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I need some guidance regarding residential qualifying period for British nationality.
I am here in UK from last 6 years.
Timeline is as follows:
Date of Entry in UK: 25/11/03
Got ILR on 25/11/08

My absences in 6 years:
20/01/05 to 26/02/05: 37 Days
28/01/08 to 11/03/09: 40 Days
Now I want to apply for British citizenship.
If I apply 25/01/2010.Then exactly 5 years before on 25/01/05 , I was out of UK.
While one requirement is, applicant should be present at the start of 5 year qualifying period.

Can I apply for British Passport right now or should I wait for 26th February to apply for British Passport?
Any expert advice would be highly appreciated

On / after 26 Feb 2010.

regards

You don't apply for British passport, you apply for naturalisation.

Thanks for your expert advice

shaz777 wrote:I need some guidance regarding residential qualifying period for British nationality.
I am here in UK from last 6 years.
Timeline is as follows:
Date of Entry in UK: 25/11/03
Got ILR on 25/11/08

My absences in 6 years:
20/01/05 to 26/02/05: 37 Days
28/01/08 to 11/03/09: 40 Days
Now I want to apply for British citizenship.
If I apply 25/01/2010.Then exactly 5 years before on 25/01/05 , I was out of UK.
While one requirement is, applicant should be present at the start of 5 year qualifying period.

Can I apply for British Passport right now or should I wait for 26th February to apply for British Passport?
Any expert advice would be highly appreciated

Could I ask if you was away for holidays or for work? If you was away for work you can explain in the covering letter and apply with a letter for discretion to be used.

And you if was away for holidays then you better off applying on 26th.

You have to apply Naturalisation before you apply for British Passport. Because Naturalisation Confirms your citizenship and Passport is a travelling document.

Hope it helps. God bless.

Kesh, I doubt a covering letter will help, the requirement to be physically present in the UK on the date exactly five years before your Naturalisation application reaches the HO is one area that no discretion is allowed.

shaz777 wrote:I need some guidance regarding residential qualifying period for British nationality.
I am here in UK from last 6 years.
Timeline is as follows:
Date of Entry in UK: 25/11/03
Got ILR on 25/11/08

My absences in 6 years:
20/01/05 to 26/02/05: 37 Days
28/01/08 to 11/03/09: 40 Days
Now I want to apply for British citizenship.
If I apply 25/01/2010.Then exactly 5 years before on 25/01/05 , I was out of UK.
While one requirement is, applicant should be present at the start of 5 year qualifying period.

Can I apply for British Passport right now or should I wait for 26th February to apply for British Passport?
Any expert advice would be highly appreciated

You can apply citizenship after 26th Feb. Dont send any type of covering letter as it will confuse HO. JUST WAIT AND APPLY AFTER 26TH FEB.

I highly appreciate your input.
I also do feel that there is no waiver for physically not present in Uk at start of residential qualifying period.
Maximum they can offer me re-declaration as 26th february date is less than 2 months required for offering re-delaration.

One more querry to ask, if anyboy can help?
Although I have been here in UK from more than 6 years and got ILR more than year ago.
But
my first passport expired in june 2007 with visa stamped till dec 07
my new passport issued in october 2007.
there is a 3 month gap betwen expiry of first passport and issuance of secon passport.

Although I got my ILR without any objection in nov 2008 , can this create any confusion in assessing my 5 year qualifying residence as passport will be only proof for assessing residence period?