Immigration Details for Naturalisation

[JackAL]

Hiya, I would like some advice please. I have asked various people on this matter but I keep getting conflicting feedback.

I have BRC (granted to me under EUSS with settled status however this is because my father is an EU National whilst I am not) which will expire in a few days. I have delayed to renew it because I am applying for Naturalisation.

The first advice was: do not get it renewed because I will submit the application before the card expires. It will be valid until then because there is no point and I will not travel outside the UK. Your reference number for the application will be all you need until you get a decision

2nd Advice: do get it renewed because what if the Naturalisation application gets rejected or takes longer than usual. Sixth months is long enough so you will need to renew it. My settled status could be affected if my BRC stays expired for wayy to long.

I completed my application for Naturalisation but I have not submitted it because all this uncertainty.

Has anyone experienced something similar like this? What did you do and what happened?

Can I please get some other opinion or experience if someone is a qualified advisor that would be great too.

[alterhase58]

This is straightforward- did you ask here?

Your status does not expire when the BRC expires! BRC is just proof of status.

You being non-EU is irrelevant you have status under EUSs.

You are ok to apply. Add copy of BRC and your Euss ref number.

I doubt you get an answer here different from the above. It’s a common scenario be asked about here.

[JackAL]

So I should follow the first advice.

I did not ask this anywhere here. I asked a few people I knew who have done their citizenship and were successful.

I was very confused because I had conflicting thoughts about it. So if I need to prove my right to rent and work, I would need a brc, correct? Does it matter if I renew it later on because I am not planning to travel with a brc.

But right to rent might be what I am kinda trying to look at since I am a student and I move places. However, I want to depend on getting a citizenship for that.

[alterhase58]

You will retain your original card and you could even now start to apply for a new BRC. No issue. Won’t have any impact on naturalization which is NOT immigration.

[JackAL]

You will retain your original card and you could even now start to apply for a new BRC. No issue. Won’t have any impact on naturalization which is NOT immigration.

Oh I see. This is certainly helpful and does match with the first person who advised me about the application.

I did not know it was a common matter here. I tried hard to find similar advice here and I couldn't find any that's why I asked.
I've also read a bunch of stuff on the gov.uk website on brc and settled status and it seems that is the case.
(But I cannot clarify properly or professional have a stance on that. It is just all from my understanding from different perspectives and answers)

enjoy the holidays

[alterhase58]

Thank you .. try enjoy and don’t worry too much.

A lot of members here have BRP cards issued under UKILR (similar to BRC) and often have the same issue, even with passports.

Note that the naturalization application is generally quite straightforward and doesn’t necessarily require professional advice or tons of documents.

[JackAL]

Oh I see. I thought since it may take 5+ months to process/get a decision, they will be kinda hard or stingy in a way. I really want to make sure I get the process right so I can avoid unnecessary long delays. It cost a lot to apply so I want it to be worth it.

[alterhase58]

Oh I see. I thought since it may take 5+ months to process/get a decision, they will be kinda hard or stingy in a way. I really want to make sure I get the process right so I can avoid unnecessary long delays. It cost a lot to apply so I want it to be worth it.

Naturalisation is a discretionary application, you only apply if you want it - in the meantime whilst waiting you still have a secure status. They don't work on it for six months, most applicants get approved in between 3 to 6 months, some longer unfortunately. Personally I assume it's about capacity rather than complexity. But then 95% of applicants get approved eventually - failed applications are normally due to a very limited number of reasons, not meeting the statutory requirements. I've been through it myself and just the fee makes one nervous.

[contorted_svy]

Oh I see. I thought since it may take 5+ months to process/get a decision, they will be kinda hard or stingy in a way. I really want to make sure I get the process right so I can avoid unnecessary long delays. It cost a lot to apply so I want it to be worth it.

You can provide details of your current BRC for the citizenship application and once applied get a new BRC, just keep a copy if they make you send in the original. You will keep your current immigration status while they process the citizenship application. I was notified of the approval decision for citizenship in around 4 months. No need to let your BRC expire and be without one while you wait for the citizenship outcome.

[JackAL]

I have been scrolling to find an answer for some questions I have about the referee form for Naturalisation.
1. When they request For passport photo, is it of me, the applicant or the referee?

2. On the back of the photograph, it is required that full name and d.o.b, is it of me, the applicant or the referee?

3. If the answer for the 2 questions above is me the applicant, using same the passport photo is enough? Or do I have to get different ones?

3. Does it have to be sent by mail or can be uploaded online (photographed)?

4. Is there a cut off point for what they would consider an "old" passport photo(like after a month or 2 it has been taken)?

Sometimes, I would read things and think I understand but I just would like to clarify.

[alterhase58]

I have been scrolling to find an answer for some questions I have about the referee form for Naturalisation.
1. When they request For passport photo, is it of me, the applicant or the referee? You-applicant.

