Citizenship Application AN by Post

[AN2025]

Dear members

I hope I can get some clarification for some questions I have for a citizenship application.

Background

1. Wife came in UK on a spouse visa in 2013 on a 5 year route.
2. We extended and got ILR in 2018.
3. We never applied for citizenship but based on recent news, we decided to get it done.

Applying

1. I know we can apply online and fully familiar with the whole process.
2. However, we are going to apply on form AN via post.
3. All the docuemnts as per the AN guidance are ready.
4. We understand English Language B1 test used for ILR is accepted for citizenship even it is expired now.
5. Housewife and no employed.

Form AN

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... on-form-an


1. Page 4 says, provide your current addres and from date (which is fine) and Page 5 says, provide your addresses for the past years (we moved in 2017 so just one address)

My Question is, what do you put in where it asks you to (From) and (To). From is not an issue but what should go in (TO).


2. Page 11 says, residence requiremnts and Q 2.1.

My understanding is that the date is when she entered the UK on spouse visa (AN guidance also says the same). She was here before as a PBS dependent, went back and came with a spouse visa.


3. Page 12, says Qualifying period under 3 or 5 years.

My understanding is that she came on a 5 years spouse visa and as she is married to a British Citizen, the qualifying period would be the 3 years route (AN guidance says the same).


4. Page 25 says, the date of my application will be the date Home Office receives it for calculation purposes.

Now Page 12 says that to identify the start of the qualifying period, you use the day after the application date and then it gives an example.

Lets says if I post our application out on 1 October 2025, special delivery received by Home Office on 2 October 2025.
My date of application would be 2 October 2025. It then asks, what is the date you are applying on.
Am I correct to say that I need to put 3 October 2025 and then go back 3 years and then add a day?

Sorry for many questions but hopefully I can get an opinion for my understanding of the above. thnx

[CR001]

You should be applying online if you live in the UK. The paper form clearly states : "To be used by people in the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and British overseas territories, and by people who live elsewhere and want to apply by post."

If she applies online, she gets to keep all her documents, including her passport. Applying by post means she has none of her documents while UKVI processes her application, not even her passport.

[AN2025]

Hi CR001

1. As I mentioned initially, I am fully aware of the online process.
2. There are no restrictions on if you want to apply post, for example if you live in England.
3. I know we need to send our original documents and they keep it until decided.


I am hoping I can get clarification for the points raised. thnx

[contorted_svy]

Dear members

I hope I can get some clarification for some questions I have for a citizenship application.

Background

1. Wife came in UK on a spouse visa in 2013 on a 5 year route.
2. We extended and got ILR in 2018.
3. We never applied for citizenship but based on recent news, we decided to get it done.

Applying

1. I know we can apply online and fully familiar with the whole process.
2. However, we are going to apply on form AN via post.
3. All the docuemnts as per the AN guidance are ready.
4. We understand English Language B1 test used for ILR is accepted for citizenship even it is expired now.
5. Housewife and no employed.

Form AN

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... on-form-an


1. Page 4 says, provide your current addres and from date (which is fine) and Page 5 says, provide your addresses for the past years (we moved in 2017 so just one address)

My Question is, what do you put in where it asks you to (From) and (To). From is not an issue but what should go in (TO). Write N/A and explain in a cover letter


2. Page 11 says, residence requiremnts and Q 2.1.

My understanding is that the date is when she entered the UK on spouse visa (AN guidance also says the same). She was here before as a PBS dependent, went back and came with a spouse visa. Yes, spouse visa


3. Page 12, says Qualifying period under 3 or 5 years.

My understanding is that she came on a 5 years spouse visa and as she is married to a British Citizen, the qualifying period would be the 3 years route (AN guidance says the same). 3 years


4. Page 25 says, the date of my application will be the date Home Office receives it for calculation purposes.

Now Page 12 says that to identify the start of the qualifying period, you use the day after the application date and then it gives an example.

Lets says if I post our application out on 1 October 2025, special delivery received by Home Office on 2 October 2025.
My date of application would be 2 October 2025. It then asks, what is the date you are applying on.
Am I correct to say that I need to put 3 October 2025 and then go back 3 years and then add a day? I would say in your example, your application date, when the application is received by the HO, is the 2 Oct 2025 so start of qualifiying period is 3 Oct 2020

Sorry for many questions but hopefully I can get an opinion for my understanding of the above. thnx

[AN2025]

Hi contorted_svy

Thank you for your reply and I really appreciate it.

In regards to the qualifying period, can I get some more clarification plz.

Application post date: 1 October 2025
HO received : 2 October 2025
Application date would be: 2 October 2025

AN says "To identify the start of the qualifying period you use the day after the application date minus the length of the qualifying period. So for an application made on the 1 September 2022, you must have been in the UK on the 2 September 2019 (spouse of GBR) or 2 September 2017 (others).

The example given as below

Date you are applying on: 1 September 2022 (2 October 2025)
Go back 3 years: 1 September 2019 (2 October 2022)
Now add one day: 2 September 2019 (3 October 2022)

Start of the qualifying period: 3 October 2022

You said 3 October 2020 which I believe you referred to 5 years route. We are applying spouse of a British citizen so 3 years route and calculations.

[contorted_svy]

Yes apologies it would be 3 Oct 2022.