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UK resident - two gap years

Hi,

I'm a UK national (dual citizen with another country) from nursery to A levels - education in the UK. Decided to take a gap year and deferred entry but then changed mind about the course and took another gap year. During those two years I lived abroad temporarily in the other country as my parents took career breaks and temporarily were back there too but then returned as I started course. I had short visits back to the UK 4-5 times in that period. I'm being asked for additional evidence. Will this suffice?
My UK bank statement, GP letter of registration in my name. Parents career break letters. UK Home mortgage letter. Parents UK bank statement.

(edited 5 months ago)

Reply 1

Claire SFE

Official Rep

Original post by Aimzar

Hi,
I'm a UK national (dual citizen with another country) from nursery to A levels - education in the UK. Decided to take a gap year and deferred entry but then changed mind about the course and took another gap year. During those two years I lived abroad temporarily in the other country as my parents took career breaks and temporarily were back there too but then returned as I started course. I had short visits back to the UK 4-5 times in that period. I'm being asked for additional evidence. Will this suffice?
My UK bank statement, GP letter of registration in my name. Parents career break letters. UK Home mortgage letter. Parents UK bank statement.

Hi Aimzar,

If you can provide evidence like you have mentioned to show you kept links with the UK, you will need to send this so the assessor can you review this and confirm if its enough to accept your time outside the UK was temporary. The more you can provide the better chance you have of it being accepted.

Thanks,
Claire

Reply 2

Aimzar

Online account still says ineligible. I've submitted evidence a week ago. How long does it for you to review and respond? Thanks

(edited 4 months ago)

Reply 3

Angela SFE

Official Rep

Original post by Aimzar

Online account still says ineligible. I've submitted evidence a week ago. How long does it for you to review and respond? Thanks

Hi Aimzar, The current timescale for the evidence to be reviewed is 28 working days from the date received. Thanks, Angela

Reply 4

Aimzar

I have been told over the phone to formally appeal now as the evidence above was mouth enough: Student has still not provided evidence to show a strong link was maintained to the UK and remains ineligible. We need to see maintenance of home in the UK, regular mortgage payments, council tax bills, utility bills, bank statements showing payments for upkeep of property for absence.

It was not accepted but I had not provided the mortgage statements previously. It was just a letter about the mortgage. If I now provide mortgage statements and payments made to estate agent for maintenance of home and if our family home is given for rent to support the my father's career break and my two gap years. Would that still show strong links? My father does not want to provide full banks statements of three years if not necessary (privacy concerns/separation from partner etc). We do not have council tax bills or utility bills as our family home was on rent. I stayed with my aunt and grandma when I returned during my time abroad. My father returned from career break and I returned from my gap years when I commenced uni.

I was an ordinary UK resident with no periods outside of the country between the age of 3 and 17.5 and born with a British passport. I literally took an additional gap year to strengthen my application for university and to have more life experience and now student finance keep rejecting my evidence and applications. I just don't understand and am so stressed and anxious. Someone please help. I'm tired of calling SfE being on hold for an hour and not being told anything of use or help. Half the time calls disconnect. This forum has been more useful than anything.

Will this evidence suffice as part of a formal appeal? Do I need to now pay for a solicitor when I have no money as is?!

(edited 3 months ago)

Reply 5

Stephen SLC

Official Rep

Hi Aimzar, the required evidence would need to show that you have maintained a connection to the UK during your temporary break. We would advise to submit any and all evidences which you have not already submitted to allow further review.

Thanks,
Stephen

Reply 6

Aimzar

What evidence is normally expected? As mentioned I can provide the above

Reply 7

David SLC

Official Rep

Hi Aimzar. In general, evidence for this we look for is bank statements or Utility Bills. However, in these cases, the assessors would ask that you provide all evidence you feel is applicable to show you maintained connection with the UK. We cannot guarantee any evidence will be accepted but only that you send all evidence you have available to show this connection. Thanks, David

Reply 8

Aimzar

Original post by David SLC

Thanks David. So in this instance, is the bank statement to show proof of address being in the UK? Do I need to submit statements for the entire absence period or will one monthly statement from that period suffice?

Reply 9

David SLC

Official Rep

That is correct. The period needs to cover the full dates requested so the bank statements need to cover fully the period that should have been outlined to you in an email requesting the evidence. Thanks, David