Section A: What is Naturalisation?
British naturalisation is the legal process by which a non-British individual can apply to become a British citizen. It is one of the main routes for those who have made the UK their long-term home and want to settle permanently with full rights.
In most cases, you will be looking at naturalisation after a period of lawful residence in the UK and once you hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status.
With British citizenship, you can apply for a British passport, vote and live and work in the UK free from immigration controls.
1. UK naturalisation overview
Naturalisation is usually the final stage in a longer immigration journey. You first need a qualifying period of lawful residence in the UK, usually five years or three years if you are applying on the basis of marriage to a British citizen.
You then need ILR, Indefinite Leave to Enter or full settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
If you are not married to a British citizen, you normally need to have held ILR or settled status for at least 12 months on the date you apply. You also have to meet strict rules on absences, pass the Life in the UK test, meet the English language requirement, show that you intend to make the UK your principal home and satisfy the good character requirement.
Because the naturalisation fee is high and effectively non-refundable once the application is accepted as valid, it is important to treat this as a single-attempt application and only apply when you are confident you meet the rules.
2. British naturalisation & dual nationality
Before applying to naturalise as a British citizen, you should also confirm if your existing country of nationality permits citizens to hold dual citizenship with the UK. As some countries do not permit citizens to hold two nationalities, it will be important to understand the impact of British Naturalisation on your current nationality.
In some jurisdictions, citizenship may be lost automatically once you acquire another nationality.
In others, you may be required to apply for permission in advance or to take active steps to retain your original citizenship. It is sensible to check with your consulate or an adviser in your home country before you submit your British naturalisation application, so you are clear about the consequences for your existing passport and rights.
3. British naturalisation for EU nationals
EU nationals who arrived in the UK prior to 31 December 2020 generally have to obtain full EU settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme before they can become eligible for British citizenship. Time spent in the UK lawfully before settled status was granted can usually count towards the three or five year residence requirement, provided the underlying conditions for residence were met. In most cases, if you are not married to a British citizen you then need to have held settled status for at least 12 months on the date of your application. If you are married to a British citizen, you can usually apply as soon as you have settled status, as long as you meet the three year residence and other naturalisation rules.
EU nationals who arrived in the UK under the new points-based immigration system must have obtained lawful status through a relevant visa, and can only become eligible for naturalisation if their visa route allows this. For example, Skilled Worker and spouse visa holders can become eligible for naturalisation after five continuous years of UK residency, subject to holding ILR or settled status and meeting the other criteria, while those on a visitor visa are not on a direct path to UK ILR.
Some routes only lead to limited leave and do not provide a route to settlement or naturalisation, so it is important to check the long-term position of your current visa if British citizenship is your objective.
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
Naturalisation is the stage where every part of your immigration history becomes relevant again. UKVI will re-examine your entire record, including HMRC data, criminal history and your travel in and out of the UK. Before you look to build or submit your application, make every effort to ensure you are eligible for citizenship and that your submission is comprehensive, complete and compelling to satisfy the Home Office that you meet every requirement.
Section B: British Naturalisation Requirements
You have to meet certain legal requirements to be naturalised as a British citizen. These requirements sit on top of each other, so you need to satisfy the residence and absence rules, hold the right immigration status, pass the Life in the UK test where required, meet the English language requirement, show you intend to make the UK your main home and satisfy the good character test. If you are applying on the standard five year route rather than as the spouse of a British citizen, you will usually need to show the following:
a. In the 12 months immediately prior to your application, you have not been away from the UK for more than 90 days.
b. During this qualifying 12 month period, you have not been subject to any time restrictions on your stay in the UK.
c. You were present in the UK on the exact date five years prior to making your citizenship application.
d. During this qualifying five year period, you have not been absent from the UK for more than 450 days.
e. During this qualifying five year period, you did not breach any UK immigration laws.
f. You are of good character.
g. You have sufficient knowledge of life in the UK.
h. You have sufficient knowledge of the English language.
i. You intend to make the UK your permanent home.
