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Dear CR001 and other experts,

I have a quick question on my naturalization application if you could clarify that please.

I am a spouse of British citizen and got my ILR on 2nd March 2015.

Further to my sister's post: http://www.immigrationboards.com/britis ... 82726.html

she put the wrong dates of my previous visas and therefore I am bit confused about the advise provided by respected CR001

I looked on my passport and my visa dates are following:

Entered UK on student visa: 11 Feb 2010

By completing my MBA I got my PSW visa on 25th Feb 2012.

Got married to British citizen on 2nd July 2012.

Got my spouse dependent visa on 15 Jan 2013.

Got my ILR on: 2nd March 2015.

Since I got my PSW visa in Feb 2012 until now I was out from the country for 130 days in total.

So could you please let me know if I can apply for my naturalization now or do I need to wait for certain time ? Would the 130 days absence since Feb 2012 till present from the UK would affect my naturalization ? Please help me with the month / year when can i apply for my naturalization ?

Thanks for your help.
Zara

3 years counting backwards from the date HO receives your application (eg 16 March 2012 to 16 March 2015).

Absence allowance for the 3 years is no more than 270 days in the 3 years and no more than 90 days in the 12 months before application date.

Also, make sure that you were physically present on exactly the same date 3 years ago that HO receives your application (eg if HO receive it on 20th March, you must have been in the uk on exactly the same date in 2012, even holidays abroad are included). This is a reason for refusal.

For clarity, can you list your absence dates?

Thanks for your help CR001

Please see the below dates in which i was out of the UK from 16th March 2012 until 16th March 2015.

From 15-April-2012 and returned on 13-May-2012 = Total days absence = 29

From 26-June-2012 and returned to UK on 1st-July-2012 = Total days absence = 06

From 06-August-2013 and returned to UK on 15-September-2013 = Total days absence = 41

From 05-May-2014 and returned to UK on 15-June-2014 = Total days absence = 42

From 31-October-2014 and returned to UK on 11-November-2014 = Total days absence = 12

So all together: 29+06+41+42+12 = 130 days out the country from 16th March 2012 until 16th March 2015

Thanks for your help again...
Zara

54 days out in last year by your data it seems.

So should be okay to apply from today till 10 April 2015 (give few days for HO to receive application).

Please note that only full (24 hours) away should be counted. You should not count departure and arrival days.

Thanks for your reply guys.

Sorry for being dumb...Could you please clarify what do you mean by "So should be okay to apply from today till 10 April 2015" ?

What is special about 10th April 2015 and if i apply after 10th April what is the difference ?

Thanks for your assistance folks...
Zara

When are you planning to submit your application?

May be end of April / start of May once we move to our new address. Would that be any issue ?
Thanks
Z

From 15-April-2012 and returned on 13-May-2012 = Total days absence = 29

Yes it would be an issue and a refusal because you were not physically present in the UK at that time 3 years ago (based on the quote above by yourself). You would either need to apply now or at least a few days or 1 week before 15th April or only after 13th May (based on when you returned to the UK 3 years ago).

You do realise the fees go up on the 6th April from £906 to £1025.

Thanks CR001 for your help again...

I have discussed this matter with my husband and we will postpond our move of the house until I get my passport. My husbnad was born here and he don't know any thing about the naturalization application process neither myself.

Could you please let me know what do I need to do now. What kind of documents / application form / any declaration etc are required.

I would really really need your help on this process.

Thanks in advance...
Z

You need to do the following :

1. Complete form AN (first link below) and get two referees to sign the relevant page. They must know you for at least 3 years. One can be a friend who is British and the other one must be a professional (does not have to be British).
2. Either post the application yourself to HO in Liverpool or you can use the Nationality Checking Service (for a small fee) at your local council and they will check your form and photocopy all your documents and give you your originals back (including passports)
3. Then wait for your approval and ceremony invitation letter. Once received, book your ceremony at your local council where you will receive your certificate.
4. Once you have your certificate, you can apply for a British Passport.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... N_v1_0.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... N_v1_0.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... ile/390163
/2903307_requirements_an_booklet_dec_2014.pdf

Documents you have to send are :
1. Your passport and your spouse's British passport
2. Your BRP card with ILR
3. Life in the UK test
4. English Level B1 test certificate
5. Marriage certificate

Thanks I have two more questions:

1- Is there any bank statement required with a specific amount showed in it ?

2- What is the processing time these days ? Let's suppose if I apply on 1st April and everything is correct when can I expect the decision of my application ?

Thanks,
Zara

1- Is there any bank statement required with a specific amount showed in it ? No not required. Income and employment are not a requirement for naturalisation but you should complete the form truthfully.

2- What is the processing time these days ? Let's suppose if I apply on 1st April and everything is correct when can I expect the decision of my application ? Approvals can take anywhere between a 4 weeks and 6 months. Mine took about 5.5 weeks.

Once you receive your approval, you will only 21 days to book your ceremony. The ceremony must be attended within 3 months of your approval letter.

Cheers CR001 for your help. I will go through the application form and will let you know if there is any question.
Thanks
Z

No problem, happy to help with any questions you have.