Requirements for British Citizenship Application

Becoming a British citizen is a significant milestone that grants individuals the right to live and work in the UK without any immigration controls.

Applicants for British citizenship must meet key requirements, including residency, good character, English language, the Life in the UK test, and more.

Understanding the requirements and following the correct British citizenship application steps will help ensure a smooth process. If you need professional guidance, our team of immigration solicitors in London is here to help.

Need help understanding British citizenship eligibility criteria and requirements? Call our immigration solicitors at 0208 616 5535 for expert advice.

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Ways to obtain British citizenship

You can obtain British citizenship through either Naturalisation or Registration, though each has different eligibility and residency requirements.

Naturalisation is for people who have lived in the UK for a qualifying period, while registration is for those with certain UK connections or special conditions.

Who is eligible to apply for British citizenship by naturalisation?

You may be eligible for British citizenship if you:

• Have lived in the UK for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a British citizen).
• Hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Settled Status for at least 12 months.
• Meet the good character
• Pass the Life in the UK Test and meet the English language requirement.

The residency period is a key requirement. You must have lived in the UK for at least five years before applying. But, if you're married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you only need three years. It's important not to spend too much time outside the UK, as this can affect your eligibility.

Applicants must also have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Settled Status, or Indefinite Leave to Enter the UK for at least 12 months before applying. ILR or Settled Status shows you have permanent residence in the UK. If you're applying as a spouse, you can apply for citizenship right away after getting ILR, without waiting a full 12 months.

Applicants must also show they have good character. This means no serious criminal record, immigration fraud, or dishonest behaviour. Any legal issues, like serious debts or tax problems, will be checked during the application.

Applicants must also pass the Life in the UK Test and meet the English language requirement. The Life in the UK Test checks your knowledge of British history and culture. The English language requirement ensures you can communicate well in the UK. This can be shown by passing an English test (B1 level or higher) or having a degree taught in English.

What are the requirements for British citizenship?

You can apply for British citizenship by naturalisation if you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and have had Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Settled Status, or Indefinite Leave to Enter the UK for at least 12 months.

You must:

• be at least 18 years old
• have held ILR or Settled Status for at least 12 months
• have lived in the UK for 5 years continuously
• not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK in the last 5 years
• not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months before applying
• 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
• be of 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.

Requirements for British citizenship through marriage

If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, the UK citizenship application requirements differ slightly.

• You must be at least 18 years old
• You are married to a British citizen
• You have lived in the UK for 3 years continuously
• You should not have spent more than 270 days outside the UK during the 3 years before your application
• You should not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months
• 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
• be of good character (no serious criminal convictions)

You must all other requirements depending on your circumstances.

Call Vanguard Solicitors now on 0208 616 5535 for your eligibility assessments and assistance with your British citizenship application.

Requirements for registration of a child as a British citizen under section 1(3)

Children are entitled to registration under section 1(3) of the British Nationality Act 1981 if:

• they were born in the UK
• they were not British citizens at birth because at the time neither parent was a British citizen nor settled
• while they are minors either of the parents has since become a British citizen or settled in the UK
• they are under the age of 18 on the date the application is received
• they are of good character if over the age of 10

Applicant must all other eligibility requirements depending on their circumstances.

Residency requirements for British citizenship

If applying for British citizenship by naturalisation, 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

If applying for British citizenship through marriage, you must have:

• lived in the UK for at least three years before applying
• not spent more than 270 days outside the UK in the last five years
• not spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months

Life in the UK test for British citizenship

The Life in the UK Test is a mandatory requirement for those applying for British citizenship. It assesses your knowledge of British history, culture, traditions, and everyday life.

If you have already passed the Life in the UK Test as part of your ILR application, you do not need to retake it.

To prove you have passed the Life in the UK test, you must submit:

• The Life in the UK Test Pass Certificate

Applicants under 18 or over 65 years old on the application date are exempt from the Life in the UK knowledge requirement.

English language requirements for British citizenship

Unless exempt, you need to prove your knowledge of the English language if you’re 18 or over and applying for British citizenship.

You can prove your knowledge of the English language by:

• Passing an approved English test (B1, B2, C1 or C2 level).
• Holding a degree taught in English.
• Being from a majority English-speaking country (such as the USA, Canada, Australia).

The good character requirements for UK naturalisation

Proof of good character is a key requirement for a British citizenship application.

You may need to provide:

• Criminal Record: Clean record, disclose any convictions
• Immigration History: Compliance with UK immigration laws
• Financial Responsibility: No significant debts or unpaid fines
• References: Character references from reputable individuals
• Adherence to UK Laws: Evidence of following laws and positive contributions

What documents are required for British citizenship?

When applying for British citizenship by naturalisation, you will need to provide:

1. Your valid passport or travel document.
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. Completed British citizenship application form.
13. Proof of citizenship application fee paid.
14. 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 much does it cost to apply for British citizenship?

The application fee for British citizenship by naturalisation 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.

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 have any questions about British citizenship requirements, contact our solicitors in London at 0208 616 5535 or email info@vanguardlaw.co.uk.