Immigrationboards.com

(this is a question on behalf of a friend).

Hi I'v got my indefinite leave visa on 1980 and married to a British partner. Iv got children and they are British. I decide to apply for British passport. Just want to know how should I start? do I have to apply like new ILR people who apply for Naturalization? do I have to go for English exam? please advise.

greenolive wrote:(this is a question on behalf of a friend).

Hi I'v got my indefinite leave visa on 1980 and married to a British partner. Iv got children and they are British. I decide to apply for British passport. Just want to know how should I start? do I have to apply like new ILR people who apply for Naturalization? do I have to go for English exam? please advise.

Looks like you will Have to prove that you did't leave country for more Than 2 years.
You will Have to apply for naturalization like others do and take life in the uk test.

Thanks for the respond, I always been in the UK (except short holidays less than a month in a year). I am running a successful business with good earning. I also hold a degree from university. Is it not enough to apply directly for naturalization?

greenolive wrote: I decide to apply for British passport. Just want to know how should I start? do I have to apply like new ILR people who apply for Naturalization? do I have to go for English exam?

First step is to apply for naturalisation. You will need to sit the Life in the UK test as you didn't do this when getting your ILR.

Thanks my friend

I have entered to the UK on 1973 with student visa, got married on 1978 with a BC and got my ILR on 1980.
I have heard if someone entered to the UK before 1975 and stay there can get the British citizenship directly, is this correct?

I havent seen anything to that effect but my learning has come from personal experience (and too much time spent on the HO website) and so by no means an expert

[quote="greenolive"]Thanks my friend



I would strongly suggest that you consult a qualified adviser or a solicitor as it might be an exemption in your case since you have been permanently living here for more than 3 decades that you do not need to pass the life in the uk test since that law has only been introduced couple of years ago and it doesn't affect you... please forgive me for asking but why have you waited all these years to apply? Have you ever had some kind of trouble with the law or have been convicted for a crime?

goodfellow1 wrote:I would strongly suggest that you consult a qualified adviser or a solicitor as it might be an exemption in your case since you have been permanently living here for more than 3 decades that you do not need to pass the life in the uk test

whilst this may be true you do also have to balance cost/ effort. The test is neither difficult nor expensive where as solicitors are!

I am not aware of any exemption from the LITUK test based on an applicant's length of residence in the UK.