BC application Qs

[seasky]

1. Can you apply before the exact one year of your ILR (i.e. 28 days before). Mostly care to save any fee raises on the 6th APR (or are they just announced that day and go into effect weeks later?)

2. I see you can now apply online. Does online + Nationality document return service make any difference (in cost or time) vs. NCS?

[Trabant]

1)
Criteria for applying for naturalisation: a person who:

"had settlement (‘indefinite leave to remain’) in the UK for the last 12 months if you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA)
had permanent residence status for the last 12 months if you’re a citizen of an EEA country - you need to provide a permanent residence document "

I wouldn't apply before this applies.

2) NCS I applied through claimed they make things faster - but from what I can see here on timelines - I can see the opposite - so I don't see any difference - you keep your originals in both cases which is great- in my opinion it might be even safer to apply online so if I'd be applying just now - I'd do it this way.

[CR001]

1. Can you apply before the exact one year of your ILR (i.e. 28 days before). Mostly care to save any fee raises on the 6th APR (or are they just announced that day and go into effect weeks later?) there is no '28 day concession. You must have held ILR for the full 12 months.

2. I see you can now apply online. Does online + Nationality document return service make any difference (in cost or time) vs. NCS? some have received approval within 3 or 4 weeks using online.