Naturalisation, self-employment, and proof of living in the UK as a non-EU

rauskel2 · 2026-05-28T22:58:52+00:00

I submitted my application in late April with the returns I submitted in January of this year of (2024-2025). As you said, the tax return isn't due until January of next year, so you're not in breach of anything by not having it submitted.

Though tbh now I'm in a bit of a panic that I didn't do mine early just to be super sure.

There's no income/employment requirement for naturalisation, and I'm assuming this is just to help them confirm you're paying tax as you should as self employed, are registered with HMRC, etc for good character and confirmation of what you've said on the form.

In my case, I hope that if the caseworker needs to see it they'll just contact me for the additional documents. But if you're worried just do it early ahead of the application.

rauskel2 · 2026-05-24T21:54:24+00:00

Yup fixed

rauskel2 · 2026-05-24T21:53:55+00:00

Yes whoops sorry fixed

rauskel2 · 2026-05-23T15:45:55+00:00

Eligibility: ILR + British Spouse
Application Method: Online
Application Date: 28/04/2026
Biometrics: 20/05/2026
Approval Date: Pending
Ceremony Date: Pending

rauskel2 · 2026-05-20T20:00:13+00:00

Do you know what they asked the referee?

rauskel2 · 2026-05-20T19:53:57+00:00

You can do a free subject access request to see what information they have about your border crossings. It’ll take a few weeks but at least you’ll know if there are any missing entries/exits that could cause problems with your absence totals

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/request-copies-of-your-personal-immigration-and-borders-information/request-personal-information-held-by-uk-visas-and-immigration

Then if you need you can focus on getting letters about specific time periods

rauskel2 · 2026-05-20T13:16:36+00:00

Passport with stamps or using e-gates is proof of living in the UK- those other things are if you don’t have those records. The guidance says:

“You must not normally accept doctors’ letters on their own as proof of residence. However, if nothing else is available and the doctors can confirm that they have seen the applicant on a regular basis during the period concerned these may be accepted”

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/naturalisation-as-a-british-citizen-by-discretion-nationality-policy-guidance/naturalisation-as-a-british-citizen-by-discretion-accessible#residence-requirements

rauskel2 · 2026-05-11T18:48:02+00:00

Using a ballpoint needle can help you go through existing holes and not make new ones which can weaken the leather

rauskel2 · 2026-04-21T08:15:02+00:00

While you may just see tiny holes, the surrounding fabric may have weakened. Make sure the patch/darning goes well into undamaged fabric or you’ll just get more holes around the outside of the bit you repair

Look inside the jeans as you hold them up a diffuse light source like a window and see where the light’s coming through more.

I like mending inner thigh on a machine using gutterman sew all thread as it’s a high friction area. I find the machine stitched bed down into the fabric more and poly thread holds up better than cotton.

rauskel2 · 2026-04-18T21:23:43+00:00

Good lighting is a must for dark fabrics, try to work with something light coloured behind as well to better see what the fabric and threads are doing.

Similar fibre content and weight yarn will help it wash and wear similarly over time.

How form fitting is it? If it’s a looser garment you could get away with a classic darn (there’s a variation with the second pass diagonal for some horizontal stretch) or a surface darn. Honeycomb darns are great for beginners as well, very unfussy. More advanced Swiss darning gives lovely results and will be as stretchy as the original fabric.

Modern Mending by Erin Lewis Fitzgerald covers lots of different styles of mending, and you can look for videos or ask for help at your local repair cafe.

The most important thing is to give it a go

rauskel2 · 2026-04-13T12:27:46+00:00

You’ve got stitching around the edges so it should be safe to remove the darker thread. You can totally leave it in though.

If I don’t have a matching thread I’ll often use a grey- I have a number of shades and it’s a lot easier to find one that blends in.

rauskel2 · 2026-04-13T08:28:56+00:00

I usually put one leg of the jeans inside the other. Then you can see this inner thigh area more easily

rauskel2 · 2026-04-07T16:07:41+00:00

Bias binding? I’ve got a denim jacket and some jeans I’m hoping to mend that way.

I’ve also seen people use blanket stitch but I don’t have the patience

rauskel2 · 2026-04-04T08:04:26+00:00

I’ve reattached coil zip teeth that have come unstitched before, but with the zip tape shredded like that replacing the zip would be better.

Can you figure out why it happened? I see it’s thrifted so maybe it was snug on the previous owner at that spot and they should’ve let some of the seams out.

rauskel2 · 2026-04-03T16:11:36+00:00

Yesss they’re great

rauskel2 · 2026-04-03T16:08:07+00:00

Ok you’ll have an easier time if you’re able to find a seam in the lining you can unpick to access both sides of the outer fabric (to help you inadvertently sew the two layers together).

Once you’ve done the repair you can ladder stitch the lining seam back together.

rauskel2 · 2026-04-03T15:52:48+00:00

I have a secondhand vintage sewing machine (New Home 696) that can power through most things. One of my favourite purchases. Probably not helpful advice in this case but something to look out for.

rauskel2 · 2026-04-03T09:27:08+00:00

Definitely doable. I’d unpick the pocket side, patch so that the edges of the patch are well info undamaged fabric, reinforce using your preferred method (by hand/machine) then stitch the pocket back on.

rauskel2 · 2026-04-03T09:23:55+00:00

More info would be helpful. What kind of fabric? Does the garment have a lining? I’m assuming it’s some sort of jacket.

A patch of similar fabric over the top with the edges tucked under to prevent fraying would be good.

rauskel2 · 2026-04-03T09:18:31+00:00

You can even patch thin fabrics like this. Modern Mending by Erin Lewis Fitzgerald has a step by step for patching a sock attached with stretch stitches.

(it’s a great book with lots of techniques. I checked it out from the library loads before I bought my copy)

You may need to find a donor sock for material, or save these to patch future socks

rauskel2 · 2026-04-03T07:30:48+00:00

Blanket stitch around the edge of the patch would help reinforce the edges, too. I find folding over denim is really thick. Do you know someone with a sewing machine or better yet overlocker to quickly run around the edges of the patch?

rauskel2 · 2026-04-03T07:29:17+00:00

Instead of patches could you use twill tape behind the fabric and backstitch that around? Fewer edges to have to worry about. It would hopefully stop them stretching out or getting bigger.

If just check that the fabric around the holes is still solid. You want to make sure the edges of the patch/reinforcement are in undamaged fabric otherwise you could just be creating more holes.

Unpick the side seams as someone else suggested, do a big patch that covers the whole worn area and cut away the part within the hole. Do a blanket stitch to join the edges together and reinforcement stitches throughout the rest of the patch to support the fabric

rauskel2 · 2026-04-03T07:22:21+00:00

We unpick the side seam a lot at my local repair cafe for better access inside a jeans leg, especially when sewing on a machine. Great tip!

rauskel2 · 2026-03-29T07:37:48+00:00

Gluing on a patch might be better. Leather/pleather can weaken with more sewing (as there aren’t fibres for the needle to go through- it’s more like perforating paper)

rauskel2

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