UK Visa Bureau   »   UK Citizenship   »  British Citizenship and Naturalisation

British Citizenship and Naturalisation

There are strict rules governing who is eligible for British citizenship. Generally, applicants are eligible to apply for British citizenship following a period of  Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK

Unless your are already British citizens by decent (with a qualifying parent born in the UK), all adults must register or naturalise in order to earn British citizenship.

Additionally, applicants for British citizenship must complete the Life in the UK test.

British Citizenship Requirements

Married to a UK Citizen

  • Must have been in the UK for 3 years and have ILR.
  • Must have been living in the UK at the start of the 3 years.
  • Must not have been absent from the UK for more than 270 days in those 3 years.
  • Must not have been absent from the UK for more than 90 days in 12 months before application.
  • Must be of good character.
  • Must pass the Life in the UK test.
  • Must have sufficient knowledge of English, Welsh or Gaelic.
  • Must intend to live in the UK.
 

Not Married to a UK Citizen

  • Must have been in the UK for 5 years and a permanent resident with ILR for the last year.
  • Must not have been absent more than 450 days during that period.
  • Must not have been absent for more than 90 days in the last 12 months.
  • Must be of good character.
  • Must pass the Life in the UK test.
  • Must have sufficient knowledge of English, Welsh or Gaelic.
  • Must intend to live in the UK.

Alternatively, individuals who were born between 1961 and 1983 to a British mother may be eligible to register straight away as a British citizen.