Paying Class 2 when job seeking immediately prior to moving to France and later self employed

Hello, I recently sent form CF83 to HMRC and have received a letter back saying I can pay class 3 contributions to make up my shortfall of 17 years. I was disappointed at their decision as I had thought and hoped that I would qualify for Class 2 contributions since I had been job seeking in the UK immediately prior to my move to France in 2011. Ironically, I received a job interview which was to have taken place two days after I departed the UK, which obviously was too late for me to accept. I still have the email from the NHS reminding me of the date and time of this interview. I had not signed up to the unemployment office though had been actively looking for work and had been unsuccessful in a previous interview. Living in Shetland, jobs were very few and far between. Is there any way I can challenge the decision made by HMRC? I need to pay the contributions, by April 2025. Thanks for any advice and help.

Hi, 
You can write to the department to dispute the decision made.
There is legislation that we have to follow on paying voluntary NICs in the UK from abroad.
The NI38 provides the information you may need to help you decide if the rate that has been quoted is correct for your circumstances.
Our website: www.gov.uk searching NI38.
Thank you.