Citizenship for dependent?

[Ir0nMatt]

Hi all,

I have a bit of an odd question. Please bear with me whilst I explain: In March 2006, I moved to the UK with my unmarried partner of twelve years. I obtained a Work Permit visa, she came on a Work Permit Dependent visa.

In March 2008, when the initial visa was expiring, I switched to a Highly Skilled Migrant visa. Similarly, her Further Leave to Remain was granted as a Highly Skilled Migrant Programme Dependent.

Again, in March 2010, I obtained Further Leave to Remain under Tier 1 (General), and she became a Tier 1 (General) Dependent. Starting to see a pattern here?

On all three of these occasions, her Residence Permit clearly noted that her visa was that of a dependent.

In March 2011, I applied for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for myself, and for her -- again, as my dependent. Happily, our application was granted. However, I note that her new Residence Permit, like my own, simply listed the "Type of Permit" as "Settlement" and, under "Remarks", said "Indefinite leave to remain in the UK". Although her application had been made as my dependent, this time there was no specific mention of her status on the visa.

With that background, I can now pose the question: We would like to apply for her British citizenship now. More than one year has passed since we obtained ILR, so I think that she is eligible. We cannot apply for my own British citizenship now, as I have a driving conviction from 2009 and so I must wait for it to become "spent" in 2014 before I can apply. Previously, we had always made me the main applicant, with her as the dependent, because she was not eligible. As the person in the household with the PhD and the higher income, my eligibility was key to our visa applications. With British citizenship, though, I see no similar eligibility requirements.

So I am wondering: Is it possible for somebody who was granted ILR as a dependent to apply for British citizenship on her own merit?

Thank you very much, in advance, for your assistance with this matter.

Best wishes,
Matthew

[manoj123]

I am no immigration expert..but as far as I know,

1. As she has spent 5+yrs in the UK, she should be eligible directly.

2. There is no dependant status on ILR which means she can live in the UK on her own

[Ir0nMatt]

Excellent! That's what I thought... and nothing in the literature that I have ready (e.g., Booklet AN) has said anything to the contrary. But it is nice to have some confirmation.

Thank you!