ILR to Naturalisation

[shan1403]

Hello Everyone,

First of all, thank you for this forum. It is a wonderful place to get authentic responses to immigration queries.

May I please ask how soon my partner and children (dependent and 18+) can apply for Naturalisation once they have their ILR and I have my B. Passport?

Thank you for your support.
Cheers

[CR001]

If you are British and your spouse meets the 3 year requirements, they can apply as soon as they have ILR.

Any children who are 18 and older have to wait 1 year on ILR.

Children under 18 can apply when your spouse does.

[shan1403]

Hi CR001,

Thank you. It is always good to see your replies.

Could you kindly provide some clarity on these 3-year requirements? What are the specific requirements a spouse needs to meet?

Also, my 5 years were completed in Jun this year (got my ILR two years back after 3 years on GTV). Do I have to wait another full year (5+1 years) to apply for naturalisation?

Thanks again.

If you are British and your spouse meets the 3 year requirements, they can apply as soon as they have ILR.

Any children who are 18 and older have to wait 1 year on ILR.

Children under 18 can apply when your spouse does.

[contorted_svy]

Up to 270 days of absence in 3 years for spouses. You can apply if you had 1 year on ILR and 5 years of residence (regardless of path to ILR).

[shan1403]

Hi,

Thanks a million for your prompt response.

I had my ILR on 13.6.2022 after 3 years GTV. My 5 years completed in Jun 2024. Based on your answer (and if my understanding is correct), do I still have to wait until Jun 2025 or I can apply for Naturalisation?

Thanks again

Up to 270 days of absence in 3 years for spouses. You can apply if you had 1 year on ILR and 5 years of residence (regardless of path to ILR).

[contorted_svy]

You have been resident for 5 years and have had your ILR for more than two years so you don't have to wait any longer. It is 5 years residence AND 1 year ILR, not necessarily summed. I had to wait 1 year after having completed 5 years of residence as my path to ILR was through EUSS which requires 5 years of residence to obtain ILR, then I had to wait 1 more year to have 1 year on ILR. You obtained ILR quicker therefore you needed to complete your 5 years residence to become eligible.

[shan1403]

Thanks a million for your prompt response

Before my ILR I was on GTV. I got my eVisa now because of the BRP expiry end of December this year. Unfortunately, the eVisa shows GTV status instead of ILR. I phoned Home Office earlier (when I changed to eVisa) and they said that we are trying to fix these errors. The RTW check always return my ILR status but eVisa is showing the GTV status. I will be applying for Naturalisation next year Feb/Mar, do I need to get this fixed? Someone told me that I must get it fixed before 31/12/2024.

Please advise.

Thanks again

You have been resident for 5 years and have had your ILR for more than two years so you don't have to wait any longer. It is 5 years residence AND 1 year ILR, not necessarily summed. I had to wait 1 year after having completed 5 years of residence as my path to ILR was through EUSS which requires 5 years of residence to obtain ILR, then I had to wait 1 more year to have 1 year on ILR. You obtained ILR quicker therefore you needed to complete your 5 years residence to become eligible.

[contorted_svy]

Do you have a letter that shows you obtained ILR? UKVI will accept that as proof of ILR. Missing that apply for a SAR. Who told you you need to get it fixed by Dec? These errors are now well known and you are shown as having some form of leave to remain - if you are going for naturalisation next year probably not worth the trouble to get it corrected. Also unclear to me why you want to wait to apply unless you are travelling or above the 90 days absence limit in the last year.

[shan1403]

Thank you for your prompt replies. Much appreciated.

The delay in Naturalisation was only because of some finances. The ILR application costs a lot for a full family and that's why I delayed my naturalisation to get this done and then go for my naturalisation.

I have the ILR decision letter if this is enough to provide any evidence.

Thanks

Do you have a letter that shows you obtained ILR? UKVI will accept that as proof of ILR. Missing that apply for a SAR. Who told you you need to get it fixed by Dec? These errors are now well known and you are shown as having some form of leave to remain - if you are going for naturalisation next year probably not worth the trouble to get it corrected. Also unclear to me why you want to wait to apply unless you are travelling or above the 90 days absence limit in the last year.

[contorted_svy]

Thank you for your prompt replies. Much appreciated.

The delay in Naturalisation was only because of some finances. The ILR application costs a lot for a full family and that's why I delayed my naturalisation to get this done and then go for my naturalisation.

I have the ILR decision letter if this is enough to provide any evidence.

Thanks

Do you have a letter that shows you obtained ILR? UKVI will accept that as proof of ILR. Missing that apply for a SAR. Who told you you need to get it fixed by Dec? These errors are now well known and you are shown as having some form of leave to remain - if you are going for naturalisation next year probably not worth the trouble to get it corrected. Also unclear to me why you want to wait to apply unless you are travelling or above the 90 days absence limit in the last year.

