Spouse leave to remain to expire

[cobrien]

Hello,
I was granted spouse leave to remain in May 2012. It expires in May 2014. What do I do next? Can I apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain or do I have to apply to the 5 year (2.5 + 2.5 years) leave to remain first? My goal is to get my British Citizenship.

Thanks

[CR001]

ILR on Set(M) form, you can apply no sooner than 28 days before visa expires and can apply by post or in person at a PEO.

once you have been resident for exactly 3 years, you can apply for citizenship as spouse of BC if your spouse is a British Citizen.

[Amber]

I'm not quite sure what you mean by, 'my goal is to get citizenship'? I don't mean to be rude but are you trying to say your relationship is a sham?

[cobrien]

I am so sorry if i made it sound like my marriage is a sham, it definitely is not! I want to get citizenship so that I can have dual citizenship, we plan to live in the uk permanently but travel a lot to canada as that is where I am from. I just thought it would make travelling a bit easier and when we have kids they can have dual citizenship.
Thanks for your help!

[cobrien]

ILR on Set(M) form, you can apply no sooner than 28 days before visa expires and can apply by post or in person at a PEO.

once you have been resident for exactly 3 years, you can apply for citizenship as spouse of BC if your spouse is a British Citizen.

Thanks CR001. I have been living in the UK for almost 3 and a half years now and have been married for almost 2 of those years to a British citizen. Does the 3 years start from when i arrived in the uk, when i got married, or when i get ILR?

[vinny]

Normally, arrival date may be counted. The start date depends on when the application for naturalisation is made. It starts 3 years prior to the date of application.

[Amber]

I send my apology if I caused any offence, I did say I didn't mean to be rude, just I'm vehemently against any sham marriages. Just make sure you were physically present in the UK, 3 years before the Home Office receives your naturalisation application. Use the Nationality Checking Service.

[cobrien]

Thanks for all your help. I am sorry to seem so daft..but can I apply for citizenship straight from spouse leave to remain or do I need to have ILR first?

[Amber]

ILR first.