British citizenship

[Safina]

Hi all,
I came to this country as unaccompanied minor and sought asylum in 2004 and my application was refused but because was not yet 18 I was given a Discretionary Leave for one year. it expired and I made an extension to the home office to which I never got a reply. But my visa allowed me to work and even went to university.Last year I was granted an Indefinate Leave to Remain under the Legacy stating that I have been granted this due to the duration I have stayed in this country. What I am asking is, Will I be eligible for British Citizenship after 12 months or after five years? Because when I spoke to my solicitor, she said that I will be eligible after 12 months and other people say five years! and I am mixed up now and I dont know what to take. Please help me.
Thank you very much in advance.

[Thandia]

Hi all,
I came to this country as unaccompanied minor and sought asylum in 2004 and my application was refused but because was not yet 18 I was given a Discretionary Leave for one year. it expired and I made an extension to the home office to which I never got a reply. But my visa allowed me to work and even went to university.Last year I was granted an Indefinate Leave to Remain under the Legacy stating that I have been granted this due to the duration I have stayed in this country. What I am asking is, Will I be eligible for British Citizenship after 12 months or after five years? Because when I spoke to my solicitor, she said that I will be eligible after 12 months and other people say five years! and I am mixed up now and I dont know what to take. Please help me.
Thank you very much in advance.

A recent amendment to the rules says 12 months. The amendment says any illegal stay from the asylum claim may be disregarded at the caseworker's discretion. So far people I know who've applied after this amendment & obtained ILR under the legacy backlog have been granted citizenship after the requisite 12 months. This is assuming they fulfilled the good character requirement and they had the 5 year minimum residential qualifying period. Some of those previously denied for being in breach of the residential qualifying period have received letters to reapply.

[Safina]

Hi Thandia
Thank you so much for your help. God bless. Safina

[John]

I came to this country as unaccompanied minor and sought asylum in 2004

When did you apply for asylum? Was that at the port of entry when you first arrived?

Or was it some time later than that? If so, how long after arrival in the UK?

[Safina]

Hi John, I came to this country in 2004 via airport and sought asylum that same day but I went to social services.

[John]

Safina, that being the case, you can apply for Naturalisation when you have had your ILR for one year.