Citizenship for Australian BF

[spagangel]

Hi,

Hoping someone out there can help me!

My boyfriend (Australian) and I (British) have been living in the UK together since 2010.

We had already been together for 4 years in Australia when we came to the UK. Obviously, for me there were no issues, but for my BF he had to get an umarried partner visa. This came through fine and in Feb this year he got his indefinite leave to remain.

Now, here's the thing, when he first starting the process he was told that after having indefinite leave to remain for 1 year, he could apply for citizenship...However, I can't find anywhere on the home office website where it says this. I know the rules have changed recently, however as he first got his visa in 2010 he should be excempt from these changes, right?

However, I still can't find anywhere that mentions the 'unmarried' part, it's all married or even civil partnership. Does anyone know how long he has to wait, is it 1 year after ILR or 5 years from entering the UK? We are confused.

Any help would be really appreciated.
Cheers!

[Amber]

As you are not married/civil partnered he must wait for 12 months since ILR and meet the other standard requirements. If you marry/register a civil partnership he may be able to apply straight away.

[spagangel]

Thanks, so does the residential requirements form part of the standard requirements then?

I guess my question is even though he got the ILR in Feb, can he apply in Feb 2013 - after waiting 1 year. Or, since he hasn't resided in the UK for 5 years yet, he will have to wait until then? That will be November 2015?

Thanks!

[Amber]

He must be in the UK 5 years as well, again, unless you marry/civil partnership.