UPV and Naturalisation

[Wanderer]

Scenario;

GF here on three year student visa, had three months here shortly before on another student visa.

Current visa expires Oct 2008, we're thinking PSW visa for another two years. So, assuming we go for PSW visa, then two years UPV, what the score with ILR/naturalisation?

Can we apply for ILR/BC at the same time (after selling all four of our kidneys), based on one year previous legal stay?

We can't for for UPV now cos she had a full year abroad in 2007 for her degree which buggered that up.

Thinking about it, we could apply for UPV after one year of PSW thereby saving a year. Of course we could get married but we are of the not-marrying-for-visa school.

In the back of my mind ISTR UPV holders have to wait five years for BC - is that a trick if my mind?

Here's her timeline visa-wise...

Jul 2004 - Sept 2004 - Student Visa
Jun 2005 - Oct 2008 - Student Visa, Nov 2006 - Oct 2007 on placement in Germany

[sakura]

Only spouses/civil partners of British citizens can forego the 12 months on ILR. If she is an unmarried partner, then she would need to complete the 12 (or more?) months on ILR.

[Wanderer]

Cheers Sakura, I knew there was a twist!

[sakura]

Just to add that if/when you do marry, she can send an application form for naturalisation immediately - she doesn't need to complete the 12 months, as she would now be the spouse of a British citizen.

[Wanderer]

Cheers!

Biggest job is convincing her it's not 'diluting' her current nationality by taking another, although I think it is actually! Russians are very proud people, gordo i svobodnyi or whatever it is in Russian Language...