The citizenship requirements also vary depending on whether you are married to a British citizen, with a shorter residency period for spouses of British citizens. The core tests still apply, but the qualifying residence period is usually three years rather than five years, and the 12 month ILR holding requirement does not apply.
| Route | Qualifying residence period | ILR / settled status requirement | Absence limits (headline) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard route (not married to a British citizen) | 5 years immediately before the application date | ILR, Indefinite Leave to Enter or settled status held for at least 12 months. No time limit on stay during the final 12 months. | No more than 450 days outside the UK in the 5 year period and no more than 90 days outside the UK in the final 12 months. |
| Spouse or civil partner of a British citizen | 3 years immediately before the application date | ILR, Indefinite Leave to Enter or settled status held on the date of application. No 12 month holding requirement. | No more than 270 days outside the UK in the 3 year period and no more than 90 days outside the UK in the final 12 months. |
| Shorter ILR route example (for certain work or talent routes) | Usually 3 or 5 years, depending on route to ILR | ILR required. If not married to a British citizen, ILR normally needs to be held for 12 months before applying for naturalisation. | Absence limits follow the standard rules for the relevant 3 or 5 year qualifying period. |
1. Age
You are 18 years old or over. Naturalisation is not available to children, although there may be separate registration routes for children depending on their circumstances and their parents’ immigration and citizenship position.
2. UK residence & valid status
The residency requirement for UK naturalisation sets out how long you must have lived in the UK before you can apply to become a British citizen. If you are not married to a British citizen, you must have lived in the UK for at least five years before the date of your application. In addition, you must have held Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme for at least 12 months before applying.
If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, the minimum residency period is three years, and you can apply for naturalisation as soon as you hold ILR, Indefinite Leave to Enter or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, provided you meet the other requirements. There is no need to wait a further 12 months in these circumstances.
You must have been physically present in the UK exactly five or three years before the date the Home Office receives your application, depending on which route you are applying under. Many applications fail because this date is miscalculated, so you should check carefully against your passport stamps, travel records and previous grants of leave.
You must have held valid and lawful immigration status during the qualifying residency period. Time spent in the UK unlawfully does not count towards the residency requirement. Continuous lawful residence is essential, and you must not have broken immigration rules during your qualifying period. This includes issues such as overstaying, working in breach of conditions or breaching immigration bail.
3. UK absences
The absence rule is one of the most common grounds for refused naturalisation applications. You cannot have excessive absences from the UK during the qualifying period. This means you must not have spent more than 90 days outside of the UK in the 12 months preceding the date of your application for British citizenship by naturalisation. You must also not have spent more than 450 days outside of the UK in the five years prior if you are not married to a British citizen. You must have spent no more than 270 days outside the UK in the three years before if you are married to a British citizen.
When calculating the number of days absent, the Home Office counts whole days spent outside the UK and does not usually include the day of departure from the UK or the day of return to the UK as absences. It is important to work from actual travel dates rather than estimates where possible, and to ensure your stated travel history is consistent with passport stamps, visas and HMRC or employer records.
| Basis of application | Qualifying period | Total absence limit | 12 month absence limit | Physical presence requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 5 year route (not married to a British citizen) | 5 years immediately before the application date | No more than 450 days outside the UK in the 5 year period. | No more than 90 days outside the UK in the final 12 months. | You must have been physically present in the UK exactly 5 years before the date the Home Office receives your application. |
| Spouse or civil partner of a British citizen | 3 years immediately before the application date | No more than 270 days outside the UK in the 3 year period. | No more than 90 days outside the UK in the final 12 months. | You must have been physically present in the UK exactly 3 years before the date the Home Office receives your application. |
4. Naturalisation test
You have to pass the Life in the UK test, unless you are exempt. The Life in the UK Test costs £50. You will be required to answer 24 multiple choice questions, and they will cover a wide range of subjects, such as British history, daily life, values and traditions.
To prepare for the test, you should use the Life in the UK Handbook, as this features the information about UK customs, culture and history that form the basis of the test questions. To pass, you need to score at least 18 (75%). You can retake the exam as often as necessary to pass. Each time you take the test, you will be charged the same fee.
The Life in the UK Test will not need to be passed again in order for you to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK or for naturalisation if you have already completed it and received a certificate. You will not need to take the Life in the UK Test if you have already passed the test for a previous Home Office application such as applying for ILR.
You will not be required to take the Life in the UK Test to obtain British nationality if you are under the age of 18 or above 65. Anyone with a chronic mental disease, physical impairment or both may apply for an exemption to the Life in the UK requirement. In practice, you will need strong medical evidence to support an exemption request and the Home Office will scrutinise it carefully.
5. English language
You must be able to demonstrate you have sufficient proficiency in one of the British languages, English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic, in order to be qualified to naturalise with British citizenship. For most applicants, this will mean proving English language ability at level B1 or above in speaking and listening.
