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Citizenship query

Discussion in 'Consumer Concerns' started by MacyP, Nov 11, 2016.

  1. MacyP
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    MacyP New Member

    Hi,
    I just want to clarify regarding the acquisition of British citizenship? it would be very much appreciated if you can help me with the process.. I will due to get married June next year but will have the civil wedding in UK on Feb next year.Hoping that everything will work out well,we can acquire it after 5 years or 3 years? the visa that I'm gonna apply for is spouse visa since my fiance is a British national. and I don't understand how this indefinite leave to remain works. Does it mean I have to stay in UK for 5 years before I can apply for citizenship? Thank you.
  2. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    If you enter the UK on a Fiancée visa you will be given 6 months to marry and apply for the first FLR(M) (Further Leave to Remain - Marriage) which will give you another 2.5 years in the UK. Twenty eight days before the first FLR(M) expires you can apply for the second FLR(M) which will give you another 2.5 years in the UK. The last visa will be the ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after which you can apply for British citizenship. So it will be five years +from applying for the first FLR(M) to applying for the British passport :)

    If I was you I would forget about British citizenship for a few years and concentrate on the four visas before it :)
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2016
  3. joi1991
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    joi1991 Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Why would some people jump into the idea of british citizenship right away? o_O
  4. DavidAlma
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    DavidAlma Well-Known Member

    Hi Timmers

    Are you required to stay in UK for all of this time?
  5. firew0myn
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    firew0myn Active Member

    Some people want to understand the entire process and not just parts of it.
  6. joi1991
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    joi1991 Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    You're right, sorry I misunderstood the query.
  7. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    No, you can come and go as you please but there is a limit on the amount of days you can spend out of the UK in the five year settlement period, I've forgotten how many days but I can tell you its very generous :)

    You can spend extended periods of time out of the UK for family illness for example, if this happens then you need to give evidence of a long absence.

    Even when you secure the ILR there is a limit, there was an instance in the news recently where a lady who has ILR was refused entry to the UK after spending 2 years out of the UK.
  8. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Below is the official take on how many days you can be out of the UK, basically only absences above 6 months have any bearing on the ILR application;


    This page tells you about the exceptional circumstances when you can grant the applicant indefinite leave to remain (ILR) outside the rules when their continuous leave is broken.


    Absences of more than 180 days in each consecutive 12 month period before the date of application (in all categories) will mean the continuous period has been broken. However, you may consider the grant of indefinite leave to remain (ILR) outside the rules if the applicant provides evidence to show the excessive absence was due to serious or compelling reasons.

    The applicant must provide evidence in the form of a letter which sets out full details of the compelling reason for the absence and supporting documents.

    Serious or compelling reasons will vary but can include:

     serious illness of the applicant or a close relative

     a conflict

     a natural disaster, for example, volcanic eruption or tsunami

    Absences of more than 180 days in any 12 month period for employment or economic activity reasons are not considered exceptional.

    You can only apply discretion when it has been authorised at senior executive officer (SEO) level.

    Time spent overseas due to pregnancy, or maternity, paternity or adoption-related leave is treated the same way as any other absence, that is, within the 180 days in any 12 months.
  9. MacyP
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    MacyP New Member

    Thanks for the reply Timmers. but I'm not entering the UK using fiancé visa. Since we'll apply for the spouse visa or family of a settled person in the Philippines after getting married in UK civil on Feb..I applied for the marriage visit visa since after the wedding I'll go back to the Philippines and not stay in UK. I just want to know the whole process since I'm not sure if I enter on spouse visa does that mean my 3 years will start? or 5 years?
  10. joi1991
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    joi1991 Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Hi @MacyP , as far as I know, you only need a standard visitor visa if you're going to attend a friend's wedding in UK. A marriage visit visa is if you're getting married in UK and will leave after.
  11. MacyP
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    MacyP New Member

    I am getting married.. ☺️
  12. DavidAlma
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    DavidAlma Well-Known Member

    Many thanks Timmers
  13. Anon04576
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    Anon04576 Well-Known Member

    So you're entering the UK to get married but going back home to the Philippines then applying for a Spouse Visa?
  14. MacyP
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    MacyP New Member

    Yes that's right..
  15. Anon04576
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    Anon04576 Well-Known Member

    ..and once you succeed in you Spouse Visa you will stay in the UK?

    Why not just get married in Pinas then come to the UK and do civil? It will be quicker, easier & cheaper.
  16. MacyP
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    MacyP New Member

    coz we will have two weddings one in UK which will be on Feb and the other in Pinas which is on June ..
  17. Anon04576
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    Anon04576 Well-Known Member

    Ok, well good luck with your plans. To answer your question, Spousal visa is a 5 year route.
  18. MacyP
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    MacyP New Member

    thank you so much! is this a new rule? coz I am confused.. some say that it would take 3 years.. some say the spouse visa would lasts up to 33 months then we can apply for indefinite leave, then citizenship..
  19. Markham
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    Markham Guest

    Your second "wedding" would have to be simply a religious blessing. You can not be married in the Philippines as you will already be legally married.
    • Like Like x 1
  20. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member


    a settlement--spouse visa is a 5 year period in 2 halves--you apply for Further Leave to Remain after the first 33 months. at the end of five years you apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.. after that--citizenship -if you want it.
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