diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 8720553..274ae0d 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -66,3 +66,10 @@ Utopia-ai-hr-ats-portal 1.pem
 # Local-only Compose overrides (never deployed)
 docker.local.env
 tests/**
+**/.env**
+
+# Paper form source documents (Annexure A/E/J) — reference material, not code.
+# Root-anchored: backend/candidate_forms/ is the forms domain package and IS tracked.
+/candidate_forms/
+frontend/dist/** */
+docker.local.frontend/dist/** */
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/backend/candidate_forms/views.py b/backend/candidate_forms/views.py
index 447a797..fffdd92 100644
--- a/backend/candidate_forms/views.py
+++ b/backend/candidate_forms/views.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ from candidate_forms.plugins import (
 )
 from candidate_forms.serializers import serialize_form
 from inbox.models import Inbox
-from job.candidate.models import Manual_UPLOAD_CANDIDATE
+from job.candidate.models import Interviews, Manual_UPLOAD_CANDIDATE
 from job.history.enums import HistoryEvent
 from job.history.views import HistoryRecorder
 from job.job_post.models import JobPosts
@@ -263,13 +263,23 @@ class CandidateForm:
             )
         inbox_id, manual_id, job_post_id, stage = await self._validate_link(payload)
         if stage not in FORM_READY_STATUSES:
-            raise HTTPException(
-                status_code=409,
-                detail=(
-                    "Forms unlock at the Interview stage — this candidate is at "
-                    f"{stage or 'Shortlist'}"
-                ),
-            )
+            # A scheduled interview also unlocks the forms: the paperwork belongs
+            # to the interview, not to which kanban column the card sits in.
+            # (Interview records link only to inbox rows, so manual-upload
+            # candidates unlock by stage alone.)
+            has_interview = False
+            if inbox_id is not None:
+                rows = await Interviews.get_interviews_by_inbox(self.session, inbox_id)
+                has_interview = bool(rows)
+            if not has_interview:
+                raise HTTPException(
+                    status_code=409,
+                    detail=(
+                        "Forms unlock once the candidate reaches the Interview stage "
+                        f"or has an interview scheduled — this candidate is at "
+                        f"{stage or 'Shortlist'} with no interview on record"
+                    ),
+                )
 
         fields = {
             "inbox_id": inbox_id,
diff --git a/frontend/src/screens/CandidateForms.jsx b/frontend/src/screens/CandidateForms.jsx
index 391cd71..4547a28 100644
--- a/frontend/src/screens/CandidateForms.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/screens/CandidateForms.jsx
@@ -72,7 +72,10 @@ export default function CandidateFormsTab({ userId, live }) {
   const listParams = inboxId ? { inboxId } : { manualUploadCandidateId: manualId }
   const hasApplication = Boolean(inboxId || manualId)
   const stage = String(live?.application_status || '').toUpperCase()
-  const unlocked = formsApi.FORM_READY_STATUSES.includes(stage)
+  // Stage-ready OR an interview on the books — scheduling an interview is what
+  // makes the paperwork relevant, wherever the kanban card sits.
+  const hasInterview = (live?.interviews?.length ?? 0) > 0
+  const unlocked = formsApi.FORM_READY_STATUSES.includes(stage) || hasInterview
 
   const defsQuery = useQuery({
     queryKey: qk.forms.definitions(),
@@ -102,8 +105,9 @@ export default function CandidateFormsTab({ userId, live }) {
   if (!unlocked) {
     return (
       <EmptyState icon="lock" title="Forms unlock at the Interview stage">
-        This candidate is at {STAGE_FROM_STATUS[stage] ?? titleCase(stage)}. Move them along
-        the pipeline to fill the requisition, evaluation and offer forms.
+        This candidate is at {STAGE_FROM_STATUS[stage] ?? titleCase(stage)} with no interview
+        on record. Schedule an interview on the Interview tab, or move them along the
+        pipeline, to fill the requisition, evaluation and offer forms.
       </EmptyState>
     )
   }