When can I apply for naturalization?

[bluesky1978]

I first went to the UK on Aug 2006 and got my ILR in Oct 2011 base on 5 years work permit. I am living outside the UK since I got my ILR. ILR is still valid since I went back the UK every two years. If I go back to stay for one year,when can I apply for naturalization?

[CR001]

Short visits to the UK does not maintain ILR. You have been lucky.

There are a number of things you will need to work out to see when you qualify for naturalisation.

1. The date when you apply - you must have been physically present in the UK on the corresponding date 5 years ago.

2. In the 5 years immediately preceding your application, you have not been absent for more than 450 days and in the 12 months immediately preceding your application not been absence for more than 90 days.

[bluesky1978]

Short visits to the UK does not maintain ILR. You have been lucky.

There are a number of things you will need to work out to see when you qualify for naturalisation.

1. The date when you apply - you must have been physically present in the UK on the corresponding date 5 years ago.

2. In the 5 years immediately preceding your application, you have not been absent for more than 450 days and in the 12 months immediately preceding your application not been absence for more than 90 days.

thank you for the prompt answer. You mean that I have to stay for 5 continuous years before I can apply. right?

[noajthan]

Short visits to the UK does not maintain ILR. You have been lucky.

There are a number of things you will need to work out to see when you qualify for naturalisation.

1. The date when you apply - you must have been physically present in the UK on the corresponding date 5 years ago.

2. In the 5 years immediately preceding your application, you have not been absent for more than 450 days and in the 12 months immediately preceding your application not been absence for more than 90 days.

thank you for the prompt answer. You mean that I have to stay for 5 continuous years before I can apply. right?

You can apply at any time but for a chance of success you need to meet the requirements, including 'physical presence in UK' & 'absences within limits' as explained above.

(Also needed: proof of English proficiency, LITUK, good character, referees, sound mind & etc).

You know your situation & timelines best so, based on above (& published HO guidance), you can assess your status.

[TheMouseReturns]

I first went to the UK on Aug 2006 and got my ILR in Oct 2011 base on 5 years work permit. I am living outside the UK since I got my ILR. ILR is still valid since I went back the UK every two years. If I go back to stay for one year,when can I apply for naturalization?

You probably don't have ILR based on what you said, if the system says you do then it's likely a mistake.

There's a reasonable chance the next time you attempt to enter the UK your record will be updated accordingly (if it hasn't been already). There's also a good chance in my opinion if you do "get in" with ILR that when you apply for naturalisation your application will be rejected as they check the last 10 years of immigration records under the good character requirements.