Naturalisation Route

Hi,

I am finally applying for Naturalisation for my wife, it’s taken me 10 years to convince her to change from an Indian to a British passport.

We were married in India on 2008, She came over to the UK in 2009 via a Spouse visa, and applied for ILR successfully 2 years later. Her Indian passport expires in June 2019. So, she would need to renew that and apply for BRP, if we do not go down the naturalisation route.

She has got the Life in the Test done for her ILR
I have booked her in for the B1 SELT – GESE Grade 5 this Sunday. £150, seems pretty straight forward.

I’ve read its takes around 6 months to get naturalisation, but hers looks like a straightforward case so hoping for the 6/8 week mark hopefully.

Just wanted to make sure that her Indian passport expiring in June doesn’t cause any sort of problem?

No issue regarding passport expiring.

Approvals take anywhere between a few weeks and a few months.

As she received ILR quite some time ago, HO might well need evidence that she has been rsisent in the UK since ILR was granted.

Bear in mind that she also has to meet all the requirements to apply based on 3 years residence spouse of BC, including being physically present in the UK exactly 3 years ago on the same date that she applies for citizen and she must meet the absence requirement of 270 days max in the preceding 3 years and 90 days in the preceding 12 months to date of application.

Thanks Char and for the detailed info.

I was aware of the 270 days for the preceding 3 years, not the 90 days preceding, still doing research so we will collect all info before actually applying. I'm assuming her passport stamps will prove this, there shouldn't be a requirement for further evidence?

I have been reading a lot of posts regarding the online method and the new UKVCAS service, the timeline post is great and the post for help for the AN application. This forum has been a great help in the past and I'm glad is still going strong.

Wife aced the B1 Test today, well she got A & A for the topic and conversation parts, overall a pass.

So need to wait around 7 days for the certificate to come through, will start filling out the online form.

Finally applied for Citizenship, Online and new service, Biometric's booked for Saturday. Have uploaded all the mandatory documents. There are optional docs as well, if you so wish.

This is the documents checklist:

- The passport issued by India for Mrs X
-Mrs X certificate proving you have a speaking and listening qualification in English
at B1 CEFR or higher
-Mrs X Life in the UK Test pass notification
-Proof of living in the UK for Mrs X
-Your marriage or civil partnership certificate
-Mrs X's proof of freedom from immigration time restrictions
-Two referee declarations for Mrs X
-Mrs X's evidence of identity
-One proof of British citizenship for Mr X (such as a passport or UK citizenship certificate)

Passport covers at least 3 options in the list above.

I received this email from hocommunications@communications.homeoffice.gov.uk today

Dear MRS X,

Case ID: XXXXXXXX

Thank you for your application to the Home Office. Your application has been received and is being considered.

It may take up to six months to make a decision on your case. If we are unable to process your application within six months we will tell you as soon as possible.

Our web page contains further information on our service standards and other information which may relate to your application.

Please note that this is an automated response confirming receipt of your application and does not accept responses. Please do not reply to this email.

If there is a change in your circumstances, we kindly ask that you only contact us using this link: https://www.gov.uk/change-circumstances-visa-brp

Permanent migration team

Will let you know how the Biometrics go on Saturday...

Used the document checking service (Admin.UKvas@soprasteria.com) and got the following email yesterday:

Dear Mrs X,
Thank you for uploading your supporting evidence to the UK Visas and Citizenship Application Service website. We have now completed the following checks of the files, that were available as of 14/03/2019
• Checked for the presence of all mandatory documents
• Checked that all documents are legible
• Checked that all documents been uploaded to the correct category
• Checked for any obvious missing pages
• Checked that all uploaded documents are in either English or Welsh language, or have an accompanying English or Welsh translation.
 No action required: Following a review of supporting evidence available, we can confirm that:
o Mandatory documents are present in all required categories
o All documents are legible
o All documents have been uploaded to the correct category
o There are no obvious missing pages in any of the documents
o All documents are in either English or Welsh language, or are accompanied with an English or Welsh translation that obviously relates to the original

Please ensure that you have read and understood the full requirements for supporting evidence by referring to the applicable guidance notes available on GOV.UK.
If you are unable to correct any of the recommendations above, you have the option of bringing your paper supporting evidence with you to your appointment and one of our Service Agents will be able scan and upload this for you (charges may apply).

UKVCAS Customer Services
This service is managed and provided by Sopra Steria

Accompanied the wife for Biometrics yesterday in Croydon, appointment at 4pm, arrived there at 3:50pm, out of there at 4:35pm. Seems like chaos, so we were lucky to get out of there so quick, but i think the uploaded and buying the document checking helped. They said she would receive an email, and it will take a maximum of 6 month for a decision, but if we are lucky it should be quicker. No email received thus far, but I read this is normal?