I never left the UK for a work-related reason. It was ALWAYS a personal holiday ON PAID LEAVE. Do I need a letter from my previous employer confirming that I was employed by them during those times and that those absences were related to my employment (it wasn't related to my employment, obviously)?
This is very confusing to me because the requirements are not clear and I know people who applied without this letter. I'm talking about the case specifically when I only took personal holidays/vacation to travel outside the country. I did NOT travel for any work-related purposes, it was only personal vacation.
Quoting government page:
"A letter from the employer detailing the purpose and period of absences in connection with the employment, including periods of annual leave. Where the absence was due to a serious or compelling reason, a personal letter from the applicant which includes full details of the reason for the absences and all supporting documents in relation to those reasons - e.g. medical certificates, birth/death certificates, information about the reasons which led to the absence from the UK."
Also from the online application:
Why on Earth is it phrased like that... you can't tell if they mean only in connection with the employment or any kind of vacation on paid leave.
I also know people personally who claim they applied successfully without this letter (because they only had personal vacation on paid leave).
And if I DON'T need that letter, what should I select for the following question:
PSA: Of course I know about the 180 rule, this question isn't about that.