British Citizenship Application | Eligibility & Requirements

Are you considering applying for British citizenship? Becoming a British citizen is a significant step for many individuals who have lived in the UK for an extended period or have close ties to the country. British citizenship grants you the right to live and work in the UK permanently, enjoy the same rights as any other citizen, and participate fully in British society.

This detailed guide on how to apply for British citizenship covers everything you need to know, from eligibility requirements to the application process.

Types of British Nationality

There are several routes to acquiring British citizenship, depending on your circumstances:

British Citizenship By Birth

You may automatically be a British citizen if you were born in the UK and one of your parents was a British citizen or settled in the UK at the time of your birth.

British Citizenship By Descent

British citizenship can be passed down through one generation if one of your parents is a British citizen by birth or naturalisation. This does not usually apply if you were born outside the UK.

British Citizenship By Naturalisation

For most adult applicants, naturalisation is the primary route to British citizenship. You need to meet specific residency, language, and good character requirements.

British Citizenship by Birth

If you were born in the UK to a British citizen parent or a parent who is “settled” (i.e., holding indefinite leave to remain), you are automatically a British citizen. However, the rules vary if your parents are foreign nationals or diplomats.

British Citizenship by Descent

You can claim British citizenship by descent if one or both of your parents were British citizens at the time of your birth. However, there are limitations, such as:

• Citizenship is typically limited to one generation born outside the UK.
• If you are born to British parents abroad, your children may not inherit citizenship.

British Citizenship by Naturalisation

Naturalisation is the process most non-British adults will follow to become a UK citizen. The general requirements include:

• Being over 18 years old
• Meeting residency requirements
• Passing the Life in the UK Test
• Proving English language proficiency
• Having “good character”

Residency Requirements

To qualify for naturalisation, you must have lived in the UK for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a British citizen) without long absences. You must also hold indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

During the residency period, you must not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK in the last 5 years, or 90 days in the last year. Failure to meet these criteria can delay your application.

Good Character Requirement

The good character requirement involves checks on your criminal record, financial history, and general conduct in the UK. If you have a serious criminal conviction, unpaid taxes, or a history of immigration violations, your application may be refused.

English language requirement

To become a British citizen, you must demonstrate knowledge of English, Welsh, or Scottish Gaelic. The most common way to do this is by passing an approved B1 English language test. However, exemptions are available for applicants over 65 or those with a long-term physical or mental condition.

Life in the UK Test

The Life in the UK Test is a mandatory requirement for most applicants. It covers British culture, history, and traditions. To pass, you’ll need to prepare thoroughly, as the questions can be tricky.

Who is eligible to apply for British citizenship?

Not everyone can apply for British citizenship. You must meet certain eligibility requirements to be considered for British citizenship. These requirements include:

Immigration Status	You must have settled status, also known as indefinite leave to remain, in the UK. This means you have the right to live and work in the UK without any restrictions.
Residency Requirements	You must have lived in the UK for a certain amount of time before you can apply for citizenship. The general requirements are as follows: 5 years if you have settled status / indefinite leave to remain 3 years if you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen

What are the requirements for British citizenship?

To be eligible for British citizenship, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be aged 18 or over
• You must be of good character, which means you have not committed any serious or recent criminal offences
• You must have lived in the UK for a certain period of time (usually at least five years) and have held indefinite leave to remain or settled status for at least one year before applying
• You must satisfy the English language requirement, unless you are exempt
• You must pass the Life in the UK test, which requires knowledge of British history, culture, and institutions
• You must intend to continue living in the UK
• You must not have any legal restrictions on your stay in the UK
• There are additional requirements if you are applying for citizenship through descent, naturalization, or registration

The application process for British citizenship can be complex and may require submitting evidence of meeting the above requirements, attending a citizenship ceremony, and paying a fee. It is recommended to seek professional advice or assistance when applying for British citizenship to ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and requirements.

If you are unsure whether you meet these requirements, you can seek guidance from our British citizenship lawyers to assess your eligibility.

Documents Required for British Citizenship

When applying for British citizenship, you’ll need to provide several key documents, such as:

• Proof of English proficiency (test results or exemption documentation)
• Proof of identity (passport and biometric residence permit)
• Proof of residency (utility bills, council tax statements)
• Referees declaration (you need to provide two referees declaration)

How can I apply for British citizenship?

