Worker Registration Scheme A8 countries. Lost document help.

Rilot

Rilot

Rilot

Don
Joined
18 Oct 2002
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Location
Wargrave, UK
This is a long shot but figured I'd ask if anyone has any experience with this.

The Mrs is currently going though the application process to become a British citizen (just in case EU nationals have issues after Brexit) and as part of this she first needs to apply for a permanent residence document. All well and good but we've discovered that when she first became resident in 2007 she was required to have a WRS document during the accession period of Poland from 2004 to 2011. We have copies of the application forms she filled in and she is adamant that they were submitted through her employer at the time. Unfortunately, we don't have the actual document and have absolutely no idea who to contact to ask. I'm guessing it's going to be the UK Border Agency or some branch of the Home Office but we have no contact details and I can't find anything with regard to A8 countries due it no longer being required.

We cannot continue with the application without it as giving a false declaration (saying she entered after 2011) is very illegal, and saying that she was working during the period without being able to provide the WRS reference number is also very illegal. So no, not going there.

She's going to start phoning places in the morning but I figured I'd see if anyone has any experience with this.

Any help would be much appreciated
 
My mother is going through a similar process in case the current situation puts things like her national pension and other things at risk. They require paper proof of stuff which does not exist anymore (she has lived here 40 years)

I would seek a immigration lawyer for advice as they are the ones who have seen it all and though might be on the pricey side, an hour of consultation will probably save you an incredible amount of time and hassle in the grand scheme of things.
 
Not only there wasn't a document as such to be had (a card, a diploma in a frame or a stamp in passport) when WRS was running but her having National Insurance Number is sufficient proof of her registering to WRS (she wouldn't have one otherwise). Also - the WRS ceased to exist as of 2011 and as such doesn't not affect her application (proof of residence from the last five years is required) and she was not legally required to keep any documents prior to that period, especially not on a off chance that immigration law would revoke her automatic permanent resident status (which used to be acquired 5 years from date of entry) and require her to become permanent resident again.

Your missus should seek proper legal advice, because - considering that as far as she's concerned she already became permanent resident in 2012 (automatically), I think she's one english exam and one life in UK test away from just getting British passport straight away.
 
Thanks for that v0n. We didn't know that. Still need the number for the form though.
Unfortunately, even though she is a permanent resident by virtue of being an EU citizen and being here for 10 years, the citizenship application is not designed for people from the EU. Because of this, they require that even EU citizens do the proof of residence application which is aimed at non EU citizens. This form REQUIRES the WRS number for any Polish citizen who was here and working between 2004 and 2011.
I think you're right though. Legal advice is needed.

You'd think they'd make this easy considering everything that's happening.
 
Rilot, this is the British government you're talking about. They couldn't organise the proverbial in a brewery.
 
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