Apply for British Citizenship After ILR

You can apply for British citizenship 12 months after you've received Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Settled Status, or Indefinite Leave to Enter the UK.

You must meet certain eligibility criteria, including residency requirements, good character requirements, and passing the Life in the UK test, which assesses the individual's knowledge of British customs, traditions, and institutions.

If you've held ILR for 12 months and want to apply for British citizenship, contact Vanguard Solicitors on 0208 616 5535 for assistance with your application.

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What is indefinite leave to remain (ILR)?

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as settlement, is an immigration status that allows you to live and work in the UK without any time restrictions.

Unlike UK visas, there are no limits on how long you can stay once you have ILR and you can work, study, and access public services like healthcare.

What is British citizenship?

After becoming a British citizen, you can live and work in the UK without any immigration controls and apply for a UK passport.

As a British citizen, you can vote in UK elections, apply for a UK passport, enjoy protection from deportation, and access public services such as healthcare.

British citizenship by naturalisation is the process through which individuals who are not born British citizens can acquire British citizenship.

How long do I have to wait for British citizenship after ILR?

You can apply for British citizenship 12 months after obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Settled Status, or Indefinite Leave to Enter the UK.

However, if you are married to a British citizen, you can apply immediately after obtaining ILR, without waiting for 12 months.

Does having ILR make you a British citizen?

No, having an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) does not make you a British citizen. ILR, also known as ‘settlement,' is different from British citizenship.

Indefinite Leave to Remain grants you the right to live and work in the UK without immigration restrictions, though you cannot obtain a British passport.

On the other hand, British citizenship offers full rights, including a UK passport, voting in elections, protection from deportation, unrestricted travel, and more.

Eligibility for British citizenship after ILR

To apply for naturalisation as a British citizen, you must have had one of the following for 12 months:

• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
• Settled Status
• Indefinite Leave to Enter the UK

You can apply immediately if you're married to a British citizen, without waiting for 12 months.

Requirements for British citizenship after ILR

To be eligible to apply for British citizenship after ILR, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have lived in the UK for 5 years (or 3 years if married to a British citizen), with no excessive absences.
• Have held ILR for at least 12 months (unless married to a British citizen).
• Be in the UK on the first day of the qualifying period.
• Prove your knowledge of English (if required).
• Pass the Life in the UK test.
• Intend to continue living in the UK.
• Demonstrate good character (no serious criminal convictions).

Depending on your circumstances, you must meet all the other eligibility requirements. Schedule a consultation with our UK immigration solicitor for your eligibility assessments.

For eligibility assessment and assistance with your British citizenship application, call Vanguard Solicitors on 0208 616 5535 or fill in our contact form.

What are the residency requirements for British citizenship?

To be eligible, you must have:

• Lived in the UK for at least five years before applying.
• Not spent more than 450 days outside the UK in the last five years.
• Not spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months.

What documents are required for British citizenship?

You will need to provide:

1. Your valid passport.
2. Your BRP card, if you have one.
3. Proof of ILR or Settled Status.
4. Proof of continuous residence in the UK.
5. A list of all absences from the UK during the qualifying period.
6. Prove your knowledge of English (e.g., test certificate or degree).
7. Life in the UK test pass certificate.
8. Marriage certificate (if applying as a spouse of a British citizen).
9. Proof of good character.
10. Details of any criminal convictions or police cautions, if any.
11. Two referees' signed declarations.
12. UK citizenship application form and proof of fee payment.
13. Additional supporting documents depending on your circumstances.

Failure to provide the required documents for your British citizenship application could result in refusal or delays in processing.

If you're unsure about the required documents for your British citizenship application, call our UK citizenship solicitors now at 0208 616 5535.

How to apply for British citizenship after ILR?

You can apply for British citizenship after holding Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) either online or by post.

Apply for British citizenship online

• Visit the UK Government Website for British citizenship applications.
• Fill out the online form with all your details.
• Upload digital copies of the required documents.
• Book your biometric appointment.
• Pay the application fee of £1,630.
• Once everything is filled out and payment is made, submit your application online.
• Attend your biometric appointment.
• Wait for the decision, typically 3 to 6 months.

If approved, you will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony where you will swear an oath of allegiance.

Apply for British citizenship by post

• Download the British citizenship application form.
• Complete the form by hand or on a computer and print it.
• Gather all the required documents.
• Send the completed form along with the required documents to the address specified on the form.
• Include a cheque or postal order for the application fee (currently £1,630).
• After your application is submitted, you will receive instructions for a biometric appointment to provide your fingerprints and photo.
• Attend your biometric appointment.
• Wait for the decision, typically 3 to 6 months.

After receiving your citizenship approval, you will need to attend a citizenship ceremony. During the ceremony, you will take an oath of allegiance to the UK.

How much does it cost to apply for British citizenship after ILR?

The application fee for British citizenship after holding Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is £1,630 (as of 2025), and biometric appointments are free.

How long is the processing time for British citizenship?

British citizenship applications by naturalisation generally take 3 to 6 months to process. However, it may take longer depending on the complexity of your case.

You will usually be informed if this happens before the 6-month period ends. If more information is needed to process your application, the Home Office will contact you.

After receiving your British citizenship certificate

You are required to return your biometric residence permit (BRP) to the Home Office within 5 working days of receiving your certificate of British citizenship. Failure to return your permit within 5 working days may result in a fine of up to £1,000.

1. Cut your BRP into four pieces.
2. Place the pieces in an envelope without a window.
3. Include a note stating that you are returning your permit because you have become a British citizen. Make sure to add your name, date of birth, and the document number (found on the front of the card) in the note.

Send the permit to:

Naturalisation BRP Returns
PO Box 195
Bristol
BS20 1BT

Attending your citizenship ceremony

If you're 18 or older and have been granted British citizenship, you must attend a ceremony within 3 months of receiving your invitation from the Home Office.

Your local authority organises the ceremony, which is typically a group event, though you can request a private one. Be sure to bring your invitation and you may usually invite up to 2 guests.

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.

What happens if your British citizenship application is refused?

If your British citizenship application is refused, you will receive a letter explaining the reason. You may request reconsideration if you believe there was an error or reapply if your circumstances change.

How we help with British citizenship applications

• Assess your eligibility and explain the application process.
• Advice about the required supporting documents.
• Fill out British citizenship application forms accurately and thoroughly to avoid delays or rejections.
• Organise and submit the complete application package.
• Handle correspondence and enquiries with UKVI on behalf of the applicant.
• Track the application's progress, provide updates, and address any concerns to expedite processing.

How much do immigration lawyers charge for citizenship applications?

Our immigration solicitors in London charge a fixed fee between £1,000 - £1,500 for complete legal services regarding British citizenship application.

At Vanguard Solicitors, we offer affordable legal services related to British citizenship application on a fixed fee basis with no hidden costs or nasty financial surprises.

Contact solicitor for British citizenship application

If you need help with your British citizenship application, call our British citizenship solicitors in London on 0208 616 5535 or email info@vanguardlaw.co.uk.

FAQs about applying for British citizenship after ILR

References:

• GOV.UK: Apply for British citizenship after ILR
• GOV.UK: Apply for British citizenship online
• GOV.UK: Apply for British citizenship by post
• GOV.UK: Download the British citizenship application form
• GOV.UK: Life in the UK Test
• GOV.UK: Prove your knowledge of English for citizenship