You can apply for British citizenship either online or using a paper application. Online applications are generally faster, but both options require you to provide detailed information about your life in the UK, as well as supporting documents.

If you are confident that you are eligible for British citizenship and have met all the necessary requirements, you can now begin the application process. The application must be completed online and you will need to provide all required documents as evidence of your eligibility and identity. Before submitting your application, ensure that you have answered all the questions truthfully and provided all necessary information.

Form AN Application for naturalisation as a British citizen

Once you have submitted your application, you will need to attend a biometric appointment to provide your fingerprints and photograph.

After your biometric appointment, you will need to wait for the Home Office to process your British citizenship application. The processing time will vary depending on the circumstances of your application.

Applying for British citizenship can be a complicated process, but with the right information and preparation, it can be a smooth and successful experience.

How long does it take to get British citizenship?

Processing times for British citizenship applications can vary depending on a variety of factors. Typically, the waiting period is around six months from the time of submission of the application.

It’s important to note that certain situations may result in longer processing times, such as if additional documentation or information is required. In some cases, the waiting period can be up to 12 months or longer.

If you have any concerns about the processing time of your application, you can ask a question from our immigration lawyers.

What are the benefits of becoming a British citizen?

Becoming a British citizen comes with a number of benefits that can significantly improve your life in the UK. Here are some of the main advantages:

Benefits	Description
Right to vote and stand for public office	As a British citizen, you have the right to vote in all UK elections and referendums. You can also stand for public office, including becoming a Member of Parliament.
Access to more job opportunities	Some jobs in the UK are only available to British citizens, particularly those in the public sector. By becoming a citizen, you open up more job opportunities that may be otherwise unavailable to you.
Unrestricted travel	British citizens have the right to travel and live throughout the UK without any restrictions. You also have the right to enter and exit the UK freely without needing a visa.
Access to public funds and benefits	As a British citizen, you are entitled to receive certain public funds and benefits, including social security, housing, and healthcare. This can provide an important safety net in times of need.
Greater security	British citizenship provides greater security and stability. You will have the right to remain in the UK indefinitely and will no longer be subject to immigration restrictions or the risk of deportation.

By becoming a British citizen, you will also be able to obtain a British passport, which can make international travel easier and more convenient.

Evidence of residence for British Citizenship applications

If your application for British Citizenship is based on the length of your lawful residence in the UK then you will need to supply evidence about how long you have lived in the UK. Supporting British Citizenship documents showing evidence of residence include:

• Your passport
• Letter from your employer or employers saying when you started work including your P60
• Letter from educational establishment setting out your periods of study
• Letter from a government departments indicating your presence in the UK for a specified period.

Various applications for british citizenship

1. Naturalisation
2. Registering A Child As A British Citizen – MN1 Application
3. Registering A Child As A British Citizen After 10 Years – Form T

Good character requirement for citizenship application

The guidance applies to applications for registration and naturalisation from those who are aged 10 or over at the time the application is made. You usually need to prove you’re of good character before you can apply for citizenship. The Home Office look at a range of things to decide this. For example, the Home Office might decide you’re not eligible if you have:

• unpaid taxes in the UK
• an NHS debt 
• been declared bankrupt
• a serious or recent criminal record
• broken a condition of your leave in the last 10 years – for example working or claiming public funds without permission

It’s important to be honest and include anything that’s relevant to your application – for example, a criminal conviction. If the Home Office finds you’ve left something out, they might refuse to accept your application.

Referees for British citizenship application

You’ll need to give the names of 2 referees on your application. These are people who know you and can help prove your identity. 

Both of your referees should have known you personally for more than 3 years. They must not be: 

• your relative
• your solicitor or agent 
• employed by the Home Office 

They can’t be a referee if they’ve had a criminal conviction in the last 10 years, unless a certain period of time has passed. This is called the ‘rehabilitation period’. For example, the rehabilitation period for a fine is 1 year. You can find the rehabilitation periods on GOV.UK.  

Your referees should include: 

• a person who has ‘professional standing’ – for example, a civil servant of any nationality
• a person who is a British passport holder and either has professional standing or is over the age of 25

The Home Office has a list of people they accept as referees – they’re called ‘acceptable professional persons’. 

Before you apply, check the list and the rest of the rules for referees in the nationality guidance on GOV.UK. The list of who can be a referee is under ‘Commonly used terms’.

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British Citizenship frequently asked questions