Naturalization case (absent more than the required days)

[Ponpete]

My husband has lived in the UK for 11 years since August 2002. First on the ancestry visas,and since 2007 - on ILR. In 2008 he spent 16 months in another country (from April 2008 to August 2009 with occasional short trips back to the UK) and then in 2010 he spent another 13 months in a third country (from August 2010 to September 2011). Besides those periods, he continuously lived in the UK. Does he now qualify for naturalization?

[Ponpete]

The requirement is not spent more than 450 days outside the UK during the five-year period but in this case, could the first 5 years (from 2002 to 2007) be the 5-year qualifying period because he didn't spend any time outside the UK during the first 5 years (except for occasional holidays)?

[geriatrix]

The qualifying residential period is 3/5 years preceding the naturalisation application.
See also Annex B: The residence requirements

Are you a British citizen?

[Ponpete]

No, I am not. I was his dependent and moved into the country 2 years ago on a spouse visa and just got my ILR now. So he cannot apply for naturalization for another 3 years then? Same applies to me, right?