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Am I eligible to apply for British Citizenship?
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 4:49 pm
by orange01
I am in a process of applying for citizenship and have a little confusion.
I was granted ILR on 14-June-2013 so I am eligible to apply for citizenship on or after 14-June-2014.
I was going through the citizenship guidelines on UKBA website which states that a person has be to in the UK on the same date 5 years ago.
Going back in time – five years ago in June 2009 I was away on a holiday in India and returned back on 04-July-2009.
So my question is that am I eligible to apply for citizenship on 14-June-2014 or do I have to wait until 04-July-2014?
Please can anyone clarify this for me?
Thank you.
Re: Am I eligible to apply for British Citizenship?
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 5:08 pm
by etoklem
NCS were very particular about me being in the UK exactly 5 years ago from the date application reaches HO. May be 4 july is safe. Others/gurus might have an opinion. Good luck
Re: Am I eligible to apply for British Citizenship?
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 5:18 pm
by CR001
wait until 04-July-2014
This is the safe option if you arrived back in the UK on this day, as if you apply in June and you were not physically present at the same time in 2009, your application will be refused.
Re: Am I eligible to apply for British Citizenship?
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 5:26 pm
by orange01
Thanks etoklem for your comment.
Please is there anyone else who can clear my doubt...
I have also noticed that I was initilly granted Tier1 visa in June 2008 so five years on Tier 1 route finished when i was granted ILR on 14-June-2013.
So, UKBA requirement for applicant to be present in the UK in June 2008 (this year Tier 1 granted) or June 2009?
Please help..i am so confused
Re: Am I eligible to apply for British Citizenship?
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 5:35 pm
by CR001
June 2009. The requirement that needs to be met for naturalisation is the 5 years immediately before applying, so in your case June 2009 to June 2014.
Re: Am I eligible to apply for British Citizenship?
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 5:51 pm
by orange01
Thanks Char for taking time to answer my query.
So,to be safe I have to wait till 03-July-14 before I can apply for BC.
What an unusual rule..they should consider the time from initial Tier1 visa date i.e June 2008.
Re: Am I eligible to apply for British Citizenship?
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 5:57 pm
by CR001
Immigration (visa/ILR) rules and nationality rules are different.
If 3rd July is when you were physically back in the UK, then fine. It really is only for the sake of a couple of weeks to be honest but a lot of money to lose if you apply at the wrong time and are refused.
Re: Am I eligible to apply for British Citizenship?
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 6:07 pm
by orange01
Thanks CR001.
You are right. I will wait until 03-July-2014 coz I returned back from holiday on 03-July-09.
Thanks again