British Citizenship by Naturalisation

How to Apply For British Citizenship by Naturalisation

If you are 18 years old or older, you may apply for naturalisation and become a British citizen. To become a British citizen, you must show that you have been in the UK for at least three years on Indefinite Leave to Remain or EU Settled Status and that you have never violated UK law, including immigration violations.

If your application for permanent resident status is granted, you will be able to live, work, and study in the United Kingdom indefinitely. You'll also be allowed to travel and spend time outside of the country without fear of losing your status.

How can I become a British citizen by naturalisation?

Naturalisation is the procedure for obtaining British citizenship if you were not born in the United Kingdom. To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old and meet specific criteria. You must not have a severe or recent criminal record, nor have you violated any UK immigration rules while in the UK. Most significantly, you must have spent at least twelve months in the UK as a settled person (with Indefinite Leave to Remain).

After three years of continuous residency as a settled person, those married to British nationals may apply for naturalisation.

You must also verify that you fulfil other criteria before applying for naturalisation. Your overall number of absences from the UK must not surpass a certain time limit, particularly during the last year of your qualifying term, when you are not allowed to spend more than 90 days outside the UK. Unless you are exempt, you must also meet the English language requirements.

You can apply for British citizenship by filling out the appropriate Home Office naturalisation form. Typically, the application procedure takes three to six months. You will be invited to a Citizenship ceremony to acquire your Certificate of Naturalization if your application is accepted.


What are the British Citizenship requirements?

Those who want to apply for naturalisation must satisfy the following eligibility requirements, according to the British Nationality Act:


You must be at least 18 years old.
Have lived in the UK for at least 5 years, with no more than 450 days spent outside the country.
Have been in the UK for at least 12 months and have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Meet the English language requirements for the CEFR level B1 (unless exempt).
Pass the Life in the UK Test to demonstrate that you are familiar with the fundamentals of British customs, traditions, and culture.
Have not broken any immigration laws in the United Kingdom
Demonstrate that they have met the Good Character requirement.

The “Good Character” requirement

To become a British citizen, you must show that you have "good character." This implies you can't have a serious or recent criminal record. The Home Office will also look into any criminal offences committed abroad as well as any immigration-related issues in the United Kingdom. The UKVI, on the other hand, will consider any contributions you may have made to society.


What documents do I need to register for British Citizenship?

It is essential to compile a sufficient portfolio of documents to show that you satisfy all of the residency criteria when filing your application to become a British citizen. This will assist the Home Office in evaluating your application and shortening the time it takes to process it.

To get British citizenship, you must submit the following documents to the Home Office:


Your passport, birth certificate, or any other valid travel document that serves as proof of your identification and permanent resident status.
Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), your residence card, or any other documentation proving that you have Indefinite Leave to Remain or EU Settled Status.
Evidence of your prior immigration status and right to remain in the United Kingdom, including any visas you had before settling in the United Kingdom.
Proof of English language proficiency and familiarity with living in the United Kingdom. After passing both the Life in the UK Test and the ESOL language test, you will get a valid pass certificate. You do not need to retake the Life in the UK Test if you previously passed it when you were granted Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Evidence of legal residence in the United Kingdom throughout the qualifying period. As a UK resident, you must have always complied with all immigration rules.
Details of any trips you've taken outside of the United Kingdom. To become a British citizen, you must show that you have spent no more than 450 days outside the UK throughout your five-year residency term.
Proof showing you are not subject to UK immigration time limits and have the right to remain in the UK.
You meet the "good character" requirement and have never violated any immigration rules in the United Kingdom.
Depending on your immigration status, proof that you have used your treaty rights in the past 3 or 5 years. You may do so by providing letters from your present employer, bank statements, or letters from your educational institution.

How do I apply for British Citizenship?

To submit your application, fill out the application form provided by the UKVI and attach any supporting documents to it.

Your biometric information (photograph and fingerprint scans) must be collected at a UKVCAS centre near you.

You may be contacted by the Home Office to see whether you can give your information at a local post office.

You can submit your documents and forms from anywhere in the world, including the United Kingdom.


What are the British citizenship fees?

Naturalisation fee is £1,330 (plus £80 citizenship fee) from the Home Office. The fee for biometric enrolment is £19.20.

The fee for adult registration with the Home Office is £1,206 (plus £80 for citizenship). The fee for biometric enrolment is £19.20.

The fee for child registration with the Home Office is £1,012 (plus an extra £80 Citizenship fee if the minor turns 18 during the application process). The fee for biometric enrolment is £19.20.

Naturalisation does not have any priority services available. 

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