UK Naturalisation

What naturalisation is and who it is for

Naturalisation is the legal process by which an adult becomes a British citizen. It is the final step for most people who have already settled permanently in the UK.

To apply, applicants must already hold one of the following: indefinite leave to remain (ILR), settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or indefinite leave to enter. If an applicant does not yet have one of these, they must obtain settlement first before naturalising.

Naturalisation is discretionary. Even where all the requirements appear to be met, the Home Office makes the final decision, and good character in particular is assessed case by case.

• Adults settled in the UK who want to become British citizens
• People married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen who have settled status
• Note: children and some people with a specific entitlement usually become British through 'registration', a separate route, not naturalisation

Eligibility requirements

The requirements differ slightly depending on whether an applicant is married to a British citizen. The core requirements common to both routes are listed below, followed by the route-specific residence rules.

• Be aged 18 or over
• Be of good character (assessed against Home Office naturalisation guidance)
• Have met the residence and absence rules for the relevant route
• Prove knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic (unless exempt)
• Pass the Life in the UK test (unless exempt)
• Intend to continue living in the UK
• Not have broken UK immigration laws while in the UK

Residence and absence rules

The residence requirement is where the two routes differ. Applicants must also have been physically present in the UK on the day exactly 5 years (standard route) or 3 years (spouse/civil partner route) before the Home Office receives the application.

Standard route: applicants must have lived in the UK for at least 5 years and have held ILR, settled status or indefinite leave to enter for at least 12 months before applying. During those 5 years they must not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK, and no more than 90 days outside the UK in the final 12 months.

Spouse or civil partner of a British citizen: applicants must have lived in the UK for at least 3 years and already hold settled status when they apply, but do not need to wait 12 months after getting it. During the 3 years they must not have spent more than 270 days outside the UK, and no more than 90 days in the final 12 months.

Time spent in the UK as a diplomat, a member of a diplomat's staff, or a member of visiting armed forces does not count towards residence.

English language requirement

Applicants must prove knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic. This can be done by passing an approved English test at CEFR level B1 or above, or by holding a degree that was taught or researched in English.

Nationals of certain majority English-speaking countries do not need to prove their knowledge of English. Gov.uk lists these as: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British overseas territories, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Ireland, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the USA. Being from a country not on this list means the requirement applies even if English is an official language there.

• Exempt if aged 65 or over
• Exempt if you have a long-term physical or mental condition (evidenced by a doctor's exemption form and medical reports)
• Exempt if a national of a listed majority English-speaking country

Life in the UK test

Applicants must have passed the Life in the UK test before applying, unless they are exempt. The test is a computer-based test taken at an approved centre and covers British traditions, history, culture and everyday life.

The same exemptions that apply to the English language requirement for age (65 or over) and long-term physical or mental condition generally apply to the Life in the UK test. Applicants should check their individual circumstances against the current gov.uk guidance.

Costs

At the time of writing, gov.uk states the total cost is £1,839, made up of a £1,709 application fee and a £130 citizenship ceremony fee. There is no separate charge for providing biometric information.

There is no Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for a naturalisation application, because the applicant is already settled. Fees change periodically, so applicants must confirm the current amount on gov.uk before applying.

Documents you will need

The exact documents depend on individual circumstances. Applicants should follow the document checklist in the online service, which is tailored to their answers.

Common evidence includes proof of identity and immigration status, evidence of residence and dates of any absences, the Life in the UK test pass, and proof of meeting the English language requirement.

• Passport or travel document and proof of settled status (ILR / settled status / indefinite leave to enter)
• Evidence of continuous residence and records of time spent abroad
• Life in the UK test pass notification
• English language evidence (test certificate or degree), unless exempt
• Details of two referees who support the application

How to apply

Most people apply online through the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) portal. Applicants can apply themselves or use an adviser registered with the Immigration Advice Authority or another approved legal body. A postal route also exists but usually takes longer.

After submitting the online form and paying the fee, applicants provide biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph) at a UKVCAS service point and upload or have their supporting documents scanned.

The application must be supported by two referees who meet the Home Office's requirements.

Processing time and the decision

Gov.uk states applicants will usually get a decision within 6 months, though some applications take longer. A faster decision service may be available for an additional fee in some cases.

Because naturalisation is discretionary, the Home Office can request more information or refuse an application that does not meet the requirements, particularly on good character grounds.

After approval: the citizenship ceremony

If an application is approved, the applicant is invited to a citizenship ceremony, which they must normally attend within a set period. At the ceremony they make an oath (or affirmation) of allegiance and a pledge, and receive their certificate of naturalisation.

British citizenship takes effect from the date of the ceremony. After becoming a citizen, applicants can apply for a British passport and are entitled to live in the UK free of immigration control.

Family members and children

Naturalisation is an individual application. A spouse or partner cannot be added as a dependant; each adult applies in their own right and must meet the requirements themselves.

Children usually become British citizens through 'registration' rather than naturalisation. Some children born in the UK, and children of a parent who becomes British, may have an entitlement or discretionary route to registration. This is a separate process with its own rules and fees.