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Am I eligible for Naturalisation as a BC?

Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:46 pm
by DirkDiggler123
Hello everybody,

I have been living in the UK since 2007 under an ILR visa (I had an ILE before my arrival). I am currently a third year university student due to graduate in 2018. I think I check all the requirements given in the government website but I have some doubts.
  • During this summer, I lost my BRP while in Brazil and returned to the UK with a one time visa after which I have applied for a replacement BRP. Now, does this mean that I can still apply for naturalisation? I have read that you have to wait a year after you get a BRP to apply for naturalisation.
  • Since I don't have my degree yet, can I apply without doing any language tests? I have read that you can get a letter from your university specifying a graduation date instead of a test certificate.
The reason I'm thinking of applying now for naturalisation is that I would like to go to a university in another country for my Master's. Now, the Master's will take about 2 years which means I will not be eligible to apply after finishing my Master's for another 5 years. Ideally, I would have applied before I turned 18, but you know what they say, hindsight is 20/20.

Thanks in advance.

Re: Am I eligible for Naturalisation as a BC?

Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 1:06 am
by vinny
DirkDiggler123 wrote:
Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:46 pm
  • During this summer, I lost my BRP while in Brazil and returned to the UK with a one time visa after which I have applied for a replacement BRP. Now, does this mean that I can still apply for naturalisation? I have read that you have to wait a year after you get a BRP to apply for naturalisation.
The requirements includes at least one year with ILE/ILR. Nothing to do with BRP.
DirkDiggler123 wrote:
Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:46 pm
  • Since I don't have my degree yet, can I apply without doing any language tests? I have read that you can get a letter from your university specifying a graduation date instead of a test certificate.
Where did you read that? Doubtful. See also KOLL.

Re: Am I eligible for Naturalisation as a BC?

Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 12:43 pm
by tallahassee
DirkDiggler123 wrote:
Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:46 pm
  • Since I don't have my degree yet, can I apply without doing any language tests? I have read that you can get a letter from your university specifying a graduation date instead of a test certificate.
I think unless you have 'graduated' already but are still waiting for your degree certificate, you will need to do a language test. At least that is what I took from the gov.uk guidelines:
You must have proof that you’ve passed your degree. This can be either:

an original and official transcript with your name, the name of the institution, your degree and confirmation of the award

Re: Am I eligible for Naturalisation as a BC?

Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 1:32 pm
by CR001
tallahassee wrote:
Thu Oct 19, 2017 12:43 pm
DirkDiggler123 wrote:
Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:46 pm
  • Since I don't have my degree yet, can I apply without doing any language tests? I have read that you can get a letter from your university specifying a graduation date instead of a test certificate.
I think unless you have 'graduated' already but are still waiting for your degree certificate, you will need to do a language test. At least that is what I took from the gov.uk guidelines:
You must have proof that you’ve passed your degree. This can be either:

an original and official transcript with your name, the name of the institution, your degree and confirmation of the award
Tallahassee is correct. You are not exempt from meeting the English language requirement and if you have not finished studying you cannot use this or a transcript/letter to prove English.

You will need to do the test from an HO approved test provider.

Re: Am I eligible for Naturalisation as a BC?

Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 3:08 pm
by DirkDiggler123
Thanks everyone. Am I right in thinking that the B1 language tests will be the easiest? Looking at the approved tests list, it seems that the B1 SELT - GESE Grade 5 exam from Trinity College London will suffice. I am wondering how many language tests I need to take - do I need one for reading and writing as well?

Re: Am I eligible for Naturalisation as a BC?

Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 3:27 pm
by CR001
One test combined for speaking/listening as far as I understand and the SELT one you state will suffice.