Chances of getting uk citizenship after 11 1/2 years in this country?

Question

my friend and her husband came in as asylum seekers been here 11 1/2 years but their claim for uk citizenship was refused because they were classed as an overstayer but the office made a mistake she has porof she applied for visa in time but they claim that is was late. she has solicitor but now advising them to leave. what can they do but to appeal again . any advice?

Answer 1

What is happening is that because she applied late she has not been legally in the country for the 5 years that is required. As a result she was illegally in the UK for a certain period of time which is what seems to be disqualifying her.

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/british...

If her solicitor is telling her to leave then he probably doesn't think she has a strong case, perhaps she should seek the advise of another solicitor (see if there is a chance).

She may be better off asking for another asylum visa and seeing if she can get another 3 years in the country. If she can stay for that long then she can get Indefinate Leave to Remain (as she will have been in the country for 14 years) the time will restart for her application for British citizenship (because she was classified as being in the country illegally).

Next time I suggest she send in her paperwork with plenty of time to spare and sent it via registered post so she can track it (or better yet deliver it in person).