Naturalisation as spouse - timescales

Hello,

A friend has told me a new thing about naturalising as a British citizen - people on spousal dependant visa can get ILR in 3 years - IF their husband is a British citizen.

Is this correct?

Maybe friend is mixing up ILR with naturalisation?
You need ILR to apply for naturalisation and if married to BC you can apply straight after gaining ILR, if you satisfy all the requirements, including a three year residency before the application. ILR requirements are separate of course.
See page 5 of the guidance issued for naturalisation:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... ooklet.pdf

lavroh wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 20, 2019 11:36 am

Hello,

A friend has told me a new thing about naturalising as a British citizen - people on spousal dependant visa can get ILR in 3 years - IF their husband is a British citizen.

Is this correct?

ILR requires a mandatory 5 years residence before you can apply. This has been the case since 9th July 2012. Nothing has changed or is 'new'.

The 3 year requirement for British citizenship is completely separate and independent to the ILR 5 year requirements.

alterhase58 wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 20, 2019 12:00 pm

Maybe friend is mixing up ILR with naturalisation?
You need ILR to apply for naturalisation and if married to BC you can apply straight after gaining ILR, if you satisfy all the requirements, including a three year residency before the application. ILR requirements are separate of course.
See page 5 of the guidance issued for naturalisation:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... ooklet.pdf

Just so I understand this correctly, a person married to a BC can apply for citizenship on the very day after their ILR comes in?

crispy wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 20, 2019 3:19 pm

alterhase58 wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 20, 2019 12:00 pm

Maybe friend is mixing up ILR with naturalisation?
You need ILR to apply for naturalisation and if married to BC you can apply straight after gaining ILR, if you satisfy all the requirements, including a three year residency before the application. ILR requirements are separate of course.
See page 5 of the guidance issued for naturalisation:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... ooklet.pdf

Just so I understand this correctly, a person married to a BC can apply for citizenship on the very day after their ILR comes in?

Yes, once they have their BRP card AND they meet all the 3 years requirements to apply.

CR001 wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 20, 2019 3:23 pm

Yes, once they have their BRP card AND they meet all the 3 years requirements to apply.

Thank you again, CR001.

It would make sense for someone wanting to get citizenship as quickly as possible (so that the years of existential anxiety can end) to start collecting documents, completing forms, and studying for/passing the Life in the UK test before their ILR is granted then. Just to put in the groundwork so that the application for citizenship can be triggered as soon as the BRP card arrives.