Naturalization Help

[virgotash]

Hi all,

Though my naturalization is still long time to go but have some plans that's why asking for help.

I went for Premium service for ILR and been granted on the same day i.e. 19/05/2016 and received bio card dated 19/05/2016. However, Later I received another bio card valid from 11/06/2016. Later I contacted UKVI and adviser confirmed that my card valid from 11/06/2016 is active either return the second card or wait for reply from us as I already informed UKVI.
So my question is when I can apply for naturalization i.e. 20/05/2017 or 12/06/2017.

Secondly I will be eligible for naturalization via 5 year tier 1 general route so I am confused regarding presence in UK 1 day before. Will this be the date of application I will post or submitting to NCS (most probably I will use NCS) or the date when case worker will process my application.

I am asking about this because I was away from UK from 12/07/2011 to 02/10/2011.

Thanks in advance,

[alterhase58]

When I went to NCS for my application this was the first thing that was checked! Whilst I do a fair bit of business travel to Europe I was in the UK at the equivalent time five years ago. Apparently this is another "must" so suggest the earliest you can apply is 3rd Oct 2016, unless the experts here have a different take on this of course.

[secret.simon]

I went for Premium service for ILR and been granted on the same day i.e. 19/05/2016 and received bio card dated 19/05/2016. However, Later I received another bio card valid from 11/06/2016. Later I contacted UKVI and adviser confirmed that my card valid from 11/06/2016 is active either return the second card or wait for reply from us as I already informed UKVI.
So my question is when I can apply for naturalization i.e. 20/05/2017 or 12/06/2017.

If you have proof of having been granted ILR on 19/05/2016, you can apply for citizenship on 19/05/2017.

The best thing to do, as you have the time, is to apply for a SAR on the Home Office to see what date they have on record as having been granted ILR.

Will this be the date of application I will post or submitting to NCS (most probably I will use NCS) or the date when case worker will process my application.

If by post, it will be the date the Home Office receives the application (I believe, I am not certain).
If by NCS, it is the date on which you attend the NCS.

There is a legal requirement for you to have been present in the UK at the beginning of five years from the date of application. So, essentially date of application - 5 years + 1 day. So, if you applied on 19/05/2017, you must prove that you were in the UK on 20/05/2012 (unless you are the spouse of a British citizen, in which case, you must prove that you were in the UK on 20/05/2014).

[virgotash]

Hi Simon,

Thanks for your prompt response. I have approval letter dated 19/05/2016. And for the second question I don't know why I was counting 5 years back as 2011 instead 2012 as will apply for naturalization in 2017 you made it very simple and a big relief for me.

Thanks