What options do I have for ILR/citizenship? I have a Tier 2

Hi everyone, I've been frequenting this board for a little while now and am grateful for a community that answers so many questions.

I'm interested if anyone has any thoughts or advice on my current situation.

I've been living in the UK for 5 years (since 2010) however 3 of those years were under student/PSW visas, meaning that I can't apply for ILR yet. I'm currently under a Tier 2 visa. I have 4 more years until I can apply for citizenship. I'm trying to see if there are other avenues. I am from the US.

So basically, I've been in a relationship with an Irishman (Republic of Ireland) for 4 years. We've been living together for 2. As he is an EU citizen I believe I'm able to apply for an unmarried partners visa (if that is incorrect, please do tell!). If I apply for that visa, I would have the option of a work permit. However, does going under this visa shorten time for ILR/the path the citizenship? Or does it completely restart the 5 year time period (only with the benefit of having a work permit)?

If we were married, would that make things easier? I find the phrasing on the Home Office site a little confusing as it refers British citizens, but not necessarily what would happen under EU marriages. He appears to have the option of becoming a 'British Subject' but I don't know if that's beneficial in any way.

Any thoughts or advice on what avenues I might have with these details would be wonderful.

PS - from experience, what advisors are good to use for visas? Low price and reliability are important.

Thanks!

All routes to ILR (UK immigration) or Permanent residency (EEA Route) are 5 years. If you switch to EEA route, your clock to PR (ILR) will restart.

You need PR/ILR for 12 months to qualify for Citizenship (unless married to a British Citizen)

There is no quick and cheap route. If you wait 3 years on Tier 2 General, then you will qualify for ILR in 2018 and citizenship in 2019, provided you meet all the standard requirements.

CR001 wrote:All routes to ILR (UK immigration) or Permanent residency (EEA Route) are 5 years. If you switch to EEA route, your clock to PR (ILR) will restart.

You need PR/ILR for 12 months to qualify for Citizenship (unless married to a British Citizen)

There is no quick and cheap route. If you wait 3 years on Tier 2 General, then you will qualify for ILR in 2018 and citizenship in 2019, provided you meet all the standard requirements.

@CR001 Char, would the clock have been re-set to zero when the OP switched from Student/PSW to Tier 2 General? i.e only combined if applying for ILR under 10 year residence?

Casa wrote:

CR001 wrote:All routes to ILR (UK immigration) or Permanent residency (EEA Route) are 5 years. If you switch to EEA route, your clock to PR (ILR) will restart.

You need PR/ILR for 12 months to qualify for Citizenship (unless married to a British Citizen)

There is no quick and cheap route. If you wait 3 years on Tier 2 General, then you will qualify for ILR in 2018 and citizenship in 2019, provided you meet all the standard requirements.

@CR001 Char, would the clock have been re-set to zero when the OP switched from Student/PSW to Tier 2 General?

@Casa, yes for ILR based on 5 years residence as PSW and Tier 4 don't lead to ILR so cannot be included in the time to make up 5 years. They can be used for 10 years long residency though.

Gotcha. Thanks for the info. It's the reset thing that I needed clarity on. So switching just restarts the 5 year time frame. I know that there's no easy route, but wondered about the varying avenues when it comes to visas of this nature. Any other thoughts are always welcome.

(Always thought it was a shame about PSW, but oh well! Glad to have the chance to stay in the UK.)