Naturalisation 3 vs 5 year route
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2023 11:51 am
Hi all,
I’m a British citizen and my wife received her ILR 2 years ago. However owing to long absences from the country during Covid we didn’t apply for citizenship for my wife immediately after ILR at the time (I was already a british citizen when she received her ILR).
Now, she fulfills all the requirements both under the 5 year residence route as well as the 3 year route. In the 3 year route, her absences still exceed the 270 days but is within the allowable range based on the latest guidance.
My question is - can we still apply for naturalisation for her under the 5 year route even if she if married to a british citizen? Or are we obligated to apply under the 3 year route? The main reason I’m considering the 5 year route is because this will involve less paperwork and we don’t have to rely on the exceptions (and having to show additional documentation) with respect to her allowable absences under the 3 year route.
Thanks very much for your guidance.
I’m a British citizen and my wife received her ILR 2 years ago. However owing to long absences from the country during Covid we didn’t apply for citizenship for my wife immediately after ILR at the time (I was already a british citizen when she received her ILR).
Now, she fulfills all the requirements both under the 5 year residence route as well as the 3 year route. In the 3 year route, her absences still exceed the 270 days but is within the allowable range based on the latest guidance.
My question is - can we still apply for naturalisation for her under the 5 year route even if she if married to a british citizen? Or are we obligated to apply under the 3 year route? The main reason I’m considering the 5 year route is because this will involve less paperwork and we don’t have to rely on the exceptions (and having to show additional documentation) with respect to her allowable absences under the 3 year route.
Thanks very much for your guidance.