British Citizenship application timing

[academic711]

Hello
I have a question about the timing for British Citizenship application.
My residency history
Tier IV- April 2018 to 12 July 2022
Global Talent- 12 July 2022 to 16 June 2025
ILR- 16 June 2025 to date.

My spouse and my daughter
Tier IV dependent - April 2018 to 12 July 2022
Global Talent Dependent- 12 July 2022 to 16 June 2025
ILR 16 June 2025 to date.

It says in the requirement that the applicant should be present in the UK 5 years prior to the date of application. Does that apply on me since I was awarded citizenship based on GTV? I and my family were not present in the UK during mid Feb 2021 to mid August 2021 due to Covid related travel restrictions. We got stuck in Pakistan after the country was placed on the red list.
Since I got my ILR through 3 year GTV route, does that apply on me? or I can apply for citizenship in June this year?
How about my dependents? They got ILR based on 5 year residency (including Tier IV dependent time), should they wait until August to apply for citizenship?
Also does 28 day application rule apply on citizenship applications as well?
Thank you

[CR001]

Since I got my ILR through 3 year GTV route, does that apply on me? or I can apply for citizenship in June this year?

Your route to ILR is irrelevant. Citizenshipnis kot an immigration application and has different rules and laws to visas and ILR. You should apply in August when you meet the physically present requirment.

How about my dependents? They got ILR based on 5 year residency (including Tier IV dependent time), should they wait until August to apply for citizenship?

Yes, they have to wait.

All applicants must meet all the requirements individually.

Also does 28 day application rule apply on citizenship applications as well?

No it does not, there no 28 days early rule for citizenship, it is NOT and immigration application.

[academic711]

Thank you very much for your response. very helpful.
Just requesting a bit more clarity on my case.
I got my ILR after spending 3 years on GTV. Now having spent a full year on ILR, I should be able to apply for citizenship. You mentioned I should wait until August. Is it a universal rule that you must be here 5 years before the date of application? Imagine someone enter UK on GTV, should not they able to apply for citizenship after 4 years? (3 years GTV + 1 year ILR)?
I understand what you said about the family but a bit more clarity on my case will be much appreciated.

[CR001]

Now having spent a full year on ILR, I should be able to apply for citizenship. You mentioned I should wait until August.

You state you got ILR in June 2025, so you have not had ILR for a year. If you were not physically present in the uk at the start of the 5 year qualifying period for citizenship, you should wait till you meet rhe requirement. It is literally two months you have to wait!!

Is it a universal rule that you must be here 5 years before the date of application?

Yes, it applies to ALL adult applicants, regardless if visa route.

Imagine someone enter UK on GTV, should not they able to apply for citizenship after 4 years? (3 years GTV + 1 year ILR)?

For citizenship ship you require 5 years residence, with at least 1 year on ILR, unless you are married to a British citizen. So someone who got a GTV visa outside the UK and got ILR after 3 years GTV, would have to wait till they have had ILR for 2 years to have 5 years residence to apply for citizenship, as one of the requir.wnt that must be met. The physically present at the start of the 5 year period is a separate requirement.

[academic711]

Thank you. This is very helpful. I was under the incorrect impression that with GTV, only 1 year spent on ILR makes you eligible to apply for citizenship.
Thank you again