The process of becoming a British citizen is known as ‘naturalisation’. As a naturalised British citizen, you will be eligible for a UK passport and have the same rights and privileges as a British person. You will be able to live, work, vote and access public funds in the UK. You will also be free of immigration control, which means you can travel into and out of the UK freely for the rest of your life, removing the need for a visa.

There are several different routes for naturalisation:

• Holding Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for at least 1 year
• Holding EU Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) for at least 1 year
• Being married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen and having lived in the UK for at least 3 years

The Home Office has stringent requirements for applicants seeking to acquire British citizenship. While each applicant’s situation may differ slightly, the requirements can be summarised as follows:

• You have held ILR/EU Settled status for at least 12 months. This is not necessary if you are married to a British citizen.
• You were physically present in the UK exactly 5 years before the date of your application. This would be 3 years if applying via the marriage route.
• Have spent at least 5 years of continuous residence in the UK, with no longer than 450 days outside the UK (270 for marriage route).
• Not have been absent for the UK for 90 days or more in the last 12 months.
• Good immigration history.
• Have passed Life in the UK test.
• English language skills to at least B1 level.
• Intend to make the UK your permanent home.
• Meet the ‘good character’ requirement, in relation to your criminal history, immigration history and financial status.
• You will need to provide two references.
• You will need to attend a Citizenship Ceremony, where you take an oath and make a pledge.

At a minimum you will need to provide the following evidence as part of your application. Your lawyer will advise of any further documents you need to supply to enhance the quality of your application.

• Your passport
• Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), residence card, or any proof that you hold Indefinite Leave to Remain or EU Settled Status..
• Evidence of your previous immigration status and your right to remain in the UK, including any visa that you held before you settled in the UK.
• Proof of English language and knowledge of life in the UK. You will receive a valid pass certificate after completing both the Life in the UK Test and the ESOL language exam. If you have already completed the Life in the UK Test when you obtained Indefinite Leave to Remain, you do not need to resit the exam.
• Travel details of any period of absence that you have spent outside the UK. 
• Evidence to satisfy the ‘good character’ test. 
• Two references from referees who have known you for at least 3 years and who are not related to you. 

The application fee for British citizenship is currently £1303 for each person who is applying. This can be subject to change but your lawyer will advise you of the total Home Office fees at the outset of our work with you, so you can ensure you have the funds available at the point of submitting your application. 

We offer a comprehensive range of services to assist with your British citizenship application. This includes a free initial consultation, detailed advice for your personal immigration lawyer, evidence checklist and document collection, application preparation and submission, handling interactions with immigration authorities, and guidance on the Home Office’s decision and next steps. We aim to make the naturalisation process as smooth and stress-free as possible for you.

If your British citizenship application is refused, it could be due to various reasons, such as errors in the application form, misunderstanding Home Office guidelines, incomplete details about absences from the UK, not meeting the ‘good character’ requirements, or not providing evidence of your English language skills

If your application is refused, review the Refusal Notice from the Home Office which describes the reasons your application has been denied. Most importantly, seek professional advice from an immigration lawyer to understand your options and increase your chances of success.