What is Naturalisation?

British naturalisation is the process by which a foreign national becomes a British Citizen. It is also referred to as obtaining British citizenship. Naturalisation allows individuals not born British citizens or entitled to British citizenship by descent to acquire citizenship through an application process. Once obtained, the holder enjoys the same rights and privileges as any other British citizen. This means no further immigration control, the right to live and work in the UK freely, plus access to public funds where appropriate.

Naturalisation is the final step in the UK’s immigration journey and provides the opportunity to obtain a British passport. To get to this final step, you need to have one of the following immigration statuses:

• Hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and have done so for a minimum of one year.
• Possess EU Settled Status through the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) and have done so for at least one year.
• Be married to, in a civil partnership, or the unmarried partner of a British citizen and have resided in the UK for a minimum of three years.

If you hold one of the above statuses, you can consider applying. However, before applying, you should check your eligibility against the full requirements, which we examine below.

The Requirements for Naturalisation

You can make an application for British Citizenship by naturalisation if you can meet the criteria set down below.

• Age: You must be at least 18 years old to apply for naturalisation. There are special provisions for minors and individuals with British parents.
• Residence: You have not left the UK for more than 450 days in total in the last 5 years and have not left the UK for more than 90 days in total in the previous 12 months before applying for British Citizenship. If you are the partner of a British national, the time outside the UK rule is slightly different. You must not have left the UK for more than 270 days during the last 3 years and must not have left the UK for more than 90 days in total in the 12 months before applying for British Citizenship.
• Present in the UK: You must prove that you were physically present in the UK 5 years previous to your date of application. If you applied on 1st June 2023, you must have been in the UK on 2nd June 2018. Where you are the partner of a British National, this same rule applies. However, you must have been physically present in the UK 3 years previous to your date of application.
• Future in the UK: You must intend to make the UK your permanent home and have no plans to leave the country in the foreseeable future.
• Good Character: You must demonstrate that you have a good character, which involves no adverse immigration history, paying taxes, and not having any serious criminal convictions.
• Sound Mind: You are of sound mind and understand the step you’re taking and the implications it may have on any other nationalities you hold.
• Life in the UK Test: You must have passed the Life in the UK Test.
• English Language Requirement: You must demonstrate your knowledge of the English language.

It’s important to note that the criteria for obtaining British Citizenship through Naturalisation differ slightly depending on whether you are a British citizen’s partner. It’s important to ensure you’re assessing your eligibility based on the correct criteria.

Understanding Each of the Naturalisation Requirements

The Future in the UK Requirement

Under this requirement, you must confirm your intention to continue residing in the UK in the event of a successful application.

This requirement is typically satisfied by self-declaration, providing no circumstances raise doubts about your intentions. Such circumstances could include:

• Having a partner who currently lives or plans to live outside the UK.
• You have recently been absent from the UK for 6 months or longer.

Where such circumstances occur, you must provide supplementary evidence to demonstrate that the UK is your permanent home and will remain so for the foreseeable future.

The Good Character Requirement

The British Nationality Act 1981 includes a legal requirement stating that individuals seeking to naturalise as British citizens must possess good character. This entails adhering to UK laws and demonstrating respect for the rights and freedoms of its citizens.

It is important to be truthful in your application and consistent with previous applications. Where there are any potential issues, it is important to supply supplementary evidence to address the issue. Verification checks are conducted to ensure the accuracy of the information provided. This could involve checks with different government departments, such as HMRC, to ensure you’ve been paying taxes.

The Sound Mind Requirement

This requirement aims to ensure that you can comprehend the consequences of your decision to become a British citizen through naturalisation. There is flexibility to consider exceptions to this requirement in specific situations deemed advantageous for the applicant.

For example, if you are submitting an application on behalf of an individual who lacks mental capacity and for whom you have caregiving responsibilities, you can provide pertinent information regarding the person’s medical condition and your role as their caregiver during the application process.

The Life in the UK Test Requirement

Meeting the life in the UK requirement entails successfully passing the Life in the UK Test, which tests your understanding of British customs, traditions, laws, and the political system. As the Life in the UK Test is a requirement for Indefinite Leave to Remain, you should have already passed the test. The same test can also be used for your naturalisation application.

You must provide the reference number indicated on your pass certificate as part of the application process. In general, it is not necessary to physically submit the certificate itself.

The English Language Requirement

In order to meet the language requirements for naturalisation, you must have sufficient speaking and listening proficiency in English, Welsh, or Scottish Gaelic. This requirement is separate from the Life in the UK requirement, and both must be fulfilled.

To satisfy the language requirement, you have the following options:

• Home Office approved English language test:
  – You can provide an English language qualification from the Secure English Language Test list at B1 CEFR level or higher. Only qualifications from this list will be accepted as evidence of meeting the B1-level English requirement.
  – When applying, clearly state the test number, as there is no need to physically submit evidence of any English language test taken after April 6, 2015. You should include the unique reference number (URN) on your application form.
  – Test results are valid for two years from the test date.
• UK degree certificate:
  – If you have a UK academic qualification equivalent to a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree taught in English, you are not required to provide a formal speaking and listening qualification. However, you need to provide your degree certificate.
• Degree certificate from an English-speaking country:
  – If your degree was taught or researched in a majority English-speaking country, you are not required to provide a formal speaking and listening qualification. However you need an Academic Qualification Level Statement (AQUALS) from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) to confirm its equivalence to a UK qualification.
  – For degrees from non-majority English-speaking countries, you require both an AQUALS and an English Language Proficiency Statement (ELPS) from Ecctis, showing that your degree was taught in English.
• UK postgraduate diploma or graduate diploma:
  – Postgraduate diplomas from UK universities, such as PGDip, PG Dip, PgD, or PgDip, are acceptable as an alternative to an English language test.
  – However, professional diplomas without an undergraduate degree requirement cannot be considered.
• Passport from a majority English-speaking country:
  – If you are a national of a country on the majority English-speaking country list (e.g., USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, etc.), you are not required to provide a formal speaking and listening qualification.
  – Details on the full list of the majority English speaking countries are available in our knowledge centre.

