The husband of a Frenchwoman fighting for UK citizenship has blasted the Home Office for their “petty” rejection of her application.

Mona Michels, a counselling psychologist living in Edgware, has lived in the UK for 15 years and wanted to apply for citizenship following the vote to leave the European Union in June this year.

After passing all the required tests, filling in the paperwork and paying an application fee of £1,200, her request was rejected by the Home Office last week.

A letter from the Home Office said Mrs Michels’ application was rejected because she did not provide “a document certifying permanent residence or a permanent residence card”.

This comes despite Mrs Michels and her husband Simon providing evidence of her work in the UK, degrees from English universities, marriage certificate and more documents proving her life in the country.

Mr Michels, a business owner, said: “The whole situation is bizarre, unfair and really quite immoral with the Home Office refusing Mona’s application on the grounds we neglected to send one document, keeping our £1,200, and not giving us any chance to rectify it.

“They are clearly digging their feet into the mud with this, which has left us incredibly frustrated as Mona – who has been contributing to the UK for 15 years – has been rejected over something so petty.”

According to the Home Office, the requirement to produce a permanent residence card is “explained several times” on the application forms.

A search on the Home Office’s guide for applicants published in June this year shows the requirement appears once in a single section concerning people from Switzerland and the European Economic Area.

It is not mentioned in the section about applying as the spouse of a British citizen.

Mr Michels has criticised this mention of the requirement as “unclear” and insisted his wife should be able to rectify this mistake due to the lack of clarity.

An unnamed spokesperson from the Home Office said: “All applications for UK citizenship are considered on their own merits and applicants must provide evidence to show they meet the requirements of the immigration rules.

“The requirement to produce a permanent residence card when making an application for UK citizenship applies to all European nationals including those already married to British citizens

“Mrs Michels can reapply for citizenship straight away once she obtains a permanent residence card.”

This repeat application would cost the couple another £1,200 to complete.

Matthew Offord, Conservative MP for Hendon, was made aware of the situation by Mr Michels and has agreed the Home Office’s action is unacceptable.

His office confirmed Mr Offord had “made representations” on the case, but declined to comment further.