How do I choose which way my application is assessed

[fish n chips fan]

Hello,

I am trying to apply for British citizenship and I have been in the UK since 2008

I obtained ILR in 2018 and I then got married to a British citizen in 2020. Therefore, I understand I qualify in two ways: ILR route and British spouse route.

The government website says ‘If you’re eligible in more than one way you can choose which way to apply’ (see link below).

https://www.gov.uk/british-citizenship

Due to a lengthy period abroad supporting my family during Covid, I would be quite a bit over the 270 day absence allowance of the British spouse route (3 year period). However, I am within the 450 days absence allowance of the ILR route (5 year period),

Is my understanding correct that I can still use the ILR route (450 days over 5 year absence period), despite now being married to a British Citizen, and if so how do I make sure my application is assessed this way, as there doesn't seem to be an option to state 'which way' I wish to be considered.

Thanks

[alterhase58]

There’s no specific option to choose .
Basically you complete everything on the 5 year basis, which doesn’t require spouse documents.
You will still be asked about marital status so just fill in details. You may wish to add a covering note to explain, not essential.

[AmazonianX]

Hello,

I am trying to apply for British citizenship and I have been in the UK since 2008

I obtained ILR in 2018 and I then got married to a British citizen in 2020. Therefore, I understand I qualify in two ways: ILR route and British spouse route.

The government website says ‘If you’re eligible in more than one way you can choose which way to apply’ (see link below).

https://www.gov.uk/british-citizenship

Due to a lengthy period abroad supporting my family during Covid, I would be quite a bit over the 270 day absence allowance of the British spouse route (3 year period). However, I am within the 450 days absence allowance of the ILR route (5 year period),

Is my understanding correct that I can still use the ILR route (450 days over 5 year absence period), despite now being married to a British Citizen, and if so how do I make sure my application is assessed this way, as there doesn't seem to be an option to state 'which way' I wish to be considered. If you are using the 5year route, there won't be addition of your spouse's passport to the uploaded document. And as earlier answered by alterhase58, a cover note stating that yours is 5yr route will be helpful

Thanks

[fish n chips fan]

Thanks.

Could I ask, how do I go about uploading a covering note to the online application, it doesn't seem to have any upload options (just question boxes to fill in)? Is this before I pay and submit, or some stage after? If it's after payment & submission, is it on a different website/system?

[CR001]

You upload your supporting documents after you pay and submit online. You will be directed to the UKCVA website where you book your biometric appointment and upload your documents before the appointment date.