Applying for Naturalisation

The application process for British Citizenship via naturalisation is now fully digital, greatly simplifying the process. It also means you don’t need to send physical documents with your application.

The process is as follows:

• Complete the application form: Fill out the naturalisation application form (Form AN) via the Home Office website. You will need to complete personal details, employment information, and details about any dependants. You must provide 2 references as well (one personal and one professional).
• Pay the application fee: This is £1,580 unless you meet the exempt criteria.
• Schedule a biometric appointment: You’ll also need to select a date to provide your biometric information at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre.
• Submit your application: You can now submit your finalised application.
• Upload your documents: You should upload all of your supporting documents before your biometric appointment.
• Attend your biometric appointment: Attend the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre and provide them with your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo).
• Wait for a decision: Processing times for naturalisation applications aren’t quick, and it typically takes 3-6 months for a decision to be made.
• Receive your decision: All being well, your application will be approved. You will then be required to book an appointment with the local Council for a Citizenship Ceremony.
• Citizenship ceremony: At the citizenship ceremony, you will take an oath or affirmation of allegiance to the UK and be presented with a certificate of British citizenship. You are now officially a British citizen.

Following your attendance at the citizenship ceremony, you can apply for a British Passport. Separate fees apply for this application.

Naturalisation Document Checklist

The supporting documents for your British citizenship application will vary by case, however, a typical application would require the following documents:

• Proof of identity: Typically, your passport or national identity card.
• Proof of ILR: This could be your resident permit or ILR award letter.
• Proof you have met the English language requirement: This could be in the form of an approved English language test, degree certificate, or passport from a majority English-speaking country.
• Proof you have passed the Life in the UK Test: You need the reference number from your test certificate.
• Additional documentation: Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) and history of any previous visa awards should also be included.

Once you have submitted your application, you can digitally upload your supporting documentation. This means that your passport and other documents don’t need to be held by the Home Office, allowing you to continue your life in the UK without hindrance. This also includes overseas travel, which is allowed while the application is pending.

Naturalisation Cost and Application Fees

The application fee for Naturalisation is currently £1,735. There may also be an additional fee for submitting your biometric data, depending on the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre you select. Free appointments are available but often limited in availability. When submitting your application online, you can select a date for your biometric appointment.

There are no other fees payable as part of your naturalisation application. The NHS Immigration Health Surcharge does not apply once you have obtained Indefinite Leave to Remain. No priority services are available for naturalisation, so you cannot pay a higher fee to expedite the application.

You can apply for a British Passport after achieving British Citizenship, which costs £82.50 for a standard 34-page passport. If you want to apply by post rather than online, this will cost you the higher price of £93.

Processing Time for Naturalisation Applications

The processing time for a naturalisation application is typically 3 to 6 months. This long time reflects the various checks and verification procedures that must be undertaken before an application can be approved. Due to the extent of the checks that are undertaken, no express service is available to expedite your application.

However, on a more positive note, as your application is submitted online and you can submit your documents digitally, you can continue your life as normal. This includes leaving the country for international travel while the application is pending.

What Happens Once my Naturalisation Application is Approved?

Once your British naturalisation application is approved, you have a couple more steps to complete before officially becoming a British Citizen.

The first of these steps is to wait for a letter from the Home Office confirming the approval of your naturalisation application. This letter will include information about what happens now.

After receiving the approval letter, you will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony. This ceremony is a formal event where you will take an Oath of Allegiance and pledge loyalty to the UK, expressing your commitment to uphold the country’s rights, freedoms, and laws.

You will also receive your Certificate of Naturalisation during your ceremony. You are now officially a British Citizen, and you can use your Certificate of Naturalisation to make an application for a British Passport.

Applying for a British Passport

To apply for a British passport, you need to complete the following steps:

• Application Form: Complete the passport application form. This can be done online using the official government website, or you can obtain a paper application form from a Post Office branch that offers the Check & Send service.
• Supporting Documents: Gather the required supporting documents. This will include your Certificate of Naturalisation, proof of identity (such as a valid UK driving license or a valid UK biometric residence permit), and two identical passport photos that meet the specific requirements. Additional documents could be required depending on your circumstances.
• References: Provide details of two referees who have known you for at least two years. They should not be family members and should be willing to be contacted to confirm your identity.
• Payment: Pay the application fee of £82.50 for online applications or £93 for postal applications.
• Submit Application: Submit your completed application form, supporting documents, and payment. If you have applied online, you may need to send your supporting documents separately by mail or use a digital service to provide them. If using a paper application, you can submit it in person at a participating Post Office branch or send it by mail.
• Processing and Collection: Once your application is submitted, it will be processed by HM Passport Office. Their guidance suggests processing times of up to 10 weeks, but many applications are processed much quicker than this. Try to avoid applying for a passport in the run-up to summer, which is the busiest time of the year.