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Applying for Citizenship overseas

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:22 am
by niteshj
Hi,

The situation - a person (Australian citizen) came to UK 5 years ago on HSMP and then moved to Tier-1 and then subsequently got ILR. All while living in UK. Now they want to go for citizenship when they are eligible.

The criterias I want to discuss are:
* you have to be restriction free for 12 months
* you are not allowed to be overseas for more than 3 months in the 12 months before you apply

So can this be done? Person gets ILR on Jan 1 2012. Then 9.5 months later, no overseas trips inbetween, they go to Australia and apply for British citizenship there (say on Jan 1 2013). OR does British citizenship for such circumstances HAVE to be applied within UK?

Also, after ILR, and when applying for British Citizenship, do we need to be economically active and/or prove finances, etc?

thanks

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 11:03 am
by Jambo
Possible although might raise questions on the applicant future intentions requirement. Are they planning to move back to Australia? Or is it just a long visit? You are expected to make the UK your home if granted BC. Also process time might be longer as the application is forwarded to the UK.

There is no requirement to be economically active for naturalisation (for the entire 5 years).

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 11:15 am
by vinny