Applying for British Citizenship

Naturalisation is the process for adults to apply for British citizenship after meeting residence and eligibility requirements. Registration is primarily for children or individuals with a specific UK connection, such as being born to British parents or having lived in the UK for an extended period.

You must have lived in the UK for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a British citizen) and held Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Settled Status, or a Permanent Residence card for at least 12 months before applying.

To apply for British citizenship, your absences must not exceed:

• 90 days in the last 12 months.
• 450 days in the last five years (if not married to a British citizen).
• 270 days in the last three years (if married to a British citizen).

If your absences exceed these limits, you may still be eligible to apply depending on your circumstances. We can advise you on your options.

Yes, children may qualify for registration if:

• They were born in the UK and a parent later becomes a British citizen.

• They have lived in the UK for their first 10 years with minimal absences.

• They were born abroad to British parents who meet certain criteria.

Yes, the Life in the UK Test is required for naturalisation but not for registration. Certain applicants, such as children, may be exempt.

Applicants must prove English proficiency through an approved language test or qualification unless they are from a majority English-speaking country.

You must meet the “good character” requirement, which considers criminal records, immigration breaches, and financial issues such as bankruptcy. Each case is reviewed individually.

The Home Office typically processes applications within 6 months, though this varies based on case complexity and application volume.

Typical documents include:

✅ Passport and travel history
✅ Proof of residence and ILR/Settled Status
✅ Marriage/birth certificates (if applicable)
✅ Life in the UK Test and English proficiency certificates

Yes, family applications can be submitted together, but each member’s eligibility is assessed separately.

There is no right of appeal, but you may be able to request a reconsideration or reapply, addressing any issues raised.

💰 Naturalisation for adults: £1,735
💰 Registration for children: £1,214
💰 Additional £130 if a child turns 18 during the process.

Official fees for citizenship applications can be found here.

*Disclaimer: Fees correct as of April 2025*

In some cases, yes. For example, children who have lived in the UK for 10+ years may qualify for registration.

The UK allows dual citizenship, but some countries do not. Check with your home country’s authorities.

After your citizenship ceremony, you can apply for a British passport immediately.

To finalise the process of becoming a British citizen, individuals must attend a British citizenship ceremony whereby you will make an oath of allegiance and make a promise to respect the rights, freedoms, and laws of the UK.

Usually, you must attend the British citizenship ceremony within three months of receiving the invitation from the UK Home Office.

Yes, as long as you maintain your current immigration status and remain available for Home Office requests.

Yes, our immigration lawyers deal with discretionary applications and are able to identify scenarios where the UK Home Office should expect to register a child as a British citizen.