Post
by aceace » Thu Jul 16, 2020 12:55 am
Hi both, I've now started the online application (Form AN) and have a question regarding the Residence requirements section and how to answer certain parts of it. Wasn't sure if this should stay on the same thread (to keep continuity of my case) or be a new topic (because it's a separate question to the initial topic...
Background: I meet all residence requirements except the '450 days in last 5 years' one - I have 477 days, which is within the "normally disregarded" limit, and only 51 days in last 12 months. I've been living in the UK since 2006 (finished school, went to uni, worked last 6 years).
This is how I filled out my application form so far:
Q: Do you meet these residence requirements? [residence requirements listed in bullet points]
A: No
Q: Please tell us which of the requirements you do not meet and the reason you do not meet them
A: provided brief explanation that only 450 day requirement not met and briefly outlined why (mainly business travel 3-4 years ago, plus visits to family who live abroad and due to age / health it's difficult for them to visit me in the UK, believe both are valid reasons).
I thought this would be the end of it, but on the next page...
Q: Are there any reasons why you cannot meet the requirements to become a British citizen (for example, you have had too many absences from the UK)?
I have searched this forum and believe this should only be answered "Yes" for people with a complex immigration history. Does my exceedance of the 450 day over 5 yrs (but within the normally disregarded limits) constitute a complex immigration history or not?
When I first read the question I was inclined to put "No", because I meet every other requirement (including the non-absence related ones), however that last bit "for example, you have had too many absences from the UK" threw me off. Should I answer "Yes" and repeat the explanation already provided in answer to the previous question?
Following on from this:
Q: If you do not meet the statutory requirements to become a British citizen, are there any special circumstances why you think the Home Secretary should still grant your application?
Does this include the absences requirements, or is this referring to the other requirements (e.g. good character)? Again I'm not sure how my absence limit would be interpreted here - I don't think there are any "special circumstances", and I would have already provided the explanation of the reasons why absence limit was exceeded. Should this be a "No"?
And a final one for now:
Q: Do you have any other details that you would like to be considered regarding this applicant and their application to be registered as a British Citizen?
I'm assuming this also only applies with applicants with complex applications / circumstances, so ok to put "No"?
Thanks a lot in advance!