Page 1 of 1
ILR as a spouse of a British citizen - 2 year route eligibility question
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2022 9:32 am
by engrcj
Hi all, I hope you are well.
My partner and I got married last year but we have been long distance so he's been living outside the UK for some time. I am applying for naturalisation soon so will become a British citizen in a month or two. My husband will finish his secondment early next year and plan to return to the UK either via a family visa or a sponsored work visa. It's not clear how to get onto the 2-year route. We understand that some can apply for naturalisation after 3 years of living in the UK holding the ILR.
If anyone was in a similar case or could shed some light on this, we'd be very grateful!
Re: ILR as a spouse of a British citizen - 2 year route eligibility question
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2022 10:21 am
by meself2
what kind of a two year route you mean?
Be aware that citizenship (becoming British) and immigration (getting ILR) are two different things.
Your husband can apply for naturalization straight away when he has ILR/settled status and lived in the UK for 3 years (where absences are under expected amount, etc), if his partner (you, in this case) is British.
But to get to this point, your husband has to get ILR, which is a different story, since it's related Io immigration. Most routes to ILR are 5 years, but some could be 10; there are a few shorter ones (eg Global Talent or T1(Enterpreneur) take 3 years to ILR), but I doubt they apply for your situation.
Most likely your husband will have to go through 5 year route (family/skilled worker) and only when he gets ILR, he can go for citizenship, as stated above.
Re: ILR as a spouse of a British citizen - 2 year route eligibility question
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2022 10:24 am
by Ticktack
engrcj wrote: ↑Wed Dec 07, 2022 9:32 am
Hi all, I hope you are well.
My partner and I got married last year but we have been long distance so he's been living outside the UK for some time. I am applying for naturalisation soon so will become a British citizen in a month or two. My husband will finish his secondment early next year and plan to return to the UK either via a family visa or a sponsored work visa. It's not clear how to get onto the 2-year route. We understand that some can apply for naturalisation after 3 years of living in the UK holding the ILR.
If anyone was in a similar case or could shed some light on this, we'd be very grateful!
There's no 2 year route for your spouse. Not sure where you got that from? Your spouse would apply as the spouse of a British citizen and would commence a 5 year route to settlement.
Your spouse can and will only get ILR after 5 years.
Re: ILR as a spouse of a British citizen - 2 year route eligibility question
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2022 10:52 am
by engrcj
Thank you both.
https://www.gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to- ... amily-visa not much information there about the 2 year route really so thought I'd ask here

Re: ILR as a spouse of a British citizen - 2 year route eligibility question
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2022 11:02 am
by zimba
There is no two year route to ILR under the family route unless you were first granted a family visa before major changes in 2012. I also suggest against the skilled worker visa as it has work limitations. So your partner will be better off coming here under the family route. ILR possible only after 60 months
Leaving the country after the application submission
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2022 12:30 pm
by engrcj
Hi all, hope you are well.
Can I leave the country after submitting the application - without attending a biometric appointment so I will go on holiday for a month and attend the biometrics in January 2023?
FYI I was in the country in december 5 years ago
Your support will be greatly appreciated!
Re: Leaving the country after the application submission
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2022 12:38 pm
by CR001
engrcj wrote: ↑Fri Dec 16, 2022 12:30 pm
Hi all, hope you are well.
Can I leave the country after submitting the application - without attending a biometric appointment so I will go on holiday for a month and attend the biometrics in January 2023?
FYI I was in the country in december 5 years ago
Your support will be greatly appreciated!
After submitting what application??
This is a topic your started asking about partner ilr. If you are asking about your British citizenship application, please post your question in the correct sub forum, link below!!
british-citizenship/
Re: ILR as a spouse of a British citizen - 2 year route eligibility question
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2022 3:55 pm
by engrcj
My mistake! Apologies.