Others will hopefully chime in on your core questions but just wanted to point out that you are still somewhat trapped even if you get indefinite leave to remain (if that's what you mean by residency) - if it seems you are no longer residing in the country the ILR can be cancelled. If you get citizenship I think you are safer.

 

If you were to get married, the need for proof of two years cohabitation to document the relationship would go away. Naturalisation would also be able to happen one year earlier, right after ILR has been granted if you are married. Without the marriage certificate, he would need to have at least 12 months on ILR before he could apply.

ILR will be cancelled if he is non-resident for two years, however if you are married and have been present in the UK sufficiently in the time leading up to ILR, he can apply for naturalisation straight away. Once your boyfriend (husband?) has his UK passport, you would be totally free to roam or live abroad for long or even indefinite periods.

I don't see why a tenancy agreement in Europe wouldn't count, but your application could get quite complex, particularly with additional foreign banks and wage slips, all of which would require translation. So you should think about the timing of any adventures in relation to visa renewals.

The rules for maximum time allowed spent outside the UK in order to qualify for naturalisation are here: https://www.gov.uk/becoming-a-british-citizen/check-if-you-can-apply

 

The point of your partner's visa is to live with you in the UK. There is no limit to how much time you can spend outside of the UK on an unmarried partner visa but as pointed out there are limits for naturalisation-no more that 270 days in the 3 years immediately preceding application and no more that 90 of those days in the 12 months previous. However, excessive time outside of the UK that isn't job related or compassionate will raise questions. Even of you keep your lease they are going to know by your passports that you weren't in the UK.



Getting married isn't going to preclude you from proving that you live together. In fact for FLR (M) you're going to have to prove that you've lived together for the previous 2 1/2 years whether you are married or unmarried partners.

 

Hi all,

Thanks for getting back!

It's not a massive issue now - we are just enjoying having him back - but it is slightly frustrating to see friends of ours going off to do ski seasons in Canada, taking gap years to travel the world etc and knowing that if we do something like that right now it will probably mess up our options for the future.

I guess it's just something we are going to have to deal with. Crossing every bridge when we come to it, or something like that anyway!

Thanks again.

 

Afternoon all,

I just wanted to quickly follow up on this and pick your brains on this grey Friday afternoon!

Looking ahead to 5+ years down the line, if Mitch were to become a UK citizen what then happens in regards to his Australian citizenship? Does he have to revoke that or would he be a dual citizen?

If/when we have children, what would be their options in regards to living in Australia further down the line if Mitch becomes a UK citizen? Will they have any rights in Australia?

Just trying to figure everything out - it's quite disheartening feeling this trapped when you're a nomad at heart!

Thanks,

Georgina

 

AFAIK both Aus and the UK recognise dual citizenship. If so you are lucky as not all countries do.

 

Australia allows dual citizenship although only since 2002 according to this:

Australian Citizenship – Dual citizenship

Your children should be able to claim both UK and Australian citizenship.

Australian Citizenship – Child born overseas to an Australian citizen