Advice needed for ILR to citizen plan

[ben2019]

Hi all,

I would like to hear people’s advice whether I can apply for the citizenship. I am in a dilemma now. I studied and worked in uk for a while and in theory I can apply for the ilr September 2020. After studying the requirements, I think I should be able to get it without problem. Now the problem is I am thinking to do a degree course, probably starting in 2021. And it is more likely I will go to another country to do it as uk government has restrictions about foreign students admitted (medicine) and it is more likely I can get a place in another country, although I will still try to apply to the uk universities. If in the end I will go to another country, it will start in late July 2021.

I know 12 months are needed from ilr to citizenship. Can I just come back in September 2021 to do all the paper work for the application and ceremony later if successful. I am not sure if this is a problem or not as I intend to live and work in uk after the course, which is 4 years.

If this route is not reasonable and I may have to start everything again, then I may choose to apply to the degree course now as the ilr seems not very useful as well.

I am struggling with this issue and would love to hear everyone’s opinion. Thank you so much!