Three years spouse route with own ILR

[UKdecemer]

Dear All,

Hope some of you experts can help us.

I'm a British citizen for last 4 years and this quesation is about my wife's naturalization.

She has been granted 30 month Spouse/Partenr leave to remain with my ILR in 2018 but when she renewed her visa she applied SET (LR) with her own 10 years rute in 2020 insted of my dependent.

Now the question is, can she apply for citizenship as a spouse to British citizen after 3 years OR does she has to wait five years with her own ILR.

Thank you in advance.

[alterhase58]

It takes five years minimum to obtain ILR, irrespective of marital status.
For naturalisation, If spouse of a British citizen, only three years of residency proof is needed.
Spouse can apply immediately after being granted ILR.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... n-guidance

[contorted_svy]

It takes five years minimum to obtain ILR, irrespective of marital status.
For naturalisation, If spouse of a British citizen, only three years of residency proof is needed.
Spouse can apply immediately after being granted ILR.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... n-guidance

Not entirely true, I believe some routes grant you ILR quicker (I think GTV).

OP's wife needs to secure her own ILR before being eligible for applying - will only need to prove 3 years of residence.

[UKdecemer]

Thank you Both,

Just to understand, Regardless what route you get your ILR - is it eligible to aplly for citizenship after 12 moths of ILR?

[CR001]

You route to ILR is completely irrelevant to a citizenship application, for everyone.

If you are NOT married to a British citizen, you have to wait 12 months on ILR and your application is based on 5 years residence.

If you ARE married to a British citizen, you can apply for citizen immediately once you get ILR (provided you meet the requirments) and this is based on 3 years residence.

when she renewed her visa she applied SET (LR) with her own 10 years rute in 2020 insted of my dependent.

This is confusing. SET(LR) is not a 'visa renewal'. So if she got ILR in 2020, she could have applied for citizenship immediately if you were British at that time.

Now the question is, can she apply for citizenship as a spouse to British citizen after 3 years OR does she has to wait five years with her own ILR.

I am not sure what you mean with this statement. Do you believe she needs 3 years or 5 years on ILR first?? This would be wholly incorrect.

[UKdecemer]

Many Thanks CR001.