The UKVI only recognises and accepts official English test qualifications from authorised test centres that offer Secure English Language Tests. You can take an approved test such as IELTS for UKVI, LanguageCert, Pearson PTE Home or Trinity College London (for tests taken in the UK), provided it is on the current Home Office approved list and at level B1 or above in speaking and listening. You will need to pass speaking and listening examinations to demonstrate your language proficiency. Other English language credentials, including NVQs and GCSEs, are not accepted for naturalisation purposes.
There are instances where applicants will not need to provide evidence of their language skills in order to be granted naturalisation. Some of these include:
- Where you can provide proof that you are fluent in English or another British language by showing that you have earned a degree where the language of instruction or research was English.
- Where you are 65 years of age or older.
- Where you have a serious, long-lasting bodily or mental condition that has negatively impacted you.
In order to avoid having to prove your English language ability for your naturalisation application, you may need to provide an Academic Qualification Level Statement (AQUALS), which attests to the equivalency of your qualification to a UK degree and the fact that it was taught in English. This is necessary if you have studied and earned a degree abroad. If your degree was obtained in the UK, different evidential rules apply and you may not need an AQUALS.
6. Residency intentions
You must intend to make the UK your permanent home. The Home Office will look at your current and planned circumstances, including where you and your immediate family live, where you work, whether you own or rent property, and whether you spend long periods abroad. If you plan to live mainly outside the UK after naturalisation, you may struggle to show that the UK is genuinely your principal home, so it is important to be consistent between what you state in the application and your wider plans.
7. Good character
You are of ‘good character’ and do not have a serious or recent criminal record and have not broken any immigration laws or conditions while in the UK. According to the British Nationality Act 1981, a person has to be of good character in order to naturalise as a British citizen. The term “good character” is not defined in the Act, but the Home Office guidelines outline how caseworkers should evaluate this requirement. This includes a non-exhaustive list of behaviours that indicate an applicant lacks good character, such as criminal activity, support for terrorism, financial soundness issues such as serious tax non-compliance, notoriety, deception and dishonesty, and immigration-related issues.
Any application for British citizenship by naturalisation should carefully evaluate the good character criteria because even seemingly minor details can result in a refusal outcome. Fixed penalty notices, driving offences, past cautions, historic overstay, civil penalties for illegal working or renting and unresolved tax issues can all attract scrutiny, particularly under the tightened rules introduced from 2023 onwards.
If you have any concerns about meeting the good character requirement, take professional advice. Potential difficulties should be identified and addressed as part of your application for UK citizenship to avoid falling foul of the rules. In some cases, the safest course will be to delay applying until more time has passed or until an issue such as an HMRC enquiry has been fully resolved.
Can you apply for British citizenship if you have a criminal record?
Previous offences and convictions are likely to impact your naturalisation application. The degree to which you will be affected will depend on a number of factors, including the nature of the offence or offences, whether you received a custodial sentence, how long ago the conduct took place and whether the conviction is spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. You are required by law to disclose all criminal offences as part of your naturalisation application. Failure to do so can result in a refused application and can impact any future UK applications you make.
The good character rules for naturalisation are stricter than the rules that apply to many immigration routes. Even spent convictions can remain relevant, and non-custodial sentences, repeated minor offending or a pattern of conduct can all lead to refusal. Where there is a history of offending or other adverse conduct, you should expect the Home Office to look closely at the file and you may need to provide detailed explanations and evidence of rehabilitation.
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
If you have any concerns or are worried you may be borderline on any of the criteria, take professional advice on your options because if you have doubts, the Home Office will certainly pick up on this too.
Take each of the requirements in turn to stress test your evidence and your case for eligibility. The Home Office is not going to afford you any goodwill or benefit of the doubt. You have to do the work to prepare your application and submission and provide clear, unequivocal proof that you qualify under every heading.
