Married to British Citizen for 5 years - how to apply for Citizenship

[singhmohit]

Hello there,
I have a British Passport for about 7/8 years and married to Mrs who has Indian passport for last 5 years.
She initially moved to UK under “spouse visa” and got a BRP for 2.5 years. We renewed her visa again about two years ago.
She is about to complete her 5 years being married to a British citizenship in July.

My questions are:
1. Does she need to apply for ILR before applying for Naturalisation? Or can she apply for naturalisation directly once 5 years are complete?
2. Am I correct in assuming that if ILR is the next step; once she gets the ILR, she doesn’t need to wait for 12 month and can simply apply for naturalisation straight away? Or will we need to wait for 12 months before we can get to step two I.e. naturalisation?

Many thanks in advance.
Mohit

[meself2]

1) Yes, she needs ILR.
2) Yes, as she is the spouse of a British citizen.

[secret.simon]

1. Does she need to apply for ILR before applying for Naturalisation? Or can she apply for naturalisation directly once 5 years are complete?

ILR is a requirement for all naturalisation applications, on whatever route the person is applying for naturalisation.

2. Am I correct in assuming that if ILR is the next step; once she gets the ILR, she doesn’t need to wait for 12 month and can simply apply for naturalisation straight away?

Yes, provided she was physically present in the UK exactly three years before the date of the naturalisation application.

Also, she can apply only after she is issued ILR, which can take a few weeks to a few months.