ILR approved but expires in 3 years

Hi everyone,

I'm so relieved that my ILR BRP arrived today! This is just about 5(!) months from application - I had my biometrics appointment on March 19 and filed the following day.

However, the BRP expires on 31/12/2024. I thought they lasted for 10 years? I'm going to apply for citizenship but I'm wondering why the expiration date is so much sooner.

Secondly, I'm going to apply for citizenship based on 5 years of living here - it looks like my passport is sufficient evidence of that? That is, I don't have to dig up tenancy agreements and so on?

But I do have to check that I wasn't out of the country exactly 5 years to the day of my application, right?

Thanks, this forum is a godsend...

All BRPs for ILR have been set to expire on 31/12/2024.  I know someone here has mentioned a reason, but I have forgotten what it is.  Obviously, if you're going for citizenship before then, it won't affect you.  But if you're not going for citizenship yet, I presume renewing your BRP won't be an issue when the time comes as long as you don't leave the UK for more than 2 years before then. 

For citizenship you need to have held ILR for 1+ years OR you can apply as soon as you get ILR if you are the spouse/partner a UKC.  I assume you're applying under the second category, in which case you'll need to show that you are married to a UKC (marriage certificate, their passport), that you hold ILR (your BRP and US passport), and you need to show that you were present in the UK on the date exactly three years (not five) before the exact date you apply.  There's a few other things, but it's nothing like the visa applications.  It's another expense, but the application is easy.

Do you know who your two referees will be?  One must be of 'professional' standing, and can be any nationality.  The other one must be British.  Both must be 18+, not related to you, and you must have known them for 3+ years.

All BRPs for ILR have been set to expire on 31/12/2024.  I know someone here has mentioned a reason, but I have forgotten what it is.

It’s due to new EU regulations for biometric data cards which come into force in January 2025... so all ILR BRP cards now expire on 31st Dec 2024 so that new ones that meet the EU regulations can be issued.


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Interesting!

Are his passport and our marriage certificate the only documentation I need if I apply based on marriage? I know in the past I've had to supply divorce decree from his first marriage, all the cohabitation stuff, etc.

I was going to ask the headmaster at our daughter's school - would that fit under the teacher/lecturer category? I also have a friend who's a journalist and another who is a company director. Both are British citizens, though I know only one has to be.

Secondly, I'm going to apply for citizenship based on 5 years of living here - it looks like my passport is sufficient evidence of that? That is, I don't have to dig up tenancy agreements and so on?

Your immigration route to remain in the UK was under UK immigration laws and ended at ILR. Applying to be a British citizen is under Nationality laws and one of the requirements is to hold ILR.


If you’re married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen

To apply as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen you must have lived in the UK for the last 3 years.

You’ll also need to have either:

    indefinite leave to remain (ILR)
    settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme

If you do, you’ll be eligible to apply for citizenship immediately.
https://www.gov.uk/british-citizenship

But I do have to check that I wasn't out of the country exactly 5 years to the day of my application, right?

As jfkimberly has said, it is 3 years if you are applying for citizenship if your spouse is a British citizen.

Apply for citizenship if your spouse is a British citizen

You must have been physically present in the UK exactly 3 years before the Home Office receives your application. Your application may be rejected if you cannot prove this.

You can read that quote and the other requirements -
https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-spouse

Hi everyone,

I'm so relieved that my ILR BRP arrived today! This is just about 5(!) months from application - I had my biometrics appointment on March 19 and filed the following day.

Congratulations!