Section C: Naturalisation for Spouses of British Citizens
If you are applying for citizenship on the basis of your marriage to a British citizen, you will need to meet the three year residence requirement and show that you hold ILR, Indefinite Leave to Enter or settled status on the date of application. The reference in your previous draft to applying on the basis of marriage to a person with settled status has been corrected, because the naturalisation rules only allow the shorter three year route if you are married to a British citizen. The remainder of the rules apply in the same way as the standard naturalisation route, but with the shorter qualifying period and no requirement to hold ILR for 12 months.
a. In the 12 months immediately prior to your application, you have not been away from the UK for more than 90 days
b. You were present in the UK on the exact date three years prior to making your citizenship application
c. During this qualifying three year period, you have not been absent from the UK for more than 270 days
d. During this qualifying three year period, you did not breach any UK immigration laws
e. On the date you are making your application, you are not subject to any time restrictions on your stay in the UK
f. You are of good character
g. You have sufficient knowledge of life in the UK
h. You have sufficient knowledge of the English language
i. You intend to make the UK your permanent home
Applications under the three year route can still fail on residence, absences or evidence issues, so you should check your travel history and ensure your UK residence is fully documented. This route does not allow any discretion on the requirement to have been in the UK three years before the application date, so great care should be taken to apply on the right day. If you were abroad on that exact date, you will not be able to rely on the spouse route and may need to meet the full five year requirement instead.
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
The spouse route might give the impression of being more accommodating with its shorter residency requirement, but that doesn’t equate to any form of processing leniency.
Yes, the three year qualifying period sounds generous, but the physical presence rule is stricter because UKVI won’t exercise discretion if you were abroad on the key date.
Your immigration record also has to show continuity across your relationship, your financial position and your residence. Any discrepancies from earlier spouse visa applications are also likely to rear their heads again, so be prepared to tackle these head on.
Section D: Discretionary Grounds for British Citizenship
Even where certain requirements are not met, the Secretary of State has the power to treat applicants as having met those requirements in limited circumstances. Discretion may be exercised when considering the absence limits, the requirement to have held ILR for 12 months where it applies and certain breaches of immigration laws, depending on the facts.
a. The allowed absence criteria (for instance, if you were outside the UK for more than 90 days in the year before your application)
b. The 12 month ILR requirement where it applies
c. Breaches of immigration laws at some point in the three or five year qualifying period, depending on the seriousness and context
The Secretary of State may also decide to waive the language and Life in the UK requirements due to the applicant’s age, physical or mental condition. Evidence will be required, and any request for the exercise of discretion should be supported with detailed representations and documentation.
Some requirements cannot be waived by the Secretary of State, including:
a. To have been resident in the UK for the first three or five years of the qualification period (although there is considerable latitude for members of the armed forces)
b. Having ILR, Indefinite Leave to Enter or settled status at the date of application
c. Being of good character
Any application for British citizenship relying on discretionary consideration requires specialist advice. The exercise of discretion is not guaranteed, and where the requirements are not met it is usually safer to delay until the criteria can be met in full.
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
Discretion is not something applicants can generally rely on. The Home Office rarely uses discretion in naturalisation cases unless the circumstances are exceptional and only where the evidence is overwhelming. Requests relying on sympathy or inconvenience almost always fail. UKVI expects solid documentation for every claimed exception, and even then, discretion is unpredictable.
Depending on the circumstances, if you are materially outside the rules, especially on absences or character, the safest approach is usually to delay until you fully meet the requirements rather than gamble with a discretionary refusal that will stay on your record and leave you out of pocket.
Section E: How to Make a Naturalisation Application
Your eligibility to apply for British citizenship depends on meeting the residence and status requirements, rather than having held settled status for a specific number of years. The previous statement that you become eligible after five years with settled status has been corrected. The five years refers to the qualifying residence period, not the length of time you hold ILR or settled status. If you are not married to a British citizen, you generally need to have held ILR or settled status for at least 12 months and meet the five year residence and absence rules. If you are married to a British citizen, you can usually apply as soon as you hold ILR or settled status, provided you satisfy the three year rules.
1. When to apply for British Citizenship
If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you can apply for British citizenship as soon as you are granted ILR, Indefinite Leave to Enter or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, provided you meet the three year residence rules. If you are not married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you need to wait 12 months from the date you are granted ILR or settled status before you can make your naturalisation application. You also need to meet the five year residence rules and the absence limits.
2. How to make a British naturalisation application
To apply for British citizenship, you have to make a formal application to the Home Office by completing the relevant application form. In most cases this will be Form AN for adults naturalising. You also have to submit all of the required supporting documentation and pay the application fee.
In support of your application, you will need to compile and submit documents to prove your eligibility. The application form is extensive and requires accurate information about your personal circumstances, immigration history, travel history, work details, dependants and residence in the UK. Errors, omissions or inconsistent dates can cause delays and refusals, so the form should be completed carefully and checked before submission.
If you are applying for citizenship on the basis of marriage, you will also need to provide additional documentation to prove your relationship is genuine and legal. Details of your two designated referees must also be provided. Your referees must attest to the accuracy of the information in your Form AN by signing and approving it.
