Gaining Citizenship After 5 years

[jpjones]

I have been in the UK for 6 years, originally on a Tier 2 visa now on a Family Leave visa. I've been married to my English wife 36 years, and we plan on staying in the UK. I'm getting unclear advice from Immigration.

I would like to apply for citizenship as soon as I can, and thought I may be elegible after 5 years. However, it seems I need to first extend my 5 year visa then after that I need indefinite leave to remain then I can apply for citizenship. Since I've been in UK for over 5 years and professionally employed, is there no way to apply for citizenship or at least indefinite leave to remain without extending the 5 year plan visa first?

[CR001]

However, it seems I need to first extend my 5 year visa then after that I need indefinite leave to remain then I can apply for citizenship.

Correct, ILR is mandatory before you can apply for citizenship.

Since I've been in UK for over 5 years and professionally employed, is there no way to apply for citizenship or at least indefinite leave to remain without extending the 5 year plan visa first?

No there is not. You cannot combine time spent on Tier 2 with time spent on spouse settlement visa to make up 5 years for ILR. The only time you can combine different visa categories if for ILR based on 10 years long residence.