Hi I am on a spouse visa 5 years route.
Arrived in uk 13 November 2020
I was granted 2.5 years extended visa on 14 August 2023
I then did the British Citizenship application on 11 January 2026
I got a refusal application
Reasons for decision
You have not been successful in your application for British Citizenship because you have not met the requirement(s) to:
Be free from immigration time restrictions on the date of application
You must have been in the UK, free from immigration time restrictions on how long you could stay in the UK on the date of application.
Your application was received on 11th January 2026. As you were granted Leave to Remain in the UK on 14th August 2023, which was valid to 14th March 2026, on the date of your application you do not meet this requirement. Please note, leave to remain is not settled status therefore, you are still subject to immigration time restrictions.
I realised the refusal was because I didn't apply for the ILR now my visa expired on 14 March 2026 when my application for the citizenship was under review. What would be the best step to do?