Post
by secret.simon » Wed May 17, 2023 8:24 am
There are at least three time-based requirements when it comes to applying for naturalisation as a British citizen.
(a) absences of less than 450 days in the five years immediately preceding the date of application;
(b) absences of less than 90 days in the year immediately preceding the date of application; and
(c) physical presence in the UK at the start of the five year period. So, if you were to apply today, you'd have to prove that you were in the UK on 18th May 2018.
Discretion can be used to disregard one of the requirements for naturalisation. Based on your dates, you fail to meet at least two requirements above.
You'd want to spend a substantial period of time in the UK with no absences to get your five year absences down. Once your five year and one year absences meet the requirement, and you meet all other requirements without discretion, you can apply for naturalisation requesting discretion to disregard the physical presence requirement.
And, as alterhase58 has mentioned above, you don't get to choose the residence period.
Based on your flag, a Commonwealth citizen with ILR has almost all the same rights as a British citizen in the UK, so you should not be too inconvenienced. Any children born to you in the UK will be British citizens from birth, you have the right to vote and even to run for elected office, you can sponsor your foreign spouse and any foreign born children on the same terms as British citizens, etc.
I am not a lawyer or immigration advisor. My statements/comments do not constitute legal advice. E&OE. Please do not PM me for advice.
