BC for Child on ILE.

[lznpde]

Hi,

I'm just starting to look into BC for my child age 12, he has recently joined me in the UK with ILE status.
As usual it's a bit of a minefield sifting through the information on the UKBA website, and it's taking a while for it all to sink in and so any kind pointers would be very much appreciated!

Here is mine and my child's status:

* I am a naturalised British Citizen.
* I was naturalised in 2008 via ILR route.
* I am single parent
* I am divorced and do not have contact with the other parent who I assume is still abroad.

* Child was granted ILE at his country's post the beginning of 2013.
* Child joined me in the UK shortly after being granted ILE.
* Child was born abroad.

I am trying to work out if my childs application will be at the HO discretion Section 3(1), or if we can apply under Section 3(5) after 3 years...

I assume the normal route would have been for me to apply my childs BC at the same time as mine in 2008 (Had the child been in the UK).

Is there a length of time my child should be in the UK before making any application??

Thanks for reading!!

[Jambo]

Have you read the FAQ before posting?

See Q1 & Q2 in Citizenship FAQs - Common Questions - Read before posting - children.


The child will need to apply under 3(1) which is at discretion. In the circumstances described, I would wait until the child completes 2 years of residence before applying.

[lznpde]

Hi, thanks for replying...

Yes I read the FAQ, but being a single parent I was wondering if anyone knew what the impact might be, for example from the FAQ...

the HO would expect that the other parent to hold (or to be close to holding) a ILR/PR status.

Also, out of interest why would you wait for 2 years of residence - one benefit I can see is that 2 years is likely to demonstrate that the child is more likely to reside here on a permanent basis. Is there any other reason?

I guess I need to start reading through Nationality Instructions in detail. I read everything very carefully when it came to applying for the ILE, and actually found the UKBA website very helpful, at least when it finally starts to sink into my head...

As always any pointers are much appreciated!

Best regards.

[Jambo]

Q1 in the FAQ has a pointer for further reading. Just click on the link.

I said 2 years as this is what is expected from a child over 13 who was born abroad. I believe the HO would expect him to live in the UK for a while before applying (showing his future lies in the UK) and as he is close to 13, I would wait 2 years.

[lznpde]

Hmm yeah I read about the 2 years if 13 years or older.. I guess that makes sense, and I'm not in any particular rush to get this applied for...

The link on Q1 is very informative (http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... iew=Binary)

I believe the following point answers my single parent question:

9.17.10 If the parents have divorced or separated and the child does not have ongoing contact with the other parent (even if he or she shares
parental responsibility for the child) we would normally expect that:

• the parent having the day-to-day responsibility for the child is, or is
about to become, a British citizen;

Thanks again.