Overview

Applying for British citizenship by naturalisation is a significant milestone that grants an individual full freedom to live and work in the United Kingdom. Once naturalised, you are no longer subject to immigration control or residence conditions, and you gain the same rights as a person born a British citizen.

In most cases, you must have held Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Permanent Residence for at least 12 months before applying to naturalise.

Immigration Requirements

To qualify for British citizenship through naturalisation, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Be aged 18 or over on the date of application.

• Be of sound mind (full mental capacity).

• Intend to make the UK your principal home.

• Have sufficient knowledge of English.

• Have sufficient knowledge of life in the UK.

• Be of good character.

• Meet the residence requirements.

• Provide two referees as part of the application.
  

Age Requirement

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

• Those under 18 cannot apply for naturalisation but may apply for registration as a British citizen, depending on their birthplace and parents’ immigration status at birth.

Full Capacity

Applicants must not be of unsound mind, meaning they should understand the purpose and consequences of the application.

• This requirement can be waived if the Secretary of State considers it in the applicant’s best interests to grant citizenship.
  

Intention to Reside in the UK

Applicants must intend to make the UK their main home.

• The Home Office will consider an applicant’s past behaviour and ties to the UK as evidence of this intent.

• After naturalisation, there is no legal requirement to continue residing in the UK — once granted, citizenship is permanent.

Knowledge of English Language

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to speak, read, write and understand English to at least B1 level on the CEFR scale.
This can be shown by:

• Passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT).

• Holding a degree taught in English.

• Being a citizen of a majority English-speaking country (e.g. USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand).

Applicants may reuse an expired B1 English certificate if it was accepted for their previous ILR application.

Exemptions apply for:

• Applicants aged 65 or over.

• Those with long-term physical or mental conditions preventing them from taking the test.

• Children under 18 (if applying for registration).

Life in the UK Test

Applicants must pass the Life in the UK Test, which assesses knowledge of British history, culture, and values.

• The test must be taken at an approved test centre.

• Exemptions apply to:

  • Applicants over 65 years old.

  • Those with serious physical or mental conditions preventing them from taking the test.

  • Children under 18 applying for registration.

Good Character Requirement

Applicants must demonstrate good character, meaning:

• No serious or recent criminal convictions.

• No record of immigration offences (including illegal entry or overstaying).

• Full and honest disclosure of all criminal and civil matters.

The Home Office assesses each case individually, but as of 10 February 2025, applications involving illegal entry will normally be refused, regardless of when the entry occurred.

Convictions abroad are treated as if they occurred in the UK. Minor offences may be disregarded at the Secretary of State’s discretion.

Residence Requirements

Applicants must normally show that they:

• Have been lawfully resident in the UK for at least 5 years before the date of application.

• Have not spent more than:

  • 450 days outside the UK in the last 5 years, and

  • 90 days outside the UK in the 12 months preceding the application.
    

Discretionary exceptions apply:

• Absences of up to 480 days may be disregarded in most cases.

• Absences up to 900 days may be allowed if:

  • The applicant has strong family, home, and business ties in the UK, and

  • Has been resident for 7–8 years, depending on the extent of absences.

• Absences over 900 days are rarely excused and may result in refusal.

References

Each application must include two referees who have known the applicant for at least 3 years.

• One referee must be a British citizen and either a professional person or over 25.

• The other must be a person of professional standing (e.g. doctor, accountant, architect).
  

Referees cannot:

• Be related to the applicant or each other.

• Be employed by the Home Office.

• Be the applicant’s solicitor or representative.

• Have received an unspent criminal conviction in the past 10 years.

Documents Required

Applicants will typically need to provide:

• Passport or travel document.

• Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).

• Proof of ILR or settled status.

• English language qualification or degree taught in English.

• Life in the UK Test pass certificate.

• Evidence of residence (tenancy agreements, payslips, utility bills).

• Details of absences from the UK during the qualifying period.

• Two signed referee declarations.

Processing Times

• Standard processing time: around 6 months.

• Priority service (if available): around 5 working days for an additional fee.
  Delays can occur if the Home Office requests additional evidence or clarification.

Home Office Fees (as of October 2025)

• Naturalisation application fee: £1,630

• Biometric enrolment: £19.20

• Priority service (optional): £500
  There is no refund if the application is refused. Dependants must apply separately if eligible.

Appeals (for applications submitted inside the UK)

If an application for naturalisation is refused:

• Applicants may request a review or appeal within 10 working days of receiving the decision.

• No new evidence can be submitted — only materials originally included in the application will be considered.

• Professional legal assistance is strongly recommended before lodging an appeal.

Applying for British citizenship - naturalisation