EEA2 to ILR after 3 years, is it possible?
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 6:01 pm
Hi guys,
Please help, I really don't know what to do.
Here is my case:
Had a student visa from 2005 to 2010, then 3 months before my visa was expired I applied for COA and it took over a year for Home Office to issue it, all that time I'd been in the UK (not claiming any benefits and not working) and my passport was in the Home Office (with expired visa).
In 2011 I finally got married to EU national and got my EEA2 visa.
6 months ago my wife became a British Citizen.
Next month will be 3 years since we are married.
I though I could apply for ILR now (as my wife is British), but today I was shocked, I've been told by HO staff that I can't do that, because originally I got visa as a EU Family Member and I have to be married for 5 years before I can apply for ILR, even though she is British now.
What do I do? What is the best and quickest way for me to become a British citizen or at least to get a ILR?
I'll appreciate your help.
Thank you
P.S. Next year will be 10 years since I live in the UK, but I'm not too sure if I'm qualified to settle via "Long Residency" because of that gap in 2010.
Please help, I really don't know what to do.
Here is my case:
Had a student visa from 2005 to 2010, then 3 months before my visa was expired I applied for COA and it took over a year for Home Office to issue it, all that time I'd been in the UK (not claiming any benefits and not working) and my passport was in the Home Office (with expired visa).
In 2011 I finally got married to EU national and got my EEA2 visa.
6 months ago my wife became a British Citizen.
Next month will be 3 years since we are married.
I though I could apply for ILR now (as my wife is British), but today I was shocked, I've been told by HO staff that I can't do that, because originally I got visa as a EU Family Member and I have to be married for 5 years before I can apply for ILR, even though she is British now.
What do I do? What is the best and quickest way for me to become a British citizen or at least to get a ILR?
I'll appreciate your help.
Thank you
P.S. Next year will be 10 years since I live in the UK, but I'm not too sure if I'm qualified to settle via "Long Residency" because of that gap in 2010.