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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 they are already British citizens by descent, all adults must register or naturalise in order to earn British citizenship.

• The UK Citizenship application process can be started online. Take the Online UK Citizenship Assessment to See if You Qualify.

UK Citizenship Requirements

Applicants who are married to a British Citizen must:

• Have been in the UK for 3 years and have ILR on the date of application.
• Have been living in the UK at the start of those 3 years.
• Not have been absent from the UK for more than 270 days in those 3 years.
• Not have been absent from the UK for more than 90 days in 12 months before application.
• Be of good character.
• Pass the Life in the UK test.
• Have sufficient knowledge of English, Welsh or Gaelic.
• Have an intention to live in the UK.

 Find out if you are eligible for UK Citizenship.

Applicants who are not married to a British Citizen must:

• Have been in the UK for 5 years. The last year of that having been as a permanent resident with ILR.
• Not have been absent for more than 450 days in that period.
• Not have been absent for more than 90 days in the 12 months before application.
• Be of good character.
• Pass the Life in the UK test.
• Have sufficient knowledge of English, Welsh or Gaelic.
• Have an intention to live in the UK.

 Click here to start your UK Citizenship application.

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