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Home 5 UK Citizenship (Naturalisation) requirements

Process and requirements for acquiring UK citizenship (Naturalisation)

Are you planning to continue to stay in UK for the rest of your life and become an UK citizen? Let us understand the eligibility and application process for the same.

Eligibility Criteria

You can apply for citizenship if you’ve living in UK for 5 years and have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for 12 months.

Additional requirements

  • You are over 18 years of age
  • You must prove you were in the UK exactly 5 years before the day the Home Office receives your application
  • You must prove your knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic
  • You have passed the life in the UK test
  • You intend to continue living in the UK
  • You are be of good character

Residency requirements

You must have lived in the UK for at least 5 years before the date of your application. You also should not have broken any UK immigration laws.

You should not have:

  • spent more than 450 days outside the UK during the 5 years before your application
  • spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months
  • broken any UK immigration laws (for example living illegally in the UK)

When to apply

You must have been physically present in the UK exactly 5 years before the Home Office receives your application.

How much it costs

Please check the UK government site for details on the latest applicable fees. Click here to find out more. 

You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken – there’s no fee for this. You’ll be told how to do this after you’ve applied.

How to apply

There are 2 ways to apply for British citizenship by naturalisation. You can either:

  • make an application yourself
  • use an agent or representative

Make an application yourself

  • Fill in the form online.
  • You’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo).
  • You do not need to send your documents anywhere. You can either:
    • upload copies into the online service
    • have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment
  • You can also apply by post.

Apply through an agent or representative

An agent or representative is a private company or individual that can help you with your application and give you advice.

Check if an agent or representative is registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA).

You can also use some solicitors or barristers that are not registered with the IAA. The solicitor or barrister must be registered with one of the following organisations instead:

  • General Council of the Bar
  • Law Society of England and Wales
  • Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
  • Faculty of Advocates
  • Law Society of Scotland
  • General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland
  • Law Society of Northern Ireland

You shall usually get a decision within 6 months – some applications can take longer. 

You shall need to attend a citizenship ceremony if your application is successful.

Citizenship ceremony

  • You need to attend a citizenship ceremony if you’re 18 or over and have successfully applied to become a British citizen.
  • You must attend a citizenship ceremony within 3 months of receiving your invitation from the Home Office.
  • Your local authority will organise your citizenship ceremony. They are usually done in groups but you can ask for a private ceremony if you prefer.
  • You must take your invitation when you go to your ceremony.
  • You’re usually allowed to take 2 guests.
  • The cost of your ceremony is included in your application fee.

During the ceremony

  • You’ll have to make an oath of allegiance (or an affirmation if you prefer not to swear by God) and a pledge. This means you promise to respect the rights, freedoms and laws of the UK.
  • At the end of the ceremony you’ll be presented with your certificate of British citizenship and a welcome pack.

 

Apply for your children

  • You must apply separately for your children.
  • You can apply to ‘register’ your child for citizenship if they were born either:
    • outside of the UK
    • inside the UK before you were granted indefinite leave to remain
  • Please check the fees to apply for each child. 

Applying for British Passport

You can apply for a British passport after receiving your citizenship certificate, which can be done either online 48 hours after your citizenship ceremony or immediately by using the Post Office’s passport check and send service. 

Apply online

To apply online you’ll need:

  • Your digital photo
  • someone who can confirm your identity
  • supporting documents
    • your naturalisation or registration certificate
    • the passport you used to come into the UK
  • a credit or debit card
  • Please check the applicable fees here