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Citizenship Queries
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 10:44 pm
by mss9025
Hi all,
Hope this finds you well!
I've recently been granted ILR (SET-M) on the 4th of July 2025. I have been claiming IHS refunds on the basis of working in healthcare and my final 6 month period for a refund is 1st Feb 2025 to 31st July 2025. Can I please check that I can still submit for this refund although I now have ILR? I had paid IHS on my previous visa until the 10th of August 2025 (previous visa expiry date).
If I do submit this IHS refund request, can I apply for my citizenship while this is being processed in the background? I'm assuming this will be fine to do?
Any input will be highly appreciated!
Thanks!
Re: Citizenship Queries
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2025 8:04 am
by contorted_svy
This query would be best placed in the ILR forum. If you are entitled to the refund there should be no issue with applying for citizenship but I do not know what are the terms of eligibility based on visa/ILR processes.
Re: Citizenship Queries
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 8:57 am
by mss9025
Thank you for your response contorted svy.
I was filling out the naturalisation application and had a couple of questions please.
"Have you made any previous UK immigration applications in the UK or abroad?"
Assuming this should include ALL UK visa applications ever made and not just the 5 years preceding the naturalisation application?
In this section, would I also need to include applications made to the UK that resulted in refusals?
Many thanks in advance!
Re: Citizenship Queries
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 9:54 am
by contorted_svy
Include all visa applications that led to settlement (not visitor visas) even ones who failed. All the info is only if known so don't worry too much if you don't have all the details.
Re: Citizenship Queries
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 10:12 am
by mss9025
Thank you contorted svy.
Just to confirm, I got ILR after 5 years of being on spouse visa (2020 to 2025) i.e. initial spouse visa and then FLR M after 2.5 years. So these two are the only ones I need to add?
I have had student visas in 2010, 2011 and 2015, and also two visitor visa refusals in 2017. Am I to leave these out?
Really appreciate your input.
Re: Citizenship Queries
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 10:18 am
by alterhase58
All visas (except visitor), that is visas granting "Limited Leave" or "Indefinite Leave", so includes student visas.
Re: Citizenship Queries
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 11:39 am
by mss9025
alterhase58 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 09, 2025 10:18 am
All visas (except visitor), that is visas granting "Limited Leave" or "Indefinite Leave", so includes student visas.
Thank you. I will add the student visas too. Not sure if it makes any difference, but all of my student visas were made outside of the UK.
So please can I double check that I leave out my two visit visa refusals?
Re: Citizenship Queries
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 12:25 pm
by contorted_svy
If they were visitor visas - yes.
Re: Citizenship Queries
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2025 10:17 pm
by mss9025
Thank you!
I have a few more questions I'd like some help with please.
1. Do you have a biometric residence permit (BRP)?
Should I say "no" here since I never received a BRP when I got ILR due to them moving to eVisa? I technically do have my BRP from the FLR M extension that expired 31st December 2024 though.
2. What would I use as proof of ILR considering no BRP was issued? Would the confirmation email be sufficient?
3. Have you provided evidence of your English language ability in a previous application?
I've added the Spouse visa, FLR M and ILR for this. Do I also have to also include the three student visas I had where I had to do IELTS?
4. My wife is a naturalised British citizen since June 2023. I am right to think that I can apply for naturalisation as soon as I have my ILR and don't have to wait 12 months? Just something I wanted to double check.
Many thanks in advance!
Re: Citizenship Queries
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2025 7:52 am
by contorted_svy
mss9025 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 10, 2025 10:17 pm
Thank you!
I have a few more questions I'd like some help with please.
1. Do you have a biometric residence permit (BRP)?
Should I say "no" here since I never received a BRP when I got ILR due to them moving to eVisa? I technically do have my BRP from the FLR M extension that expired 31st December 2024 though.
Say no. They still need to update the form now that BRPs have been phased out
2. What would I use as proof of ILR considering no BRP was issued? Would the confirmation email be sufficient?
Yes, you can do that, and a screenhsot of the verification page with your picture saying you have right to work
3. Have you provided evidence of your English language ability in a previous application?
I've added the Spouse visa, FLR M and ILR for this. Do I also have to also include the three student visas I had where I had to do IELTS?
Just applications that led to settlement,
4. My wife is a naturalised British citizen since June 2023. I am right to think that I can apply for naturalisation as soon as I have my ILR and don't have to wait 12 months? Just something I wanted to double check.
Yes
Many thanks in advance!
Re: Citizenship Queries
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2025 10:43 am
by mss9025
Thank you so much!
Just a few more questions please:
1. Is it ok that my referees have signed the forms before the date I submit my naturalisation application, or must it be strictly after online submission?
2. Do I need to provide copies of my referees passports?
3. If my child is born between submitting the application online and biometrics appointment, must this be declared in a cover letter?
Many thanks again! Really appreciate all your help so far!
Re: Citizenship Queries
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2025 10:47 am
by alterhase58
mss9025 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 23, 2025 10:43 am
Thank you so much!
Just a few more questions please:
1. Is it ok that my referees have signed the forms before the date I submit my naturalisation application, or must it be strictly after online submission?
Can be dated before or after.
2. Do I need to provide copies of my referees passports?
No.
3. If my child is born between submitting the application online and biometrics appointment, must this be declared in a cover letter?
Not required.
Many thanks again! Really appreciate all your help so far!
Re: Citizenship Queries
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2025 1:10 pm
by contorted_svy
If your child will be born in the UK, they will automatically be a British citizen thanks to your ILR status. Keep any ILR documents safe as they will prove your child's status in the future.
Re: Citizenship Queries
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2025 1:32 pm
by mss9025
contorted_svy wrote: ↑Tue Sep 23, 2025 1:10 pm
If your child will be born in the UK, they will automatically be a British citizen thanks to your ILR status. Keep any ILR documents safe as they will prove your child's status in the future.
thank you alterhase and contorted_svy. What ILR documents do you suggest I save considering I never got a BRP. His mother is a naturalised British Citizen. Would her citizenship certificate be enough?
Re: Citizenship Queries
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2025 4:12 pm
by contorted_svy
Was she a British citizen at the moment of the child's birth? If yes, use her certificate.
Re: Citizenship Queries
Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2025 4:00 pm
by mss9025
contorted_svy wrote: ↑Mon Oct 13, 2025 4:12 pm
Was she a British citizen at the moment of the child's birth? If yes, use her certificate.
Yes, she was naturalised in 2023. That's excellent news and makes things a lot easier. Many thanks for all your input!
Re: Citizenship Queries
Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2025 6:56 pm
by contorted_svy
Do everything you can to keep the certificate safe as that will be evidence needed to prove your child's British citizenship.