Date of ILR application and Citizenship

[rommy]

Good Afternoon everyone,

My wife was granted spouse visa on 20/12/2020 and she entered UK on 12/02/2021. It is now almost 5 years now and we are planning for her ILR application and would really appreciate some guidance.

As she entered UK on 14/02/2021. She should be able to apply for ILR from 14/01/2026 28 days earlier from 5 anniversary. Is that correct? Is there any reason to delay the application? Her current leave expires in April 26.

We are thinking about using super priority service to for ILR application as we are planning to travel in April to Pakistan. We would like to submit her citizenship application before we travel. What is the earliest date we can apply for the citizenship?

Does she had to be in country 3 or 5 years before the date when home office receives her application?

Thank you for all your support.

[zimba]

Yes, she will become eligible in January.
She can apply for naturalisation immediate after ILR, however she should have been in the UK on the same date, 3 years prior.

[rommy]

Thank you Zimba.

We are thinking about using priority for ILR. But unfortunately we will not be able to apply for naturalisation straight away as she was outside country from Jan 2023 to 18/03/2023.

Is there any ground we can use to apply earlier for naturalisation before 18/03/2026?

[zimba]

No. You should apply when she is able to meet that requirement

[rommy]

Thank you Zimba. You are a Star.

One more question please. What happens if I lose my job or give notice to my employer after we have made our ILR application as my wife is financially dependent on me? Will I have to notify home office?

The reason I am asking is because I want to switch jobs and I am only waiting to submit my wife ILR application first before I make my career move.

[zimba]

The rules say that you should have that income or employment on the date of application. So what happens after that should be irrelevant