2. On the back of the photograph, it is required that full name and d.o.b, is it of me, the applicant or the referee? not required.

3. If the answer for the 2 questions above is me the applicant, using same the passport photo is enough? Or do I have to get different ones? n/a

3. Does it have to be sent by mail or can be uploaded online (photographed)? Noting is mailed in original - upload only.

4. Is there a cut off point for what they would consider an "old" passport photo(like after a month or 2 it has been taken)? That should be fine. They don't use it for anything else but the referee declaration.

Sometimes, I would read things and think I understand but I just would like to clarify.

[JackAL]

Awesome thanks for clarifying

[JackAL]

Hello,

I am currently trying to understand and see if I am supposed to add any extra information in my cover letter in my Naturalisation application.
I have already submitted the application but I realised there was the section on Immigration history I answered no to the two questions:
1. Have you made any previous applications to the Home Office? (Something along the lines of that)
2. Do you need to add any additional information which can be considered for your application for Naturalisation? (Something along the lines of that)

However, I read an article which states that I have to mention any previous applications made to the Home Office which includes settled status/IRL applications, visas and so on.

But I am not even sure of my immigration history since everything was done for me when I was under 18 and usually approved because my dad was an EU national and had his settled status.

I assume that the Home Office will know of everything I have done or gone through in the UK but when reading their instructions I am not even sure. I am mainly afraid that they might check and think there are weird gaps.

So I came to the country in 2018 (as non-EU national), got pre- settled status because of my dad in 2021 but my dad already had settled status (since 2019) and is an EU National so that was weird to us. We ask for it to be changed to settled status and it did in early 2022. I have explained all that in my cover letter. I also got my BRC in early 2019- that is part of my application and I was asked to supply it. I did not write about it in my cover letter.
But I have not included when my dad got his settled status because I did not know before writing the letter.

I am not sure about any visa applications made so I did not write about that. I just don't wanna get refused because they thought something was weird about my application. And most of the applications my dad did were done by a lawyer since he doesn't know much about immigration. So he knows very little about what he was doing cuz he practically left everything in their hands. Which makes me even more anxious.

[alterhase58]

Best not to assume anything when completing the application.

It's up to the applicant to prove/disclose everything - also naturalisation is not immigration, different process under different law and requirements. All questions should be answered unless marked optional. I would also assume that Home Office records are not necessarily complete.

Have you had your biometrics already?

If not, you should summarise your past immigration applications and ask UKVCAS to upload.
If you haven't uploaded the documents yet, upload this extra note yourself.

If yes send your note via email to all these email addresses here:
british-citizenship/nationality-enquire ... l#p2093594

[JackAL]

Best not to assume anything when completing the application.
that is what I thought and I did not want to disclose anything until they asked. But I have read a few articles which stated it is better to tell Home Office about any previous applications. I just gave an account of what I remember in the cover letter. If they need any more information, I am just hoping they would reach out to me. A delayed application is better to me than an outright rejected one.

It's up to the applicant to prove/disclose everything - also naturalisation is not immigration, different process under different law and requirements. All questions should be answered unless marked optional. I would also assume that Home Office records are not necessarily complete.
I do not remember if the immigration questions were optional but I answered no to everything and thought that was okay.

Have you had your biometrics already?
no, but I will today.

If not, you should summarise your past immigration applications and ask UKVCAS to upload.
I did in a cover letter and I was advised not to give a long story so I tried my best to shorten it as possible. I did not include details about my dad or siblings but I did provide details about my IRL/settled status and pre-settled status. I did that in hopes that they would understand that my applications have been successful from the Home Office so there will be little to be worried during the Naturalisation process.

If you haven't uploaded the documents yet, upload this extra note yourself.

If yes send your note via email to all these email addresses here:
british-citizenship/nationality-enquire ... l#p2093594

[JackAL]

So I send the cover letter to the biometrics appointment? I have not printed it and I have the appointment today

[alterhase58]

So I send the cover letter to the biometrics appointment? I have not printed it and I have the appointment today

No - print it and take with you ...
The UKVI email addresses are for if you had your appointment already

[JackAL]

Thank you. And I posted a reply answering your questions above. What do you think depending on my answers?

[alterhase58]

Thank you. And I posted a reply answering your questions above. What do you think depending on my answers?

That all looks fine. The main thing is with any application is to answer all questions, to the best of your knowledge, you sign that that is the case. And every explanation should be concise to the point - from my working life I know people don't have much time for long letters. Anyway, hope it all goes well.

[contorted_svy]

So I send the cover letter to the biometrics appointment? I have not printed it and I have the appointment today

Print it, take it with you and ask to upload - you should be able to ask them to let you upload any further documents that you forgot until 10pm tonight if they can't or won't upload it during the appointment.

[JackAL]

Thank you guys. I just finished my appointment and the lady said that was all so hopefully yeah the application goes well. All done and dusted

Thank for all your help on this forum. Been great help.

Will Be looking forward to a successful decision.