Naturalisation as a British Citizen

You can apply for citizenship once you have held settled status/indefinite leave to remain for 12 months – unless you are married to a British citizen, in which case you can apply as soon as you acquire settled status/indefinite leave to remain.

Applicants who want to apply for naturalisation as a British citizen must demonstrate that:

·        they are over 18 years old;

·        they are of good character and sound mind;

·        they have sufficient knowledge of English language and have passed a Life in the UK test;

·        they have not broken any immigration laws whilst in the UK;

·        they intend to make the UK their main home;

·        they are settled in the UK and have been free from immigration control for at least 12 months unless married to a British citizen.

·        they have lived in the UK for at least five years before the date of application; and

·        they have spent fewer than 450 days outside the UK during the five year period.

If an applicant is married or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, then the residency requirement is three years. In this case, the applicant must demonstrate that:

·        they have lived in the UK for at least three years before the date of application; and

·        they have spent less than 270 days outside the UK during the three years.

The Home Office will sometimes make allowances for absences which exceed the stated limit where there are mitigating circumstances.

To enquire about our immigration services, you can email us or call 07599 472568, 07955365765.