ABSENCES FROM THE UK QUESTION

[danibhere]

Hi Everyone,

I am an EU citizen and I am planning to get British citizenship this year. However, I lived in the US from Feb 2011 to June 2012 (486 days). My question is: do you think they would accept my application? Please note, I moved to the US to work for the company I work here in the UK (I have been working there for 12 years), I have come back to the UK a couple of times while I was there and I own a flat in London since 2005.

Also, on a different note, I have a First Certificate from 2001, would this be accepted? (I couldn't find anywhere on the site about this).

Thanks in advanced!!

[CR001]

Feb 2011 to June 2012

Did this length of absence not break your continuity as it is more than 6 months?

I have come back to the UK a couple of times while I was there and I own a flat in London since 2005.

What was the length of each visit and absence between each visit?


Have you got permanent residence??

[LilyLalilu]

Feb 2011 to June 2012

Did this length of absence not break your continuity as it is more than 6 months?

Shouldn't have; if they had worked in the UK for 12 yrs before leaving, they would have already held PR (which is only lost if absent from the UK for > 2 years)

[danibhere]

Thanks Lily.

Before I went to the US, I have been in the UK for 7 years, so to confirm... I can apply since I was not absent from the UK for more than 2 years, correct?

[danibhere]

Have you got permanent residence??

What does permanent residence actually mean? I own a place here in the UK, but the flat I currently live in is rented. I have no plans to go back to my country

[LilyLalilu]

Have you read the guidelines about PR? More info here:
http://www.immigrationboards.com/eea-ro ... 14867.html

As an EU citizen, you need PR + 1 year with PR to be able to apply for BC, unless married to a British Citizen, then you don't need the extra year.

If you have been resident in the UK for 7 years, your absences in those years should not exceed 730 days I believe, although there are exceptions and higher absences can be disregarded in certain circumstances - check the booklet AN.