Proof of Living in the UK: Career break in qualifying period

[greatdane72]

Hi,

I am applying for British citizenship through the online application and need to provide proof of living in the UK documents to home office.

Question: I have a career break is in the middle of my qualifying period of 5 years, how will this impact my application, what documents could I provide?

My case:

I'm an EU-national (Danish). Been in the UK since 1998.
PR obtained in 2017

Employment history:
- Been working with various employers with no gaps from Aug 1998 - July 2015. Took voluntarity redundancy from my employer.
- Had a career break from Aug 2015-Aug 2016
- Started new employment in Aug 2016. I'm currently working there.

In my career break, I did some short travel otherwise I was physically present in the UK, completed some DIY at my home, did a short certification course (1 week), enrolled in a langauge course, and did job searching. I was not registered with the unemployment office as I was self-sufficient from the redundancy money.

For citizenship application will they, similar to PR, ask for proof of sickness insurance if you claim the status: self-sufficient, job searching, etc?

Home office says they need "proof of living in the UK". As EEA national "could be letters from employers, educational establishments, or other government departments indicating your presence in the United Kingdom"

I have obtained two letters of employment,
- One letter confirming employment from Sept 2006-July 2015
- One letter confirming current employment from Aug 2016 to present day

Leaves the gap from Aug 2015-Aug 2016

What else should I provide to satisfy this requirement, mortgage statement, bank statement, utility bills, short course enrolment, language course, or invitations for interview?

Many thanks in advance for your help

Great Dane

[alterhase58]

What is the total of days you have been away in the five year, and total for the year prior to application? Remember to work back from the likely application date.

Citizenship application comes under UK nationality laws, not EU regulation, so you don't have to prove treaty rights compliance.

For residence the letter you have are fine, plus anything official for when you were not working (council tax, HMRC, pension, DWP, etc).

[greatdane72]

What is the total of days you have been away in the five year, and total for the year prior to application? Remember to work back from the likely application date.

Citizenship application comes under UK nationality laws, not EU regulation, so you don't have to prove treaty rights compliance.

For residence the letter you have are fine, plus anything official for when you were not working (council tax, HMRC, pension, DWP, etc).

Many thanks for your reply alterhase58

I have been away:

- 2014-2019 away total of 175 days - 5 years
- 2013-2019 away total of 197 days - 6 years

So for residence they only want official documents?
I can provide a tax return, new tax code info, council tax, got a personal pension contributions, but no official pension documents.

Kind regards,

Great Dane

[alterhase58]

So for residence they only want official documents?

Yes as far as possible, if you don't have enough maybe private pension, rental or mortgage agreement documents.
Your absence numbers look ok - for the last year before application it shouldn't be more than 90 days.

[greatdane72]

Your absence numbers look ok - for the last year before application it shouldn't be more than 90 days.

I was only away 19 days in the last year before application so should be good

Many thanks for your help

Great Dane