question about citizenship/passports...

Okay, so I'm really really confused by all this.

At what point, after spousal visas and ILR can I apply for citizenship? I've been trying to look into it on this board and am just getting more confused than I was on teh HO website 

As a side point, are there any differences based on how long you've been in teh country, etc? (So if I've been here as a student for 6 years, with only holidsays to the US, and am a resident for tax purposes, for example??  )

It would probably be easier to do a timeline of your immigration history and then we can tell you when you are eligible.

Vicky

It would probably be easier to do a timeline of your immigration history and then we can tell you when you are eligible.

Vicky

I came to the UK to do a postgrad degree in Sept 2000. I've been on student visas, have been working, and paying taxes (barely - never able to earn enough to pay much!) I've been home for about 3-4 weeks a year, but have lived here otherwise since then - until I went to the US to get married in December, returning in April with my 2 year visa (which expires in 2008).

Am I right in thinking I can apply for citizenship a year afterwards, a year after I get my ILR?

Thanks!

When you went to the US to get married, how long were you out of the UK for?

Vicky

four months...

I'd have known that if I'd read your post properly....

 

Okay....when you left in December, did you still have a valid visa?  And when you came back, was there any gap between the issue of the visa and your entry?  Basically, was there a four month gap between visas too?

Vicky

somewhere between 6 and 8 weeks... does that matter?

Yes, very much.

If the gap bewteen visas was short enough, you could well argue that this temporary gap should not be counted as a gap in terms of your UK residency..which means that you could apply for citizenship as soon as you get your ILR as you will have been resident here for 3 years by then.

Vicky

Thanks for that! I didn't know my student visa would count, that it would have to have started again with my spousal visa...

Do I just sort of ask when I apply for ILR?

No!  Once you get the ILR you then make the usual naturalisation application.

Just to highlight...I said *could* apply for citizenship then.  You would need to argue the gap did not constitute an end of your residence.

Vicky

Just to highlight...I said *could* apply for citizenship then.  You would need to argue the gap did not constitute an end of your residence.

Vicky

And if you did this and they still didn't go for it, would you lose your application fee?

Cuz it's not exactly small change.

This doesn't apply to me, but I am curious.

The chances are they would refund only the proportion of the fee which is for the citizenship ceremony.

Vicky