when to apply for Naturalization

[emma22]

Hello all

I just got my ILR 2 weeks ago. I applied as a the partner of a British citizen to get my ILR. The 5 years route. I am not married to my partner but we have been together for almost 2 decades. My question is this
Do I need to wait for I year to apply for naturalization OR do we need to get marry first before I can apply.

[secret.simon]

Do I need to wait for I year to apply for naturalization OR do we need to get marry first before I can apply.

You can do either.

You can either wait for a year after the date of being granted ILR OR you can apply for naturalisation immediately after being married to a British citizen (assuming that you meet the relevant physical presence and absence requirements).

[emma22]

Do I need to wait for I year to apply for naturalization OR do we need to get marry first before I can apply.

You can do either.

You can either wait for a year after the date of being granted ILR OR you can apply for naturalisation immediately after being married to a British citizen (assuming that you meet the relevant physical presence and absence requirements).

Thank you for your reply. I have not travel for the past 5 years. What do you mean by physical presence?

[alterhase58]

On the date when you apply, five years back, you need to have been in the UK, i.e. physically present, not absent from the UK.

[secret.simon]

To expand on @alterhase58's response, in addition to the absence requirements for either the normal route or the spousal route, you also need to have been physically present in the UK exactly five years before the date of application for naturalisation (normal route) or exactly three years before the date of application (spousal route).

[emma22]

On the date when you apply, five years back, you need to have been in the UK, i.e. physically present, not absent from the UK.

Thanks for your reply. Yes I physically present in the UK.

[emma22]

To expand on @alterhase58's response, in addition to the absence requirements for either the normal route or the spousal route, you also need to have been physically present in the UK exactly five years before the date of application for naturalisation (normal route) or exactly three years before the date of application (spousal route).

Thanks for your reply I appreciate

[emma22]

To expand on @alterhase58's response, in addition to the absence requirements for either the normal route or the spousal route, you also need to have been physically present in the UK exactly five years before the date of application for naturalisation (normal route) or exactly three years before the date of application (spousal route).

Thanks for your reply I appreciate