You will need to include the following details with your Form AN:
a. Personal information, including your name and contact information, your parents’ and partner’s details, any pertinent employment information and your familiarity with living in the UK
b. Residence requirements, with detailed records of any overseas trips you may have taken in the five years prior to your application
c. Evidence of good character, including details of previous convictions, cautions, fixed penalties and any overseas criminal history
d. Referee details, including the names, professions, contact details and passport information for your two referees
e. Declaration, where you confirm the accuracy of your information and submit your evidence
The information you submit about yourself, your absences and your supporting documents has to be comprehensive and accurate, or you risk the application being delayed or refused, with a loss of your application fee. UKVI also have powers to take action where it is alleged you have made a false statement or submitted a fraudulent document.
In most cases, you will also need to attend an appointment at a UKVCAS centre to submit your biometric information. The timeframe to enrol biometrics is usually shorter than the 45 days stated in your previous draft. UKVI normally expect biometrics to be enrolled within around 15 working days, but instructions vary case by case. You should follow the deadline given in your application confirmation.
Once submitted, UKVI will review your application, cross referencing information such as HMRC records and your immigration history, and checking for any criminal or civil matters which may disbar you. They will also verify your status, travel records and supporting evidence, so consistency is critical.
3. Supporting documents for naturalisation application
To evidence your eligibility, you will need to provide supporting documentation with your application form. The exact documents to provide will depend on your circumstances, so it is advisable to take professional guidance on what you should submit. In most cases, documents are uploaded digitally rather than sending originals, and passports should not be posted. You may, however, need to show original documents at your biometric appointment if requested.
To illustrate, you would generally be required to provide:
a. Your current passport or a clear scanned copy showing your nationality and identity
b. Evidence of meeting the English language requirement, such as an approved SELT certificate or degree documentation
c. Proof of passing the Life in the UK test
d. Confirmation of UK residence, such as HMRC, employment or tenancy records
e. Evidence of ILR, Indefinite Leave to Enter or settled status
f. A detailed list of your travel outside the UK for the qualifying period
The list of required evidence can be longer depending on your circumstances. Submitting more documentation than required does not always assist and can introduce inconsistencies, so targeted, accurate evidence is important.
4. British naturalisation application referees
You will need to provide details of two referees within your naturalisation application. Both naturalisation referees must have known you personally for at least three years. One of the referees must be a person with a professional standing, such as an accountant, police officer or chemist, and can be of any nationality. The other referee should be a British citizen with a British passport and either be a professional person or be aged over 25. Both referees must sign and complete the same page with a passport picture of you attached. You cannot use two separate pages.
The referee must not:
a. Be the applicant’s legal representative for the citizenship application
b. Be a relation of the applicant or of the other referee
c. Be an employee of the Home Office
d. Have a conviction for an imprisonable offence from the last 10 years for which the sentence is not spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
The referees have to provide the applicant with the following information to be added to the application form:
a. Their full name
b. Their home address or addresses for the past three years
c. Their date of birth
d. Their profession
e. Their telephone number
f. Their email address
g. Their British passport number if British
h. Description of how they know the applicant
UKVI take the referee requirement seriously. Inaccurate or inappropriate referee details can lead to delays or refusal, so you should ensure your referees clearly meet the eligibility criteria and understand their responsibilities before they sign the form.
5. Naturalisation application fee
The overall cost for an adult naturalisation application is £1,735, made up of a £1,605 naturalisation fee and a £130 citizenship ceremony fee.
For most applicants under 18, the fee to register as a British citizen is £1,214. If the child turns 18 during the application process and is then required to attend a citizenship ceremony, the £130 ceremony fee becomes payable in addition.
The naturalisation application fee is non refundable once your application is accepted as valid.
Applicants may also need to budget for English language test fees, Life in the UK test fees or translation costs.
| Applicant type / cost item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult naturalisation application (Form AN) | £1,605 | Home Office application fee, payable on submission. Effectively non refundable once the application is accepted as valid. |
| Citizenship ceremony fee (adult) | £130 | Usually collected alongside the application, but only used if the application is approved and a ceremony is arranged. |
| Life in the UK Test | £50 | Fee per attempt at an approved test centre. Only needs to be passed once if evidence is retained. |
| English language test (SELT at B1) | Varies by provider | Paid directly to the test provider. Cost depends on location, test type and availability. |
| Translations and document copies | Varies | Only needed where documents are not in English or Welsh or where certified copies are required. |
6. Naturalisation application processing time
The majority of British naturalisation applications are processed in around six months. Decisions on more straightforward and well-prepared applications can be made in as little as three to four months, while more complex applications can take longer than six months. Processing times will also vary based on Home Office staffing and workload, and no priority or super priority service is currently available for naturalisation applications.
