applying when self sufficient

[modesteparris]

Hi,

I'm an EEA citizen and applied for PR last year, based on a period of time about 10 years ago (I've been in the UK a long time). To my great relief, this was successful. Now I want to apply for citizenship, but I'm worried about a few things. Would any kind forum member be able to assist with the questions below?

1. I am currently self sufficient, and I have been filing a self assessment every year for the past 5 years. (I will include these in my application, of course.) This means that I have no P60, no place of employment that I can get a letter from, and very few ways that I can see to prove residency requirements to the satisfaction of the Home Office, since apparently they don't accept bank statements. I have some NHS appointment letters, all household bills, all council tax/ ground rent bills (all originals, not print outs), and that's it… Can anybody advise whether that will suffice, as far as they know?

2. I have been doing voluntary work for the past 5 years. For residency purposes, would it be helpful to get a letter from the organisations I worked for, if I can (there are 2 of them, one I worked for for about 4 years, and the other I'm still working for) saying that I have been working for them, stating when I started, etc?

3. HOW ON EARTH do I prove that I was present in the UK 5 years ago? I was, but since as an EEA national, my passport doesn't get stamped, how do I prove it? Do they accept bank statements for that purpose? If not, and in the absence of a P60, is it better not to apply? (I'm not so rich I can afford to throw the fee away, if they're going to turn me down for that reason!)

4. Maybe this should have been question 1 - is it actually possible to apply for citizenship if one is self sufficient???? The more I read the guidance, the more convinced I become that you need to be either an employee, a student, or on benefits to be able to apply!

5. For the past 5 years, my income has been below the personal allowance treshold, which means that I was not in the position to pay tax or national insurance - will that be counted against me?


If anybody finds the time to answer - thank you so much in advance, you have my undying gratitude!

Thank you.

[alterhase58]

Hi,

I'm an EEA citizen and applied for PR last year, based on a period of time about 10 years ago (I've been in the UK a long time). To my great relief, this was successful. Now I want to apply for citizenship, but I'm worried about a few things. Would any kind forum member be able to assist with the questions below?

1. I am currently self sufficient, and I have been filing a self assessment every year for the past 5 years. (I will include these in my application, of course.) This means that I have no P60, no place of employment that I can get a letter from, and very few ways that I can see to prove residency requirements to the satisfaction of the Home Office, since apparently they don't accept bank statements. I have some NHS appointment letters, all household bills, all council tax/ ground rent bills (all originals, not print outs), and that's it… Can anybody advise whether that will suffice, as far as they know? Your tax returns should be sufficient.

2. I have been doing voluntary work for the past 5 years. For residency purposes, would it be helpful to get a letter from the organisations I worked for, if I can (there are 2 of them, one I worked for for about 4 years, and the other I'm still working for) saying that I have been working for them, stating when I started, etc? Economic activity is not a requirement so I believe this is not necessary as you should submit your tax returns, per #1.

3. HOW ON EARTH do I prove that I was present in the UK 5 years ago? I was, but since as an EEA national, my passport doesn't get stamped, how do I prove it? Do they accept bank statements for that purpose? If not, and in the absence of a P60, is it better not to apply? (I'm not so rich I can afford to throw the fee away, if they're going to turn me down for that reason!) You just need to ensure you were in the country on that date, and it ties in with your documentation. You don't need to supply specific proof.

4. Maybe this should have been question 1 - is it actually possible to apply for citizenship if one is self sufficient???? The more I read the guidance, the more convinced I become that you need to be either an employee, a student, or on benefits to be able to apply!As per #2 you don't need to be economically active, as long as you can satisfy the requirements.

5. For the past 5 years, my income has been below the personal allowance treshold, which means that I was not in the position to pay tax or national insurance - will that be counted against me? not relevant - per my comment #2 #4


If anybody finds the time to answer - thank you so much in advance, you have my undying gratitude! You are welcome - feel free to ask further questions in your thread.