in my passport and no biometrics card. Was I supposed to do BRP procedure again back then to get a new BRP card? I don't have any way of showing I sent them the card and I don't have a new BRP card. The form however is asking for one. What do I do?
Relax.
Employment is not a condition for becoming naturalised & you will not be penalised if not employed.
(My wife was recently naturalised & she's a homemaker and has never worked in paid employment in UK).

There is no requirement to show how you supported yourself at any time, working or not.
Section 2.4, for EAA nationals (only), also asks about work but it is there for a different purpose;
as you have ILR it won't apply to you anyway.

The employment history question is more about HO digging for indicators of a person's good character and, for example, looking for evidence of unauthorised or illegal working; (breaches of visa conditions).

For BRP, questions 6.7 & 6.8 cover the scenario you have described: it's been returned to HO.
There is space there for you to explain about returning it in 2012 when you applied for ILR
- they will have a record of that application anyway;
(they may even have it there, filed away under your name).

Good luck.

Re: Urgent help with Naturalisation: Work and Biometrics

Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 3:09 pm
by nicensimpletweetie
Thanks for your reply.

I just wondered. The thought did cross my mind as to whether they would ask for bank statements and other proof at the times where my work history is blank. Is it possible they will ask fro statements or other proof?

Actually after reading your post I did a bit of digging. It might be useful for anyone reading this to ensure that you check times where visa may have been rejected and work. I just realised I may need to clarify that in my application as I briefly stopped working during such a time. My visa was initally rejected. Straight away my lawyer told me that I needed to stop work which I did.

With regards to the BRP, my concern is, what if they say they haven't got it. I don't have anything to deal with that if they do and at the moment, I cannot find the photocopies I made of it either to fill in 6.7. and 6.8.

I hate this whole immigration business- very stressfull.

Re: Urgent help with Naturalisation: Work and Biometrics

Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 3:20 pm
by noajthan
nicensimpletweetie wrote:Thanks for your reply.

I just wondered. The thought did cross my mind as to whether they would ask for bank statements and other proof at the times where my work history is blank. Is it possible they will ask fro statements or other proof?

Actually after reading your post I did a bit of digging. It might be useful for anyone reading this to ensure that you check times where visa may have been rejected and work. I just realised I may need to clarify that in my application as I briefly stopped working during such a time. My visa was initally rejected. Straight away my lawyer told me that I needed to stop work which I did.

With regards to the BRP, my concern is, what if they say they haven't got it. I don't have anything to deal with that if they do and at the moment, I cannot find the photocopies I made of it either to fill in 6.7. and 6.8.

I hate this whole immigration business- very stressfull.
An EEA national may have to provide such details to support exercising treaty rights but for the employment history question all that is asked is you complete the table.

Agree, you need to be aware of your visa conditions & any restrictions at all times.

Regarding BRP, if you sent it to HO then that is the box to tick & the explanation to give.
If HO have your ILR on file they should have a record of your case & the evidence/documents you provided at the time.

You can't second guess what they think or won't think.
Suggest you just provide your inputs as clearly & accurately as possible.

As well as a photocopy is it possible you have a scan or photo of your BRP on a mobile phone or tablet (etc)?
Do you have the initial letter that came with it?
(After 6 years of dealings with HO I scan & copy everything in duplicate & triplicate all the time).

And yes it's stressful, it doesn't really get better over time.
Good luck.