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ILR/British Citizenship for spouse

Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2024 3:06 pm
by dkmca80
Hi I am a British national since 2017 routed from India.
I married last year and my wife joined me here in Sep 2023 on dependent visa for 33 months given initially. she has passed A2 level English test from India.
I have couple of question below.
1. Can she have British passport directly through naturalization if yes after how many years?
2.Does she need another visa extension? can she use the same A2 certificate from India for English requirement?

Re: ILR/British Citizenship for spouse

Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2024 4:36 pm
by meself2
1) No. She needs ILR (for which she needs a B1 English test and LITUK passed, plus 60 months on spouse route).
2) One more extension (A2 will do), then ILR (for which B1 is needed)

Re: ILR/British Citizenship for spouse

Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2024 10:43 am
by dkmca80
Thanks for the reply. I have seen on UKBA website that British Citizen can get ILR in 3 years? whats that then? any idea?
https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-spouse

Re: ILR/British Citizenship for spouse

Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2024 11:03 am
by meself2
dkmca80 wrote:
Sun Mar 17, 2024 10:43 am
Thanks for the reply. I have seen on UKBA website that British Citizen can get ILR in 3 years? whats that then? any idea?
https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-spouse
That is citizenship, not ILR; you shouldn't confuse these two.

British spouses can get citizenship in 3 years, but you need ILR before applying for citizenship, which will take 5 years to obtain via spouse route.

Re: ILR/British Citizenship for spouse

Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2024 11:19 am
by alterhase58
The wording on the website isn't clear enough.
Spouse needs 5 years to gain ILR.
Once on ILR she could apply immediately as spouse of BC for which she has to prove 3 years of residency.
Common misunderstanding.