Eligibility for nationality

[BravoCharlie2]

Dear moderators,

I am planning to apply for British Citizenship early next year and will appreciate your help with the following query:

I currently have ILR and my spouse and children (born outside the UK) are on GTV dependent visas which are valid until 16/11/2025. I understand that I will become eligible for British Citizenship on 14/01/2026 (5 years after first arrival in the UK). For my dependents, my understanding is that my children will also become eligible for British Citizenship on 14/01/2026 (as they will have lived in the UK for 5 years), however, they will need to apply for ILR first when they become eligible for it on 29/09/2025 (28 days minus 5 years of the first visa stamp date).

1. Is my understanding correct?
2. Is my spouse's route to citizenship similar to that of my children?
3. Hypothetically, if my dependents GTV was valid beyond my citizenship eligibility date, would they be able to skip applying for ILR and directly apply for British citizenship after completing 5 years in the UK based on my British Citizenship status?

Our timeline is given below:

UK Skilled Worker (Tier 2) visa stamped on passport: 27/10/2020
First entered the UK: 13/01/2021
Extended for 2 years under GTV on: 16/11/2023
Main applicant got ILR on: 18/03/2024

Thanks in advance.

[contorted_svy]

Where were children born? I assume abroad as you mention a date of entry. If that is the case they need to secure ILR before becoming eligible for MN1 registration under Section 3(1).

Dear moderators,

I am planning to apply for British Citizenship early next year and will appreciate your help with the following query:

I currently have ILR and my spouse and children (born outside the UK) are on GTV dependent visas which are valid until 16/11/2025. I understand that I will become eligible for British Citizenship on 14/01/2026 (5 years after first arrival in the UK). correct For my dependents, my understanding is that my children will also become eligible for British Citizenship on 14/01/2026 (as they will have lived in the UK for 5 years), requirement for children doesn't have the same residency requirements as for adults however, they will need to apply for ILR first when they become eligible for it on 29/09/2025 (28 days minus 5 years of the first visa stamp date).

1. Is my understanding correct?
2. Is my spouse's route to citizenship similar to that of my children? Your spouse needs t secure ILR when she is eligible then she can apply as spouse of BC
3. Hypothetically, if my dependents GTV was valid beyond my citizenship eligibility date, would they be able to skip applying for ILR and directly apply for British citizenship after completing 5 years in the UK based on my British Citizenship status?

Our timeline is given below:

UK Skilled Worker (Tier 2) visa stamped on passport: 27/10/2020
First entered the UK: 13/01/2021
Extended for 2 years under GTV on: 16/11/2023
Main applicant got ILR on: 18/03/2024

Thanks in advance.

[alterhase58]

Dear moderators,

I am planning to apply for British Citizenship early next year and will appreciate your help with the following query:

I currently have ILR and my spouse and children (born outside the UK) are on GTV dependent visas which are valid until 16/11/2025. I understand that I will become eligible for British Citizenship on 14/01/2026 (5 years after first arrival in the UK). For my dependents, my understanding is that my children will also become eligible for British Citizenship on 14/01/2026 (as they will have lived in the UK for 5 years), however, they will need to apply for ILR first when they become eligible for it on 29/09/2025 (28 days minus 5 years of the first visa stamp date).

1. Is my understanding correct? Not quite.
2. Is my spouse's route to citizenship similar to that of my children? No - adults naturalise (form AN), children get registered as British (MN1). Separate applications.
3. Hypothetically, if my dependents GTV was valid beyond my citizenship eligibility date, would they be able to skip applying for ILR and directly apply for British citizenship after completing 5 years in the UK based on my British Citizenship status? Children born outside the UK are expected to hold ILR - they can't skip the requirement. 5 years residency is not relevant for children (is a naturalisation requirement).

Our timeline is given below:

UK Skilled Worker (Tier 2) visa stamped on passport: 27/10/2020
First entered the UK: 13/01/2021
Extended for 2 years under GTV on: 16/11/2023
Main applicant got ILR on: 18/03/2024

Thanks in advance.

[alterhase58]

Dear moderators,

I am planning to apply for British Citizenship early next year and will appreciate your help with the following query:

I currently have ILR and my spouse and children (born outside the UK) are on GTV dependent visas which are valid until 16/11/2025. I understand that I will become eligible for British Citizenship on 14/01/2026 (5 years after first arrival in the UK). For my dependents, my understanding is that my children will also become eligible for British Citizenship on 14/01/2026 (as they will have lived in the UK for 5 years), however, they will need to apply for ILR first when they become eligible for it on 29/09/2025 (28 days minus 5 years of the first visa stamp date).

1. Is my understanding correct? Not quite.
2. Is my spouse's route to citizenship similar to that of my children? No - adults naturalise (form AN), children get registered as British (MN1). Separate applications.
3. Hypothetically, if my dependents GTV was valid beyond my citizenship eligibility date, would they be able to skip applying for ILR and directly apply for British citizenship after completing 5 years in the UK based on my British Citizenship status? Children born outside the UK are expected to hold ILR - they can't skip the requirement. 5 years residency is not relevant for children (is a naturalisation requirement).

Our timeline is given below:

UK Skilled Worker (Tier 2) visa stamped on passport: 27/10/2020
First entered the UK: 13/01/2021
Extended for 2 years under GTV on: 16/11/2023
Main applicant got ILR on: 18/03/2024

Thanks in advance.

Thanks contorted_svy

[secret.simon]

Assuming that the children are born abroad, they follow the same immigration pathway as the second/*less*-privileged parent.

For them to register as a British citizen, it is expected that at least one parent has or is applying for British citizenship AND both the child and the other parent must have ILR.

Merely your having British citizenship does not give the children any advantage towards registering as British citizens. Both the children and the other parent need to meet requirements as well.

[BravoCharlie2]

Thanks everyone for the detailed guidance on this. It's very helpful.