Applying for British Citizenship, confused over 3 Year route / 5 years route

[Sufafs]

Dear Admin,

I am seeking your expert advice regarding my current situation. I am presently on ILR, which is set to expire in December 2024. Rather than renewing my ILR, I would like to apply for British citizenship through the naturalisation process.

By way of background, I was out of the UK from January 2022 until August 2022. This means that I am ineligible to apply via the 3-year route, if I have understood the process correctly. My understanding is that I must have been residing in the UK if I plan to apply for naturalisation in May, June, or August of this year. Is that correct?

I would appreciate your expert advice on whether I can apply via the 5-year route, as I am certain that I was present in the UK from May until the end of 2019. Could you please provide some guidance on this matter?

Thank you.

[alterhase58]

Dear Admin,

I am seeking your expert advice regarding my current situation. I am presently on ILR, which is set to expire in December 2024. Rather than renewing my ILR, I would like to apply for British citizenship through the naturalisation process.
ILR doesn't expire it's the BRP card that expires and abolished after 12/24. So you don't have tolook for a different route (and naturalisation is not an immigration status)
By way of background, I was out of the UK from January 2022 until August 2022. This means that I am ineligible to apply via the 3-year route, if I have understood the process correctly. My understanding is that I must have been residing in the UK if I plan to apply for naturalisation in May, June, or August of this year. Is that correct?
Are you the spouse of a British citizen - if yes then you are entitled to the 3 year route, i.e. prove your residency etc for 3 years/
I would appreciate your expert advice on whether I can apply via the 5-year route, as I am certain that I was present in the UK from May until the end of 2019. Could you please provide some guidance on this matter?
you can apply for the 5 year route even if you qualify for 3 years, it's not an either or.

Thank you.

[Sufafs]

@alterhase58
Thank you so much for the response.

ILR doesn't expire it's the BRP card that expires and abolished after 12/24. So you don't have
to look for a different route (and naturalisation is not an immigration status)

Please, can you clarify the above? If I understand correctly, I can stay in the UK on ILR even though my BRP card expires. I have been living in this country for close to 10 years, so I thought to apply for British Citizenship, which can be achieved through the naturalization process, right? Also, can you share the document or the link where this BRP process would be abolished after 12/24? Mine is expiring exactly in Dec'24.

Are you the spouse of a British citizen - if yes then you are entitled to the 3 year route, i.e.
prove your residency etc for 3 years/

Yes, my spouse became a British citizen in 2018, having previously held ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain). I believe I am entitled to the 3-year route; however, I need to meet the condition that I should not be living outside of the UK on the same day and month three years prior to applying for British citizenship. I lived in India from January 2022 until August 2022, so if I go through the 3-year route and apply for citizenship now in May/June, I cannot do so due to my absence. I'm not sure if this is still relevant. Could you kindly clarify?

Kind regards.

[alterhase58]

1. See this link
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=344686

2.
Yes you have to been present on the day 3 or 5 years back from the application date. If you want to apply wait until you satisfy this statutory requirement.

[contorted_svy]

@alterhase58
Thank you so much for the response.

ILR doesn't expire it's the BRP card that expires and abolished after 12/24. So you don't have
to look for a different route (and naturalisation is not an immigration status)

Please, can you clarify the above? If I understand correctly, I can stay in the UK on ILR even though my BRP card expires. I have been living in this country for close to 10 years, so I thought to apply for British Citizenship, which can be achieved through the naturalization process, right? Also, can you share the document or the link where this BRP process would be abolished after 12/24? Mine is expiring exactly in Dec'24.

Are you the spouse of a British citizen - if yes then you are entitled to the 3 year route, i.e.
prove your residency etc for 3 years/

Yes, my spouse became a British citizen in 2018, having previously held ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain). I believe I am entitled to the 3-year route; however, I need to meet the condition that I should not be living outside of the UK on the same day and month three years prior to applying for British citizenship. I lived in India from January 2022 until August 2022, so if I go through the 3-year route and apply for citizenship now in May/June, I cannot do so due to my absence. 2022 is 2 years ago, not 3. Were you in the country in May 2021? If so you can apply now - if not wait until August. do make sure overall your absences are under 270 days and under 90 days in the last 12 months.I'm not sure if this is still relevant. Could you kindly clarify?

Kind regards.