Naturalisation application with 9 months of permanent residence

[ionutiliescu]

Hi all,

I am an EU citizen and have been in the UK since September 2012. I've had my permanent residence since September 2017 and I am planning to apply for citizenship by naturalisation.

Besides the Life in the UK test, I am currently ticking all the requirements in the application. The only one I am doubtful about is the time since I've had my permanent residence.

Does anybody know if the Home Office is lenient when it comes to that?

I want to apply as soon as possible just to get it out of the way. Should I wait for September or send the application when ready?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ionut

[CR001]

You need the full 12 months holding PR, there is no "leniency". The only exception is if you are married to a British citizen, then you do not have to wait.

Do you meet the English B1 requirement?? This is in addition to the life in the UK test.

[ionutiliescu]

Thanks for the response.

I have a bachelors degree from a UK university. From what I've read that would cover the English requirement, is that right?

[CR001]

I have a bachelors degree from a UK university. From what I've read that would cover the English requirement, is that right?

Correct.

[it91]

Actually according to the guidance, as long as you spent 6 years in this country you can immediately appply to your permanent residence document.

"Annex A: Applicants who wish to apply for British citizenship
If you wish to apply for British citizenship immediately after obtaining your permanent residence document, and you are not the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen, you should make sure that you provide evidence covering a continuous period of residence of at least 6 years."

It might be helpful?

[CR001]

Actually according to the guidance, as long as you spent 6 years in this country you can immediately appply to your permanent residence document.

"Annex A: Applicants who wish to apply for British citizenship
If you wish to apply for British citizenship immediately after obtaining your permanent residence document, and you are not the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen, you should make sure that you provide evidence covering a continuous period of residence of at least 6 years."

It might be helpful?

Wrong to a certain extent. Just living in the UK is not sufficient. You MUST have held PR/ILR for the 12 months if not married to a British citizen.

Citizenship is also based on the most recent 5 years counting backwards from the date of application.

[it91]

Thanks,
But according to the Guidance Version 3, page 5 of 40, it is possible. Maybe the rules have changed? Or I mighr have understood it wrong? I am bit confused now.

[CR001]

Thanks,
But according to the Guidance Version 3, page 5 of 40, it is possible. Maybe the rules have changed? Or I mighr have understood it wrong? I am bit confused now.

You have misunderstood. No rules have changed.

It is usually 6 years of residence AND must include holding PR or ILR for 12 months. It is an "and" not an "or"!

For example, you need 5 years residence to qualify for PR and ILR, plus 12 months on either before you can apply for citizenship. PR and ILR is valid from the date attained (PR) or granted/approved (ILR).

[it91]

So, just to clarify my situation:

I didn't apply my permanent residence after 5 year, I did after 6 years. Because I didn't have time to do it right after completing my 5 years and simply postponed it one year.

Then, if you apply for your permanent residence after 6 yrs of residence, instead of 5, and after getting the permanent residence , you still need to hold it for at least 12 months to apply for citizenship, which makes it to 7 years.

So you definitely cannot apply straight ahead in your 7th year, as you didn't hold permanent BRP?

Thanks

[CR001]

So, just to clarify my situation:

I didn't apply my permanent residence after 5 year, I did after 6 years. Because I didn't have time to do it right after completing my 5 years and simply postponed it one year.

Then, if you apply for your permanent residence after 6 yrs of residence, instead of 5, and after getting the permanent residence , you still need to hold it for at least 12 months to apply for citizenship, which makes it to 7 years.

So you definitely cannot apply straight ahead in your 7th year, as you didn't hold permanent BRP?

Thanks

It depends on what date the letter you would have got says that you attained PR. This will be an earlier date than the PR card!!