Naturalisation Process Explained
Who is eligible?
In addition to the two main routes listed below, there are alternative routes if you are serving outside the UK in Crown service under the Government of the UK or if you are the spouse or civil partner of a person in Crown service.
If you ARE NOT married to nor in a civil partnership with a British citizen
You must have lived in the UK for at least 5 years in order to meet the residency requirement and have spent no more than 450 days outside the UK.In the last 12 months you must not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK.
You will also need to show that during those 5 years you have not been in breach of any immigration law. You must be free of immigration control, i.e. you must have held indefinite leave to remain or permanent residence for the final 12 month period of your 5 year period of residency.
If you ARE married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen
You must have lived in the UK for 3 years in order to meet the residency requirement and spent no more than 270 days outside the UK in that period. In the last 12 months you must not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK. You will also need to show that during those 3 years you have not been in breach of any immigration rules.
Please note that for this category there is no requirement to have held ILR/permanent residency for 12 months and applicants can apply for naturalisation as soon as they secure ILR/permanent residency status.
Requirements for naturalisation
Naturalisation is only available to adults. Therefore, you must be 18 years old or over at the time the application is made for British citizenship.
This requirement is to ensure that you understand the steps you are taking in applying for Naturalisation.
In the past, the Home Office would consider an applicant was of good character providing they didn’t have a criminal record. However, from January 2015, Home Office guidance changed and other factors will be considered relevant to a good character assessment including, an applicant’s adverse immigration history.
To prove your knowledge of language in the UK is sufficient, you must be able to show that you have obtained a speaking and listening qualification at level B1 or higher or an equivalent qualification. This qualification must have been obtained at a test centre which is approved by the Home Office.
Another way of meeting this requirement is by having a suitable academic qualification taught in the UK at degree level or by having a suitable academic qualification taught overseas in English which is deemed by UK NARIC to be compatible with a UK degree.
You will not be required to meet this requirement if you are a national of a majority English speaking country.
To prove your knowledge of life in the UK is sufficient, you must be able to show that you have passed a Life in the UK Test.
Please note that if you have already passed the Life in the UK Test for your Indefinite Leave to Remain application, you will not be required to sit and pass the test again.
This requirement aims to ensure that you have not already decided to break links with the UK once citizenship has been obtained. You must intend if granted Naturalisation as a British citizen to make your home in the UK or enter or continue in Crown service under the Government.
The UK does allow its citizens to hold dual nationality so you will not be required to give up your current passport if you are naturalised in the UK. However, some countries will not allow their nationals to hold dual nationality and may revoke your citizenship once you have become a British citizen.
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