Does time on TWES count for naturalisation 5 year period?

[eeckard]

My story is as follows:

TWES - granted on 4 July 1999 for 2 years
WP granted 5 April 2001
ILR granted 8 March 2005

I want to apply at the NCS on 8 March 2006 for naturalisation, I would comply with all the rules (being in the country, 1 year on ILR etc.) however for the period 8 March 2001 until 5 April 2001 I was on a TWES visa. Does this count for the 4 years +1 year ILR or must I wait another month until 5 April 2006 to apply.

The reason for this one month mess is because you are allowed to apply for ILR 28 days early before 4 years (on WP) is up and this is what I did.

Comments welcome as I am sure there are a few other people with the same query...

[tvt]

It would count as for naturalisation it does not matter whether your residence was in a category that led to settlement or not. You still need to satisfy the 1 year ILR rule.

[John]

Eeckard, I agree with tvt, why you were legally in the UK does not matter ... any type of visa could count. You just need to ensure that at all times when in the UK in the five year qualifying period you were here legally .... and of course have ILR for at least one year.

I want to apply at the NCS on 8 March 2006 for naturalisation

So if you do that IND in Liverpool should receive the application on say 9th March. Accordingly your five-year qualifying period is from 10.03.01 to 09.03.06. Which begs the question ..... and this is very important .... were you physically in the UK on 10.03.01? If not then you cannot apply on your intended date.

I ask this because although you say "TWES - granted on 4 July 1999 for 2 years", that in itself does not give us a guarantee you were here in the UK on 10th March 2001. For example, you might have been outside the UK on a short holiday.

If you were out of the UK on 10.03.01, when did you next return to the UK?

You have passed the Citizenship Test?

[eeckard]

Thanks John and TVT. I have been here in the UK all that time with normal absences due to holidays (but not outside the allocated days as prescribed in the rules).

Also John, I was in the uk throughout March 2001 and legally here all this time.

Many thanks both for the replies. This site has helped me through TWES, WP and ILR, only BC awaits. Many thanks everyone that contributes!

[John]

Hope it all works out! Have you already passed the Citizenship Test?

[eeckard]

Not yet John, but have booked a spot and writing it a few days before going to NCS. Studying hard right now!