British Citizenship Process and Question about Spouse

[junaidcg]

Hi There,
Its a time finally for me to apply for British Citizenship by end of December. I want to clarify the process with you guys, along with some questions regarding spouse citizenship application.

My Details
First Entry: Sep 2007
Time in UK: 1 yr student + 1.5yr psw + 5yr tier1 + 1yr ILR
Nationality: Indian

Spouse Details
First Entry: May 2012
Time in UK: 2.5yr PBS Dependent(tier1) + 1yr ILR
Nationality: Indian

Process
Step 1. NCS appointment
Step 2. Application to UKBA
Step 3. Acknowledgement letter
Step 4. Biometric Request and Take bio-metric test at post office or so
(Step 4.5. Interview if in case)
Step 5. Long Wait (3-6 months)
Step 6. Approval letter and Ceremony Booking details
Step 7. Ceremony Attendance and Certificate Handover
Step 8. Application for passport

Kindly let me know if I am missing any step, The important question I have is;
Question 1. When can my Spouse apply, does she have to wait for 5years to complete or 3 years. Since she entered before July 2012 (2.5yr PBS dependent and 1yr ILR)?
Question 2. If she can apply with 3 years rule, then when exactly she can apply. Does she have to wait for my citizenship certificate, then she have to apply as Spouse of British citizen, or she can apply same time as me?

Kindly furnish me with following questions and thank you very very much in advance.

Thanks,
Junaid

[secret.simon]

Process
Step 0.5. Fill in application form and gather documentation
Step 1. NCS appointment & submit application
Step 2. Application to UKBA-delete
Step 3. Acknowledgement letter
Step 4. Biometric Request and Take bio-metric test at post office or so
(Step 4.5. Interview if in case)
Step 5. Long Wait (3-6 months)
Step 6. Approval letter and Ceremony Booking details
Step 7. Ceremony Attendance and Certificate Handover
Step 8. Application for passport

Suggested modifications in italics.

Remember the requirement to be physically present in the UK on the day five years before the NCS appointment. So, if the appointment is on 15th December 2016, you must have been in the UK on 15th December 2011 or your application is invalid.

Question 1. When can my Spouse apply, does she have to wait for 5years to complete or 3 years.

Five years if she wants to apply before you reach Step 7. 3 years if afterwards.

[junaidcg]

Thanks Simon, that's really helpful.

One last question, I have 5yrs and 11 months of UK stay excluding Student visa and PSW (Tier 1 general 4yrs 11months + 1 year ILR). Since I got my ILR 28 days before I completed my 5yrs in Tier 1. I am assuming its meet both criteria of 5yrs UK stay and 1yr ILR.

Thanks !

[CR001]

Any legal visa status counts for citizenship for the 5 years immediately preceding your naturalisation application. Th 5 years must include 12 months on ILR (unless married to a British citizen).