What if I am not in the UK after I submit my application

[J_Blackcat]

I am meeting all the requirement and am eligible to apply for the British Citizenship (Naturalisation) . However, my situation is slightly complex in terms of that after I submit the application, while it's still being considered, I am planning to leave the country for some months for maternity leave.

I can't really wait to apply after I come back because I will not then meet the requirement of less than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months.

I booked an NCS appointment for 23 April 2015, and I am planning to fly out from London on 26th July so that's three months after the application being submitted. The reason why I am leaving is because I would like to give birth to my child (expected due date is in beginning of October) in my home country China, not only parents can look after me but also it's much cheaper for me than having take maternity leave in London.

As I am selling my current property and from 26th July till I am back from my maternity leave, I probably will not have a UK home address.

I am aware of it that the application could take up to 6 months and only has 3 months after the application to book the ceremony with the local council.

My question really are that,
1. when I am going on maternity leave, can I change my corresponding address for all the home office communication to be sent to my parents address?
2. can I call home office, explain my situation to them and find out the status of my application?
3. can the approval letter be sent to an address in China?
3. can I have my ceremony in China, for example, at British Consulate General in Shanghai?

Thank you very much for helping me here.

[fwd079]

Well, you are going to NCS appointment so I would strongly suggest to ask NCS person how to go about it.

I am no expert on foreign matters but reading your post, I have one objection to your chosen method:

You have to give Biometric information now, which is to be registered at designated Post Office branches, so for that reason alone you may have to be present in UK, as I am not too sure how they'd deal with that requirement in China.

I am guessing if you provide your current address in section 1.16 (page 4) then most probably Home Office will send letter(s) and Biometric requirement there. But then again, its something you must ask NCS as they can phone Home Office directly and ask them about it, before accepting your application.

This might mean you spend around £70 for information and NCS might not accept your application, but you will be saving £1005 for this. I'd await further replies to this.

[CR001]

You should wait to apply after you return from China and wait for a bit till your absence is within the limit. Your baby will need a visa to come back if born in China. If born in the UK, baby will automatically be British if you have ILR.

As already mentioned, you need to enrol biometrics now and if you don't, face likely refusal. HO unlikely to correspond to an adress in China.

[J_Blackcat]

CR001 and fwd079, thank you for your reply. I will double check with the NCS person, and give a call to the Home Office to see if you can comment on this.