You have come so far on your UK immigration journey; one visa after another, indefinite leave to remain and now, time to apply for naturalisation?
You should appreciate that so-called ‘naturalisation’ IS NOT AN ENTITLEMENT, in other words you do not have a right to naturalise. The Secretary of State may, IF HE THINKS FIT, grant you a certificate to naturalise as a British citizen. The words “if he thinks fit” indicates a discretion to grant or not to grant.
Notably, many applications are refused (reportedly up to 30% of applications); often because applicants have applied even though they cannot satisfy the residence requirement to be present in the UK at the beginning of the residential qualifying period.
The requirements for naturalisation are set out in Section 6 with reference to Schedule 1 of the British Nationality Act 1981.
It is of the utmost importance to have regard to the guidelines under which caseworkers exercise (on behalf of the Secretary of State) the said discretion and under what circumstances they might (or definitely won’t) cut you some slack!
For advice and assistance please write to info@depner-immigration.com
or call 0333 200 5158