British Citizenship by naturalisation

British citizenship by naturalisation is the most common route to British citizenship for non-British nationals who can meet certain eligibility requirements. Naturalisation is the process of applying for citizenship for adults. Registration is the process usually for those under the age of 18 and has separate requirements, for more information, see our topic page on British citizenship by registration.

The benefits of becoming a British citizen can include the right to live and work in the UK without restrictions, the ability to travel using a British passport, receive consular assistance while abroad, and access to certain benefits and services.

However, citizenship isn’t the only way to live and work in the UK permanently, so it’s important to decide if citizenship is right for you before you apply. The rules regarding British citizenship can be complex and depend on individual circumstances. If you have any questions or concerns about your own citizenship status, you should book an online consultation with us.

You can apply for British citizenship by completing the application and paying a fee (the amount of the fee changes depending on Government policy). Afterwards, you will need to confirm your biometric details in person at a UKVCAS centre. Once these steps are complete, the Home Office will process your application and if approved, you will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony.

To naturalise as a British citizen, you must meet the following British citizenship requirements:

• Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
• Residence: You must have lived in the UK for at least five years (or three years if you are married to a British citizen).
• You must have been physically present on the date at the start of the five-year qualifying period (or three years if you are married to a British citizen).
• Absences: You should not have spent 450 days (or 270 days if you are married to a British citizen) outside the UK. There is some limited discretion to disregard these absences, but it is important to get advice if you hope to rely on this.
• Settled in the UK: You must have Indefinite Leave to Remain, Permanent Residence or Settled Status for at least 12 months (unless you are married to a British citizen) and intend to continue living in the UK.
• Good character: You must be of good character, which means you must not have a criminal record or any other relevant convictions or breaches of immigration law. The Home Office will review your character, including positive contributions that you have made in the UK, to decide if you have the necessary character to become British. 
• English language: You will either need to pass an English language test from an approved provider, or demonstrate that you are exempt from the requirement.
• Knowledge of life in the UK: You must pass the ‘Life in the UK’ test, which assesses your knowledge of certain aspects of British history and culture, as contained in the official ‘Life in the UK’ handbook, or, you must demonstrate that you are exempt from the requirement.

Your British citizenship application will also require two referees, to establish your identity.

You can decide who they are so long as they meet the requirements. Broadly these requirements are that: 

• Both referees must have known you for at least three years; 
• They cannot be related to you or to the other referee; 
• They must not have had any criminal convictions within the last ten years; 
• One must be a British passport holder, and either be:
• A professional person, these include a minister of religion or a dentist, however, other recognised roles can be found on the list of recognised professions online; or,
  • Over the age of 25 years old.
• The other referee can be of any nationality but must be a professional person.

Note that at least one of your referees must be a professional person and cannot include your legal representative.

Your application might still be successful if you are unable to provide two referees (for example, for young children) but you will need to explain why you are unable to do so and it is recommended that you seek legal immigration advice. 

The documents needed can vary depending on your circumstances, but in general, you will need to provide the following:

• Your current valid passport or travel document.
• Evidence of your current immigration status and that you are free from immigration control/time restrictions such as your Indefinite Leave to Remain or Permanent Residence, EU Settled Status and/or a Biometric Residence Permit.
• Evidence of your residence in the UK for the required period of time, such as utility bills, bank statements, or tenancy agreements. 
• Relevant details of any period of absence that you have spent outside the UK. 
• English language test results unless you are exempt.
• Pass certificate for the Life in the UK test.
• Other supporting documents relevant to your circumstances, such as marriage or civil partnership certificates, divorce decrees, or evidence of a change of name.