UK naturalisation application from the US

Hi,

I am about to be eligible to apply for naturalisation as a British citizen, however, I am currently undertaking an expatriate assignment for a British company in the US (Houston, TX).

The UKBA website touches on application from abroad, and what other documents can be send instead of passport, but I find the website a bit vague.Therefore, I am wondering if anybody could advise or share their experience on how the process work for similar cases as mine.

In particular, is it possible to do the process without sending my Indian passport, given that my US visa is on it? Will my absence from the UK in the last 12 months will be waived?

Other relevant info:

1. I was granted ILR on 14th December 2012 (prior to that I was on work permit for 5 years, and on student visa for 3 years)

2. I have started the expat contract in July 2013, and the contract ends December 2014 after which I intend to go back to the UK (unless I leave the job earlier).

I understand it might be a bit complicated but thought may be someone out there would know

Thanks ...

See Can I apply for naturalisation from abroad (outside the UK)?.

teredolites,

This is not complicated as it looks if you look at the below;

1. In the last 5 years what is the total time you have been out of UK?

2. Do you have any firm ties with the UK, like next of kin, title deeds of a home. This will be needed to prove you intend to make UK your main home.

3. Will your company provide you with a letter that clearly shows you have been sent on deputation for a year. And will you move back into the post in UK on your return?

4.If you have met all the other residential requirements, there is no reason why your case should not succeed. Also now that you are close to the end of the year and are due to return you could wait a few months and apply having made it this far.

5. As far as passport is concerned , when you make an application through solicitors, they can file attested copies and you can hold on to the originals.

I believe even if you decide to apply on 15 Dec (I year after your ILR), you can still make it happen.
cheers
vr

Jambo wrote:See Can I apply for naturalisation from abroad (outside the UK)?.

Thanks Jambo...
It says my application most likely will fail!

VR wrote:teredolites,

This is not complicated as it looks if you look at the below;

1. In the last 5 years what is the total time you have been out of UK?

2. Do you have any firm ties with the UK, like next of kin, title deeds of a home. This will be needed to prove you intend to make UK your main home.

3. Will your company provide you with a letter that clearly shows you have been sent on deputation for a year. And will you move back into the post in UK on your return?

4.If you have met all the other residential requirements, there is no reason why your case should not succeed. Also now that you are close to the end of the year and are due to return you could wait a few months and apply having made it this far.

5. As far as passport is concerned , when you make an application through solicitors, they can file attested copies and you can hold on to the originals.

I believe even if you decide to apply on 15 Dec (I year after your ILR), you can still make it happen.
cheers
vr

Thanks VR ...

I would possibly struggle to prove my intention of making UK my main home as I've no properties or next of kin there! I am in a relationship with a British citizen but we do not have any official documents to prove that.

I will get everything I need from my company, as you suggested.

Finding a solicitor here in Houston with UK immigration experience could be a challenge May be I will contact someone in the UK and file my application when I'm there on holidays...