Citizenship Application

[basis]

I completed 4 years in October 2004 and got ILR immediately. In Oct 2005 I completed 5 years continuously in the UK and till date I have been continuously staying in the UK - total absences till date 120 days and in last 12 months 10 days.

I would want to apply for BC in May 2005. I am planning to go out of the country for 6-7 months from July 2005.

1. Will my stay outside UK after I submit application affect the chance of me getting the BC ?

2. If I get approval within 5 months can I come back and complete the procedure ? How long the approval is valid once received from HO ? I'll give my friend's address to send back any commnunication.

[Joseph]

How can you have completed 5 years in October 2005 when we are now only in April 2005? At a minimum you have to wait until October 2005 and you have to be in the UK when you apply.
Joseph

[John]

Basis, you are overlooking an absolute rule. There is an absolute requirement for you to have been in the UK exactly five years before IND receive your naturalisation application.

So simple example, say IND were to receive your application on 16th May 2005 ... question .... were in physically in the UK on 16th May 2000? (Exactly 5 years earlier) The answer of course is no ... application would be refused.

If you arrived in October 2000 then clearly some date in October 2005 is your earliest possible application date.

Note : for the spouse of a British Citizen the same rule applies .... except delete five years .... insert three years.

I am planning to go out of the country for 6-7 months from July 2005.

Clearly such a plan will have a rather detrimental effect upon your possible naturalisation situation. And don't overlook the need to attend a Citizenship Ceremony within three months of being approved.

[basis]

Sorry for the mistake in previous post it should be

I completed 4 years in October 2003 and got ILR immediately. In Oct 2004 I completed 5 years continuously in the UK and till date I have been continuously staying in the UK - total absences till date 120 days and in last 12 months 10 days. I originally came to UK in Oct 1999 on WP then got ILR in Oct 2003.

I would want to apply for BC in May 2005. I am planning to go out of the country for 6-7 months from July 2005.

1. Will my stay outside UK after I submit application affect the chance of me getting the BC ?

2. If I get approval within 5 months can I come back and complete the procedure ? How long the approval is valid once received from HO

[John]

Basis, well that does rather change the situation, doesn't it! However still be careful ... look at your dates of absence from the UK ..... any dates in May 2000 listed there? If so do ensure that your were in the UK exactly five years earlier than IND will receive the application.

For example, say you were outside the UK from 8th to 15th May 2000. Do ensure that IND do not receive the application form during the period 8th to 15th May 2005.

Your questions :-

1. Not sure how IND would even know you are outside the UK
2. After getting your approval letter you must attend a Citizenship Ceremony within three months.

To speed the situation, why not use the checking service. You might get your approval through in a couple of weeks ... and have attended a Citizenship Ceremony by July 2005. No guarantees but it might work.

[Joseph]

As John said, this should not be a problem given your corrected dates. The most important thing is that you must be able to quickly respond to any enquiries they may make about your application and be able to come back to the UK to attend the ceremony in time. Will you have someone who can reliably monitor your post and telephone calls?

In this case, I think it may be advisable to use an immigration solicitor, who can send certified copies of your passport(s) so that you are not restricted from travel and also be the point of contact for all correspondence with the Home Office.

Joseph

[basis]

Thanks both for the replies.

I came in Oct 1999 and left UK for the first time in Jan 2001. Therefore, there should be no issue till Jan 2001 to apply.

One question I have is I am CA(Chartered Accountant) from India working here is Financial Advisor for a multi-national bank. Do I need take English language test. I have a certificate in English for the Final Examination passing.