Citizenship after indefinite leave after ten years' stay

[Jay Menon]

Hi Guys

In a couple of months' time, I complete ten years' residence in the UK and would qualify for indefinite leave to remain (subject to a successful application).

Once that is granted wil I need to wait for a further year before applying for UK citizenship? I have heard that I could apply straight away...

Regards

Jay

[ppron747]

Hi Guys
In a couple of months' time, I complete ten years' residence in the UK and would qualify for indefinite leave to remain (subject to a successful application).

Once that is granted wil I need to wait for a further year before applying for UK citizenship? I have heard that I could apply straight away...

The fact that you'll have been in UK for ten years won't in itself mean that you don't need to complete the normal 12 months without time restrictions. There are very limited circumstances in which the requirement will be waived.

One of the circumstances (which I hope will not happen!) is that if your ILR application takes over 15 months to approve - through no fault of your own - they will generally exercise discretion.

Generally, though, IND is very strict on this requirement, taking the view that if it wasn't important it wouldn't be in the Act.