ESC

Click the "allow" button if you want to receive important news and updates from immigrationboards.com


Immigrationboards.com: Immigration, work visa and work permit discussion board

Welcome to immigrationboards.com!

Login Register Do not show

naturalisation Question

A section for posts relating to applications for Naturalisation or Registration as a British Citizen. Naturalisation

Moderators: Casa, archigabe, CR001, push, JAJ, ca.funke, Amber, zimba, vinny, Obie, EUsmileWEallsmile, batleykhan, meself2, geriatrix, John, ChetanOjha

Post Reply
zblake
Newly Registered
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Feb 04, 2025 12:01 am
United Kingdom

naturalisation Question

Post by zblake » Tue Feb 04, 2025 12:06 am

I hope you can help with a question regarding my naturalization application. I’d like to check if I am eligible to apply.

Here’s my timeline:

Entered the UK on a visit visa as a child in 2004 (age 13)
Received my first visa in December 2015 (through giving birth to a British child)
Switched to a spouse visa in 2018
Applied for ILR in July 2023
My spouse, who is a British citizen, moved out of our home in January 2024 (currently separated)
My ILR was approved in January 2025

Given this, could I still apply for naturalization?

To add to the above, I was arrested in 2019 with a group of friends for shoplifting. I wasn’t charged, just given a caution. Could this, or the fact that I am separated from my spouse, impact my naturalization application?

Thanks in advance for your help

User avatar
contorted_svy
Respected Guru
Posts: 3212
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2022 6:10 pm
Italy

Re: naturalisation Question

Post by contorted_svy » Tue Feb 04, 2025 8:10 am

You need the marriage certificate and proof that your spouse is British (copy of biometrics page of his passport or his certificate of naturalisation). you will need to declare the caution and show that your character has improved (eg you volunteer, haven't reoffended since). Your application won't be affected by the fact you are separated as long as you can produce the documents I said above. Else you will be able to apply in January 2026.
All advice comes from personal research and experience and should not be regarded as professional opinion.

zblake
Newly Registered
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Feb 04, 2025 12:01 am
United Kingdom

Re: naturalisation Question

Post by zblake » Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:19 pm

I have all the documents. Will I need to select “separated” on the application?

Regarding the caution, I haven’t reoffended. Even in that instance, I didn’t do anything wrong—I was just with the wrong people. I also forgot to mention that in 2023, I was arrested because my partner lent our car to a friend, who used it to commit a crime. After months of investigation, the police gave me NFA . Should I include that as well? That said, I don’t do any volunteer—I just keep to myself.

User avatar
contorted_svy
Respected Guru
Posts: 3212
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2022 6:10 pm
Italy

Re: naturalisation Question

Post by contorted_svy » Tue Feb 04, 2025 3:33 pm

There is no "separated" box you need to tick on your application.

I believe the NFA shouldn't be an issue, though I would declare it for peace of mind. My point about volunteering is to show you have good standing in your community and it would help to show you just were unlucky and hang out with the wrong people rather than being a persistent offender.
All advice comes from personal research and experience and should not be regarded as professional opinion.

zblake
Newly Registered
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Feb 04, 2025 12:01 am
United Kingdom

Re: naturalisation Question

Post by zblake » Tue Feb 04, 2025 3:40 pm

Thanks for confirming. Could you please send me the link to the application? The one I’m seeing has the option to select "separated" under relationship status.

User avatar
contorted_svy
Respected Guru
Posts: 3212
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2022 6:10 pm
Italy

Re: naturalisation Question

Post by contorted_svy » Tue Feb 04, 2025 3:57 pm

You are right, the Separated option is there. I believe until you are legally divorced you can still apply so I believe the Separated option should be the correct answer in your case - but other members may shed more light on this.
All advice comes from personal research and experience and should not be regarded as professional opinion.

zblake
Newly Registered
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Feb 04, 2025 12:01 am
United Kingdom

Re: naturalisation Question

Post by zblake » Tue Feb 04, 2025 4:17 pm

Thanks... If other members could share their advice, that would be fab

zblake
Newly Registered
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Feb 04, 2025 12:01 am
United Kingdom

Re: naturalisation Question

Post by zblake » Thu Feb 06, 2025 8:06 pm

Is there any other advice from the board before I submit the application? Just want to make sure picking the separated option is good to proceed. Thanks

User avatar
CR001
Moderator
Posts: 88309
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2012 10:55 pm
Location: London
Mood:
South Africa

Re: naturalisation Question

Post by CR001 » Thu Feb 06, 2025 8:10 pm

Does it say just "separated" or does it say "legally separated" which is what the paper form says.
Char (CR001 not Casa)
In life you cannot press the Backspace button!!
Please DO NOT send me a PM for immigration advice. I reserve the right to ignore the PM and not respond.

zblake
Newly Registered
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Feb 04, 2025 12:01 am
United Kingdom

Re: naturalisation Question

Post by zblake » Thu Feb 06, 2025 9:08 pm

It’s not a paper form, it’s online, and it says "separated."

Post Reply