British Citizenship

You may be able to apply for British citizenship either by Naturalisation or Registration if meeting all the eligibility requirements.

Applying for British citizenship involves fulfilling residency requirements, passing the Life in the UK test, proving English language proficiency, and demonstrating good character.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply for British citizenship by naturalisation you must meet the requirements of the British Nationality Act 1981.

You must meet the following requirements:

• You must have lived in the UK for at least 5 years
• If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you can apply after 3 years of residence.
• You must have held ILR for at least 12 months unless you are married to a British citizen, in which case you can apply immediately after getting ILR.
• You should not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK during the 5-year period or 270 days if applying based on marriage to a British citizen.
• In the last 12 months, you should not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK.
• You must pass the Life in the UK Test (unless exempt).
• You must meet the English language requirement (unless exempt).
• No criminal convictions or breaches of immigration laws.

You must meet all other requirements depending on your circumstances.

Documents you'll need to apply

• Your current passport or a valid ID document
• Your BRP card (if have been issued to you)
• Proof you have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status
• List of absences from the UK
• Proof of knowledge of English or English language test certificate
• Life in the UK test certificate

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances and type of UK citizenship application.

British citizenship application processing time

Generally, the processing of British citizenship applications takes approximately 6 months.

However, your application may take longer if your case is complex, for example: if your supporting documents need to be verified.

How much does it cost to apply for ILR in the UK?

It costs £1,630.  You'll each need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken - there's no fee for this.