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I am on a marriage visa and about to apply for ILR. Ive noticed that on the website it says that to apply for citizenship you have to be in the UK for 3 years. DOes this mean I need to apply for citizenship next year. Or how long can I live here on an ILR before HAVE to get Citizenship? And whats the difference between the 2 anyways?

Thanks,
Lily

ILR is indefinite.

There is no compulsion to apply for naturalisation.

happyratty wrote:I am on a marriage visa and about to apply for ILR. Ive noticed that on the website it says that to apply for citizenship you have to be in the UK for 3 years. DOes this mean I need to apply for citizenship next year. Or how long can I live here on an ILR before HAVE to get Citizenship? And whats the difference between the 2 anyways?

Thanks,
Lily

ILR is Indefinite Leave in the UK, but not British Citizen / Passport.

Citizenship is through naturalisation after ILR, and then you could apply for British Passport.

I guess ILR could be revoked if you remain outside the UK for 2 years or more... experts can confirm the precise timelines though.

ILR at present is at it implies...Indefinate. However, as you've been advised, if you were to leave the UK for more than 2 years, you'd lose your ILR.
At present, with ILR there is no obligation to apply for British Citizenship. However, when Probationary Citizenship replaces ILR in July 2011 (intended date), after 5 years on Probationary Citizenship you would be expected to apply for BC or leave the UK....unless exempt if your country of birth disallows dual citizenship.
If I'm wrong on the new regulations I'm sure someone will help me out here.

Casa wrote:ILR at present is at it implies...Indefinate. However, as you've been advised, if you were to leave the UK for more than 2 years, you'd lose your ILR.
At present, with ILR there is no obligation to apply for British Citizenship. However, when Probationary Citizenship replaces ILR in July 2011 (intended date), after 5 years on Probationary Citizenship you would be expected to apply for BC or leave the UK....unless exempt if your country of birth disallows dual citizenship.
If I'm wrong on the new regulations I'm sure someone will help me out here.

In which case I believe you wil have to apply for permanent residency.

That's my understand too DJB..thanks.

Casa wrote:ILR at present is at it implies...Indefinate. However, as you've been advised, if you were to leave the UK for more than 2 years, you'd lose your ILR.
At present, with ILR there is no obligation to apply for British Citizenship. However, when Probationary Citizenship replaces ILR in July 2011 (intended date), after 5 years on Probationary Citizenship you would be expected to apply for BC or leave the UK....unless exempt if your country of birth disallows dual citizenship.
If I'm wrong on the new regulations I'm sure someone will help me out here.

Is this applicable to All ILR's that are issued after this date or does this include ILR's issued before this date?