Immigrationboards.com

Dear Sir/Madam,

Due to being unable to contact immigration staff on 0300 123 22 53 I wonder if you could help me with regards to ‘permanent residence card’ and a few questions related to this as well as British Naturalisation.

I was told by Oxford Council last summer that I need to apply for ‘residence card’ first before applying for British Naturalisation. Is this true?

Now that I have filled in the application for permanent residence card, it is not very clear what evidence (documents) they want to send along with the application.

I have been living in the UK since 2004. I was employed on many occasions, self-employed, now full time student at university, in the mean time on benefits because of being a single parent.

I wonder if I have to send all documents such as P60, employer’s letter, all wage slips, all bank statements showing receipt of wages (for the whole period of employment) as noted on p. 80, section 18 to each job I have ever done in the UK or just first and last payslip of each employment would be enough?

The same applies to benefits I have been receiving since my son was born. Do I need to send Home Office all letters and bank statements for the whole period or just one would be satisfactory?

I am afraid that if I had to sent proof for all those years, I would end up sending a box instead of an envelope.

Finally, I have heard that people need to wait 1 or 2 years after obtaining residence card in order to apply for British Naturalisation. Is this true?

I would highly appreciate your advice and help.

Best Wishes,

Eva

Assuming you are an EU national, yes, you need a document certifying permanent residency before you can apply for British Citizenship.

Do you have one of these?

As you have been in UK for some years, depending on the specifcs of your timeline (and the strength of your supporting evidence), you may have acquired PR some time in the past.

As you are a student do you have CSI in place (health insurance)? That is necessary if you need to count student years in your qualifying period.

Once you have acquired PR (settled status) you have to wait 12 months before naturalising (if not married to a British citizen).
You also have to possess the DCPR but you don't need to have held the card for1 year, just to have had the status for one year.