PR query...

[avgjoe]

Hi all

Thanks to everyone for a very informative site. I want to apply for PR but not sure if I am eligible:

I spent Nov 2004 - Sep 2007 on a work permit. I went back home for family reasons for 18 months. I returned to the UK in Jul 2009 under an EEA family permit (gf and I got married) and have been here since.

My question was.. does my time on a work permit count towards PR, or do I have to spend 5 years first on an EEA family permit before I can even think of applying for PR?

I'm a South African citizen, and it would be useful for me to know when I'd be eligible to become a citizen here. I've had many different opinions, and don't know who to believe!

[bobobo]

Time on WP doesnt count. Your clock starts from the day you got married, even if the Residence card was issued at a later date.

Hi all

Thanks to everyone for a very informative site. I want to apply for PR but not sure if I am eligible:

I spent Nov 2004 - Sep 2007 on a work permit. I went back home for family reasons for 18 months. I returned to the UK in Jul 2009 under an EEA family permit (gf and I got married) and have been here since.

My question was.. does my time on a work permit count towards PR, or do I have to spend 5 years first on an EEA family permit before I can even think of applying for PR?

I'm a South African citizen, and it would be useful for me to know when I'd be eligible to become a citizen here. I've had many different opinions, and don't know who to believe!

[avgjoe]

Thanks for that... so if I ever want to apply for a passport in the UK, it would be:
- 5 years from marriage date to get PR
- 1 year + necessary tests to get a passport

Is that right?

Time on WP doesnt count. Your clock starts from the day you got married, even if the Residence card was issued at a later date.

Hi all

Thanks to everyone for a very informative site. I want to apply for PR but not sure if I am eligible:

I spent Nov 2004 - Sep 2007 on a work permit. I went back home for family reasons for 18 months. I returned to the UK in Jul 2009 under an EEA family permit (gf and I got married) and have been here since.

My question was.. does my time on a work permit count towards PR, or do I have to spend 5 years first on an EEA family permit before I can even think of applying for PR?

I'm a South African citizen, and it would be useful for me to know when I'd be eligible to become a citizen here. I've had many different opinions, and don't know who to believe!

[Jambo]

Thanks for that... so if I ever want to apply for a passport in the UK, it would be:
- 5 years from marriage date to get PR
- 1 year + necessary tests to get a passport

Is that right?

Almost. It would be "- 1 year + necessary tests to apply for a British citizenship". If granted, you can apply for a British passport.

All assuming the EEA national has been exercising treaty rights during the 5 years.