Apply For British Citizenship | Eligibility & Requirements

Looking to apply for British citizenship? This detailed guide on how to apply for British citizenship covers everything you need to know, from eligibility requirements to the application process. Get expert insights and step-by-step requirements for British citizenship application.

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?

Obtaining British citizenship requires fulfilling several requirements, including:

Requirement	Details
Immigration status	You must have settled or pre-settled status in the UK. If you are an EEA national, you must have applied for the EU Settlement Scheme before you can apply for British citizenship.
Residency	You must have lived in the UK for at least five years, or three years if you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen. Additionally, you must not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK in the past five years, and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months.
Language proficiency	You must be able to speak, read, and write English at a B1 level or higher, or hold an approved English language qualification.
Good character	You must be of good character, meaning you have no unspent criminal convictions and have not engaged in any behavior that is not in line with British values.
Knowledge of life in the UK	You must pass the Life in the UK test, which covers topics such as British history, government, and culture.
Meeting financial requirements	You must not have any outstanding debts to the Home Office, and meet the financial requirements set for the application.

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

How can I apply for British citizenship?

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.

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.

Documents Required to apply for british citizenship

When submitting your British citizenship application, you will need to provide the following documents:

Document	Explanation
Current passport or other travel documents	To prove your identity and nationality
Evidence of your knowledge of English	Passed the English language test from an approved provider or have a degree taught in English
Evidence of your good character	Police certificate, evidence of employment or education history, and more
Proof of residency	Utility bills, tenancy agreement, and other documents that show you have lived in the UK for the required amount of time
Fee payment	The current fee for a British citizenship application is £1,330

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’.

why choose deluxe law chambers for your nationality application?

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A combination of our rich experience, deep-rooted expertise, trust authority, and unwavering commitment to our clients makes us your best choice.

So, why wait? Take your first step towards a successful immigration application with us.

British Citizenship frequently asked questions