Using the new Form A

The new Form A will prepopulate some data you've previously entered to streamline the application process. If this data is incorrect, please contact us.

Yes. Security controls will stop you from entering certain sequences of special characters in the form.

Please don't enter these characters in any of the following sequences:

• &#
• %3C
• &lt
• &LT
• &g
• &G
• \x
• \u
• \“ “
• <,>

Yes, any document you upload mustn't exceed the maximum file size of 7 MB.

You can submit files in the formats below:

• csv
• doc
• docm
• docx
• pdf
• ppt
• pptx
• rtf
• txt
• xls
• xlsx
• xml

Uploaded files are automatically scanned for viruses to provide added security.

While this scan is happening, you can ‘Save as draft’ and continue filling in the form.

Once the scan is complete, you can submit your application.

Yes. Please see our accessibility statement for more information.

In almost all cases, we won't accept paper versions (ie Word documents) of Form A applications.

There may be some exceptions for certain application types where we'll need to ask you for a paper version.

No, if you're completing another type of application that requires a Form A (known as a ‘related application’), you won't be able to use the new version of Form A yet. Please continue to use the old version of Form A for the time being.

This applies to the following types of application:

• Appointed Representative
• Variation of Permission (VOP)
• New authorisation for:
  • Consumer Credit Full Permission
  • Consumer Credit Limited Permission
  • Consumer Credit with Non-Investment Insurance Contracts and/or Home Finance
  • Non-Investment Insurance Contracts
  • Non-Investment Insurance Contracts and Home Finance
  • Funeral Plan Providers
  • Claims Management

Yes. The £250 fee still applies for Form A if the candidate:

• hasn't held a senior management function or controlled function before, or
• hasn't held a senior management or controlled function in the last 6 months, or
• experienced a material change in fitness and proprietary since the submission of the initial Form A

If you're a solo regulated firm
We've extended the employment history requirement from 5 to 10 years so that you don't also need to provide a CV as part of your application. This is consistent with other FCA applications (eg Markets in Financial Instruments Directive forms).

If you're a dual regulated firm
You still need to submit the candidate’s CV. The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) continues to require a CV for dual regulated firm applications. This is because these applications are more complex and require a full range of information to be able to effectively assess a candidate’s application.

So that we get everything we need to assess the application from the start.

We previously received many applications with missing information, and had to go back to firms and individuals asking them to address the gaps.

Where possible, please use the link to access the new Form A. 

After the roll out of Form A is complete, the new form will be accessed via the Connect platform as normal.

If you've already started a draft in Connect, you can submit this as you normally would so long as it's within 90 days of creating the application.

Any draft applications in Connect that haven't been accessed for 90 days will be deleted.

If you still want to submit a Form A application, you can choose to start it again by using the new Form A.