British Citizenship by Marriage
You can apply for British citizenship by marriage if you are an adult (aged 18 or over), married to a British citizen, and meet the relevant criteria.
British citizenship grants individuals the right to live and work in the United Kingdom indefinitely. Before starting your British citizenship application, it's important to understand the requirements set by the UK government for obtaining British citizenship. Meeting these criteria is key to a successful application.
If you are considering applying for British citizenship by marriage, our team of immigration solicitors will tailor our services to your specific needs. We offer personalised consultations to assess your eligibility, review your documents, and provide thorough guidance on the UK citizenship application process.
Do you need help with your British citizenship application? Contact our immigration solicitors by calling 0208 616 5535 or filling out our online contact form. We are here to guide you every step of the way.
Table of Contents
- What is British citizenship by marriage?
- Requirements for British citizenship by marriage
- British citizenship document checklist
- How to apply for British citizenship by marriage?
- British citizenship processing time
- Citizenship Ceremony
- How can we help with British citizenship applications?
- Contact UK immigration solicitors today
What is British citizenship by marriage?
British citizenship by marriage is not automatically conferred upon individuals who marry British citizens. However, marriage to a British citizen can potentially provide a pathway to British citizenship through naturalisation, provided certain eligibility criteria are met.
To apply for British citizenship through marriage, the non-British spouse typically needs to have lived in the UK for a specified period, usually at least three years, and hold indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or settled status. Additionally, they must meet other requirements including demonstrating good character, passing the Life in the UK test, and meeting English language proficiency standards.
Requirements for British citizenship by marriage
You can apply for British citizenship by Marriage as soon as you have one of the following:
- Indefinite leave to remain in the UK
- Settled status (also known as 'indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme')
- Indefinite leave to enter the UK (permission to move to the UK permanently from abroad)
To be eligible to apply for British citizenship, you must also meet other eligibility requirements, such as:
- You must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
- You are married to, or in a civil partnership with, someone who is a British citizen.
- You have lived in the UK for at least 3 years before the date of your application, without excess absences.
- You must prove you were in the UK exactly 3 years before the day the Home Office receives your application.
- You may need to prove your proficiency in the English language, depending on your nationality.
- You must pass the Life in the UK test, which assesses your knowledge of British culture, history, and society.
- You must demonstrate that you are of good character, which generally means you have not committed any serious criminal offences.
Depending on the type of your appication and circumstances, you must meet all the other eligibility requirements. Schedule a consultation with our UK immigration solicitor for your eligibility assessments.
British citizenship document checklist
When you apply for British citizenship you must provide:
- a current passport or other valid travel document to prove your identity
- biometric residence permit (if you have been issued a BRP)
- proof you have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status
- evidence that you have been continuously resident in the UK for the required period
- Travel history and list of absences from the UK
- evidence of English language proficiency
- evidence that you have passed the Life in the UK test
The document checklist provided above is not exhaustive, and additional documents may be required depending on the type of your UK visa application and your circumstances. Schedule a consultation with our UK immigration solicitor to get a comprehensive list of required documents and eligibility assessments.
How to apply for British citizenship by marriage?
You can apply to become a British citizen by naturalisation online or by post using the form AN.
Applying for British citizenship involves several steps, here is a general outline of the application process:
- Determine Eligibility: Before applying for British citizenship, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for UK citizenship.
- Preparing Documents: Gather all necessary documents, including a passport, biometric residence permit, proof of residence, evidence of English language proficiency, and any other supporting documents.
- Completing the Application Form: Fill out the application form carefully, providing accurate information about your immigration history, personal details, and reasons for applying for British citizenship.
- Booking Biometric Appointment: Schedule an appointment to have your biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) taken at a designated visa application centre.
- Submitting the Application: Submit your application online or by post, along with the required fee and supporting documents.
- Attending the Biometric Appointment: Attend your biometric appointment as scheduled, where your biometric data will be collected.
- Waiting for a Decision: Once your application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation of receipt. The Home Office will then process your application, which may take 3-6 months.
You must carefully follow the application instructions and provide accurate and complete information and documentation to avoid delays or refusal of your British citizenship application. If you have any questions or concerns about the application process, consider seeking guidance from our expert UK immigration solicitor in London.
British citizenship processing time
The processing time for a British nationality application can vary depending on various factors, including the complexity of your case and the current workload of the Home Office.
On average, it takes around 6 months to receive a decision on your British citizenship application. However, please note that this time frame is an estimate and the actual processing time may be longer or shorter.
The processing time for a UK visa or immigration application can vary depending on several factors. All the applicants are advised to check the latest information about application processing time on the official UK government website.
Citizenship Ceremony
If your application is successful, you'll be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony, where you'll make an oath or affirmation of allegiance to the United Kingdom and receive your certificate of British citizenship.
How can we help with British citizenship applications?
Immigration solicitors play a crucial role in assisting individuals with their British citizenship applications by providing expert guidance, legal advice, and representation throughout the application process. Here's how immigration solicitors can help:
- Initial Consultation: Our immigration solicitors offer an initial consultation where we assess the individual's circumstances and eligibility. During this consultation, we provide an overview of the British citizenship application process, requirements, and potential challenges.
- Document Preparation: Our immigration solicitors guide applicants through the preparation of required documents, ensuring they are accurate, complete, and compliant with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements.
- Application Form Completion: Our solicitors will fill in the British citizenship application form(s) accurately and thoroughly to avoid any delays or rejection. We provide guidance on answering questions in the application form, providing necessary information, and disclosing any relevant details required by the UKVI.
- Application Submission: We will compile and organise your British citizenship application package and submit your application to the UKVI or relevant immigration authorities. We ensure that all required documents are included, application fees are paid, and submission deadlines are met.
- Communication with Authorities: Our immigration solicitors act as intermediaries between the applicant and the UKVI, representing the applicant's interests and communicating with immigration authorities on their behalf. We handle any correspondence, requests for additional information, or enquiries from the UKVI throughout the application process.
- Follow-Up and Monitoring: We monitor the progress of the British citizenship application and provide updates to the applicant as needed. We follow up with immigration authorities to expedite the processing of the application and address any issues or concerns that may arise during the assessment period.
Contact UK immigration solicitors today
If you require expert legal advice or assistance with any type of British citizenship application, don't hesitate to contact us today. Our team of highly experienced UK immigration solicitors is here to guide you every step of the way.
To schedule a consultation with our UK immigration law solicitors in London, please call us on 0208 616 5535 or contact us through our online contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions (British Citizenship by Marriage)
No, marriage to a British citizen does not automatically confer British citizenship upon the non-British spouse. However, it may provide a pathway to citizenship through naturalisation, subject to meeting certain eligibility criteria.
The residency requirements typically involve living in the UK for a specified period. You must have lived in the UK for at least 3 years before the date of your application, without excess absences.
Yes, applicants usually need to pass the Life in the UK test, which assesses their knowledge of British customs, traditions, and institutions. Additionally, English language proficiency tests may be required, depending on the applicant's age, nationality and circumstances.
To schedule a consultation, you can contact our office by phone (0208 616 5535) or email (info@vanguardlaw.co.uk). Alternatively, you can fill out the online contact form, and a member of our team will reach out to you promptly to arrange a suitable time for a consultation.