I had booked my test for Monday 7th August and thought I'd fill in my application form so that once I passed I could go straight on to submitting the application. Question 1 on the application form however asked me the date I was granted Indefinitely Leave to Remain. Since I am an EU citizen, I had assumed I had this, but after reading page 6 of the guidance this didn't seem the case and it suggested I apply for an Application form to obtain it.
So, I rang the number to get the Application Form for the Indefinite Leave to remain and was told that I couldn't apply yet, since I had not been in the UK for 5 years yet. I told them that all the information I have been given by the Home Office contradicted this. As I was married to a British citizen I was assured over and over again that I could apply after 3 years of being in the UK.
Well, apparently that only goes for you British Citizenship Application NOT your Indefinitely Leave to Remain application. And the Home Office website was wrong (!!) and he would ask them to change it, so not more people would get confused.
So, I had to cancel my test... as it was no use me taking it for another year.
What outrages me is that people who are not working in the UK, DO NOT have to apply for Indefinite Leave to remain. So just because I am a good resident, paying taxes and contributing to the British community, I have to be here for 5 years before I can apply. But if I hadn't been working I could get it now!???
AND I am an EU citizen (as I said) and as such I am entitled to everything a Brit is, EXCEPT to vote in National Elections and to have a British passport. Everything else is the same!! Sorry, but to me this does NOT make sense AT ALL!!! I am entitled to everything, including staying as long as I d*mn well please... BUT I can not get a little note from the Government to confirm this, until I have been here for at least 5 years! That, if you ask me, is just STUPID!
Can anyone explain to me the logic in this rule??