Post
by FrenchAmy » Mon Jan 15, 2024 1:41 pm
Hello everyone!
For context, I am a French citizen who's lived in the UK for almost 14 years and have received my settled status in 2019
I'm in the process of applying and had to wait until a window could open where I would have both under 90 days of absence in the past 12 months and in the UK 5 years prior.
My window is now: from the 8th to the 24th Jan 2024 included. I passed the english test in February 2022 so if I were to apply later, I would have to retake the test.
Now, due to the nature of my job (I am an actor, working mostly in film and TV), I have to spend long periods of time abroad on shoots. In 2021, due to Covid restrictions and the production company policy, I was abroad and couldn't come back to the UK even during breaks for about 5 months (128 days).
The other years, I have also travelled extensively, between 60 to 100 days a year, almost half of which is for work (shoots, auditions, networking, ceremonies, etc).
Also my next window would open from the 5th to 30th March 2024 due to a long work trip in 2019, and I have a possible job abroad from the 4th March 2024 for several months...
This brings me to a total of 463 days (to the best of my knowledge) abroad, counting work. Without work trips, it amounts to 237 days abroad.
Now my two options are:
1. Apply now and hope for the best
---- I have started the application, specified 'business' for each work trip I took, and got to the part where I had to write whether there was anything that could prevent me from getting the citizenship. Should I write here that because of my absences I might not get it but that half of the trips are for work? Or is it automatic and the distinction is made based on good faith?)----
2. Wait until the 5th March and retake the English proficiency test
---- knowing that there is a very likely chance that I will be cast in a project that would shoot abroad, and I might miss the window again or add up to my 90 days of absence (which is what has been happening for the past 2 years).----
I have been waiting for the opportunity to apply for 2 years but now I am freaking out a bit and it feels like nothing will every align!
Should I apply now? That's what my gut is telling me from what I understand of the process but this is not a question of guts but cold hard facts I guess.
Thank you very much in advance for your help!
All the best,
A.