ILR Letter and ILR BRP will be all you need to prove you have ILR. No need to worry about what your eVisa account says. You can save up and apply as soon as you have all the fees. Remember to check all other requirements too.

[shan1403]

Thanks a million for your prompt responses.

May I please ask about employment records and gaps?

• I was working full-time for employer-1 from Dec 2019 to Jul 2021. I also had a part-time job from employer-2 from Apr-2021 which was then changed to a full-time job in Mar 2022 (same employer-2). I am still working on this job. I also have a few part-time consultancies.

• My question is, do I need to mention all of my employment + consultancy details or should I only mention the main job details? If I skip my part-time period then there will be a gap in employment from Jul 2021 to Mar 2022. Would that harm my application or raise questions/doubts/confusion if I mention full-time and part-time? Or is it OK to stick to the main employment details?

Apologies if I sound confused because I am.

Thanks again.

Thank you for your prompt replies. Much appreciated.

The delay in Naturalisation was only because of some finances. The ILR application costs a lot for a full family and that's why I delayed my naturalisation to get this done and then go for my naturalisation.

I have the ILR decision letter if this is enough to provide any evidence.

Thanks

Do you have a letter that shows you obtained ILR? UKVI will accept that as proof of ILR. Missing that apply for a SAR. Who told you you need to get it fixed by Dec? These errors are now well known and you are shown as having some form of leave to remain - if you are going for naturalisation next year probably not worth the trouble to get it corrected. Also unclear to me why you want to wait to apply unless you are travelling or above the 90 days absence limit in the last year.

ILR Letter and ILR BRP will be all you need to prove you have ILR. No need to worry about what your eVisa account says. You can save up and apply as soon as you have all the fees. Remember to check all other requirements too.

[alterhase58]

Employment record is not required, also employment as such is not a requirement. Students, pensioners and others not employed can and do apply. You will only be asked for your current employer, if any.

[shan1403]

Thank you for your response.

Could you please tell me how much (current) Passport Validity is required to apply for Naturalisation?

Thanks again.

Employment record is not required, also employment as such is not a requirement. Students, pensioners and others not employed can and do apply. You will only be asked for your current employer, if any.

[alterhase58]

There's no minimum passport validity required.
If your current passport is expired you will need to produce documents confirming residency, for the period since passport expired, such as P60s or Council Tax (not statements or utility bills).

[shan1403]

Thanks again.

My family's Passport already expired and we are waiting for the renewed passports to arrive from our home country. However, there is political unrest and we fear delay. They need to apply for ILR after 31/12/2024.

I was thinking of applying for Naturalisation after that and my PP will be expiring in 03/2025. I can provide P60 or Council Tax letters but my family members are not working so what evidence they should provide?

Thanks again

There's no minimum passport validity required.
If your current passport is expired you will need to produce documents confirming residency, for the period since passport expired, such as P60s or Council Tax (not statements or utility bills).

[contorted_svy]

When do their passports expire? If there will be a significant time not covered by their stamped passports they can request a SAR for free. If your passport gets stamped you don't need to provide extra evidence, just all scanned pages of your passport. Same for your family. If not, provide P60s or copy of a SAR.

[shan1403]

Thank you for your prompt response.

I am sorry I didn't get half of the message.

• Two of my Children's (over 18) passports already expired. My Spouse's passport will expire in March 2025 and this is the same time mine will expire as well.

• I've no idea what SAR stands for and how to apply for this. Could you kindly explain a little further

• There is nothing stamped on their passport like a Visa or anything. What do you mean by significant time not covered by stamped passports?

Thanks again

When do their passports expire? If there will be a significant time not covered by their stamped passports they can request a SAR for free. If your passport gets stamped you don't need to provide extra evidence, just all scanned pages of your passport. Same for your family. If not, provide P60s or copy of a SAR.

[contorted_svy]

SAR stands for Subject Access Request.
If your passports don't get stamped at the border when exiting/re entering you can use a SAR with the border office to prove your/our family residence in the UK. See information here https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... mmigration

Keep in mind that your children as they are over 18 will need to wait for a year after they received their ILR to be eligible for naturalisation. Of course until they don't have a valid passport they won't be able to travel.

[shan1403]

Thank you once again for your prompt response.

This means, if the passports are stamped at exit/entry I can use these to submit the ILR application even if the Passports are expired. Is this the right understanding?

Thanks again.

SAR stands for Subject Access Request.
If your passports don't get stamped at the border when exiting/re entering you can use a SAR with the border office to prove your/our family residence in the UK. See information here https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... mmigration

Keep in mind that your children as they are over 18 will need to wait for a year after they received their ILR to be eligible for naturalisation. Of course until they don't have a valid passport they won't be able to travel.

[contorted_svy]

I can't comment for ILR - my answer applies to naturalisation for sure. However as I stated if there is a significant time period that isn't covered by the passport validity (eg 2 months upwards) to request a SAR to integrate the time period missing on the expired passport.