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Hi All, I hope a kind expert out there can help!

I am an EEA national, living in the UK continuously since Sep 2004 and fully employed for the whole period (with CSI). My american wife has been living with me since Sep 2008, and we got married in Aug 2011. She is currently on a EEA2 permit (since Sept 2011), having previously been in the UK on a student visa (Sep 2008-Sep 2009) and then on a Tier 1 post study work visa (Sep 2009-Sep 2011). As she has been living in the UK for nearly 6yrs, we are considering applying for an EEA4 permit for her so that she can obtain British citizenship in 1yrs time.

However, I am not sure if the 5yr residency requirement would be fulfilled in our case given that before 2011, she had been living in the uk but not as a family member of an EEA national? Also, do you reckon this is the fastest route to citizenship, or should I apply for British citizenship myself and then she would apply in turn as a family member? Ideally I would like to avoid the EEA rout if that means waiting until 2017!

I tried searching the forum for guidance but couldn't quite find a definitive answer. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Many thanks!

Even if you went spouse of british citizen, she can only apply for ILR is 5 years from date of new spouse visa. The costs with this route are high.

There is no quick and easy route. As she is on the EEA Family route, this would be the best one to stay on. It also cost substantially less and you don't need to meet the financial requirements of spouse of British citizen.

Thanks for your reply CR001 ! I didn't realize that the 5yr count would be reset. I agree, it seems to make sense for us to just continue down the EEA route then.