UK British Citizenship

What British citizenship is

British citizenship is full UK nationality. A British citizen can hold a British passport, enter and remain in the UK without any immigration restrictions, and vote and stand in UK elections. Citizenship is normally permanent and, unlike settlement, does not lapse if the person spends long periods living abroad.

It should not be confused with indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or settled status. Those give the right to live in the UK but are still forms of immigration permission that can, in some circumstances, be lost. Citizenship is the step beyond settlement.

• A right to live and work in the UK free of immigration control
• Eligibility for a British passport
• The right to vote in all UK elections
• Status that does not expire through absence from the UK

The main routes to citizenship

The correct route depends entirely on personal circumstances. The main ones are:

• Naturalisation after ILR or settled status — the usual route for adults who moved to the UK and have settled
• Naturalisation as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen — a shorter residence route
• Registration for some people born in the UK — depends on birth date and parents' status
• Registration as the child of a British parent, or for people with another form of British nationality
• Registration for stateless people, Chagossian descendants, or those resuming a renounced nationality
• Automatic citizenship at birth — for example many people born in the UK before 1 January 1983

Naturalisation after ILR or settled status

This is the most common route for adults. Applicants must generally:

• Be aged 18 or over
• Have lived in the UK for the last 5 years
• Have held ILR, settled status or indefinite leave to enter for at least the last 12 months
• Not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK during the 5 years
• Not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months
• Have been physically present in the UK exactly 5 years before the Home Office receives the application
• Meet the good character requirement
• Pass the Life in the UK test
• Meet the English (or Welsh / Scottish Gaelic) language requirement

Naturalisation as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen

People married to, or in a civil partnership with, a British citizen can apply on a shorter residence basis. Applicants must generally:

• Be aged 18 or over
• Be the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen
• Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years before the date of application
• Already hold ILR or settled status
• Not have spent more than 270 days outside the UK during those 3 years
• Not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months
• Meet the good character, Life in the UK and English language requirements

The Life in the UK test, English and good character

Most naturalisation applicants must meet three shared requirements.

Life in the UK test: a computer-based test on British history, culture and values, booked and sat in advance. A pass certificate is needed before applying.

Knowledge of language: applicants must show the required standard of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic — usually through an approved secure English language qualification, or a degree taught or researched in English. Nationals of majority English-speaking countries and some other applicants are exempt. Check the current accepted qualifications on GOV.UK before booking anything.

Good character: the Home Office assesses whether the applicant has, for example, a clean immigration history and no serious or recent criminal record. This is judged case by case.

If you were born in the UK

Being born in the UK does not by itself make someone a British citizen. What matters is the date of birth and the parents' circumstances.

People born before 1 January 1983 are generally British citizens automatically, with narrow historic exceptions. People born on or after that date may be able to register — for example if a parent later became a British citizen or settled in the UK, or if the person has lived in the UK until at least the age of 10. Anyone unsure should use the GOV.UK checker before applying.

Costs

For naturalisation, the fee is £1,709 to apply plus a £130 citizenship ceremony fee — £1,839 in total. Providing biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) is included at no extra charge. A faster decision may be available for an additional fee.

Fees for the various registration routes differ and are not all covered here — check the specific GOV.UK page for the route that applies to you.

• Naturalisation application: £1,709
• Citizenship ceremony fee: £130
• Total for naturalisation: £1,839

Documents you may need

Exact requirements depend on the route, but applicants commonly need to provide:

• Passport or travel document showing immigration history
• Proof of ILR or settled status
• Life in the UK test pass certificate
• Evidence of meeting the English language requirement
• Evidence of residence and time spent in and out of the UK
• Details of two referees who can support the application

How to apply and what happens next

Naturalisation and registration applications are made online through GOV.UK. After submitting and paying, applicants book an appointment to provide biometric information and have their supporting documents checked or uploaded.

A decision is usually made within 6 months, though some applications take longer. If the application is approved, the final step is a citizenship ceremony (see below). Applicants must keep valid immigration permission until they attend the ceremony.

The citizenship ceremony

Successful adult naturalisation and registration applicants must attend a citizenship ceremony, usually arranged by the local council, within a set period after approval. At the ceremony they make an oath (or affirmation) of allegiance and a pledge, and receive their certificate of British citizenship. Only after the ceremony is the person legally a British citizen and able to apply for a British passport.

Keeping another nationality

The UK allows dual (and multiple) nationality, so becoming a British citizen does not require giving up an existing nationality as far as UK law is concerned. However, some other countries do not permit their nationals to hold a second nationality. Anyone concerned about losing their current citizenship should check the rules of that country before applying.