Immigrationboards.com

Hello,

My wife is a South African (I'm British). She was granted discretionary leave to remain (limited leave to remain) under human rights by a judge back in 2009. She extended this once and has been on DLR for 6 years. She then applied last November for ILR and was granted that earlier this year.

When can she apply for citizenship? I've been told she doesn't have to wait a year, can someone confirm that for me?

Also how would she start that process?

She could have applied as soon as she got ILR earlier in the year. You are correct, a spouse of British citizen does not have to wait 12 months on ILR.

However, she needs to understand that their are two additional steps, with costs, involved if she wishes to retain her SA citizenship. This is separate and must be BEFORE she applies for British citizenship. If she does not wish to retain her SA citizenship, she can apply directly for naturalisation as BC.

Will she still have to do the life in the UK test?

Her first language is English. Will she be required to do the English test? Or can she use her South African GCSE equivalent in English?

Thanks for your help!

LITUK: yes

English, see https://www.gov.uk/english-language/exemptions

Yes, she will have to do LIUK.

Yes, she will also have to do B1 English test. Her SA GCSE is not acceptable. Only tests on the HO approved list are accepted. SA is NOT an exempt country for the English requirement.

A link to the approved B1 level tests/test providers:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... entres.pdf