7. Can I travel while my UK citizenship application is being processed?
You are permitted to leave the UK while your UK naturalisation citizenship application is being processed, provided you have retained your original passport. This means for your citizenship application, you should submit a fully certified copy of your passport and keep your original passport for travel purposes. Most applicants upload their passport copy digitally and do not send originals.
While your citizenship application is being processed, you remain subject to immigration control and must provide proof at the border of your permission to enter the UK, such as evidence of your ILR or settled status. From 2025 onwards, many applicants will rely on eVisa records rather than physical BRP cards, as BRPs are being phased out. The decision to allow you to re enter the UK rests with border officials, so you should ensure your digital status is accessible and that you travel with any documents needed to evidence your right to return.
You can retain your passport, provided you have submitted a certified copy or uploaded a clear scan with your application. UKVI do not take passports for naturalisation applications.
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
For the uninitiated, the naturalisation application process is riddled with traps. Don’t underestimate the level of detail you’ll need to apply when you build your application and evidence. UKVI expects your travel history, employment timeline, immigration record and tax data all to align perfectly across all sources, so that’s not just your application, but also any third party sources they cross reference against, such as HMRC.
If you submit vague or excessive or inconsistent evidence, the caseworker won’t attempt to decipher or fix anything and you’ll be looking at a refusal.
Referees also create avoidable refusals when applicants choose people with borderline eligibility or when they provide incomplete information.
Section F: UK Naturalisation Timeline
The timeline for applying for British naturalisation will depend on your visa route, your residence pattern and whether you are applying on the standard route or as the spouse of a British citizen. Some immigration routes count towards ILR and citizenship, others do not, and some offer shorter routes to settlement. The example below is based on a worker or family route that leads to ILR after five years and then to naturalisation.
1. UK naturalisation timeline for non-spouses of British citizens
The timeline for applying for British naturalisation if you are not relying on marriage or civil partnership, and if you are an EU national who arrived in the UK after 1 January 2021 with a visa under the points based system, is typically as follows:
Year 1: Arrival into UK
The date you arrive in the UK with lawful permission to remain for a limited period, such as under a Skilled Worker visa, is when the clock starts in your UK residency for any future ILR or citizenship application. You need to maintain continuous lawful residence, keep your immigration status up to date and avoid breaching your visa conditions.
Year 5: Apply for ILR
After five years of continuous residence in the UK with lawful status on a route that leads to settlement, you may become eligible to apply to settle permanently through ILR. You will need to meet the specific ILR rules for your route, including absence limits, knowledge of language and life in the UK unless exempt and any salary or sponsorship conditions that apply. Once granted ILR status, if you are not married to a British citizen you will normally need to wait twelve months before you become eligible for naturalisation, provided you meet the five year residence and absence rules.
Year 6: Apply to naturalise
After living as a permanent resident with ILR for a full year, you can usually make the naturalisation application, as long as you meet all other requirements such as good character and residence intentions. The relevant five year qualifying period will be counted back from the date of your application, so the pattern of your residence and absences during that time still matters even after ILR is granted.
Some other routes, such as certain Global Talent or Innovator routes, can offer a faster route to ILR. In those cases the overall time to reach naturalisation may be shorter, but the same principles on ILR and the 12 month holding period for non spouses will still apply.
2. UK naturalisation timeline for spouses of British citizens
The timeline for applying for British naturalisation if you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen will reflect the shorter three year residence requirement and the fact you do not need to hold ILR for 12 months. A typical example for a spouse visa route is as follows:
Year 1: Arrival into UK
The date you arrive in the UK with lawful permission to remain for a limited period, such as under a spouse visa, is when the clock starts in your UK residency for any future ILR or citizenship application. You should keep careful records of your time in and out of the UK from this point, as the three year qualifying period will be measured from the date of your naturalisation application.
Year 5: Apply for ILR
You can usually apply to settle in the UK indefinitely after five years on a spouse route that leads to settlement, assuming you continue to meet the relationship, financial and English language requirements and have not exceeded the ILR absence limits. You also have to be able to show that you were living in the UK on the exact date three years prior to submitting your naturalisation application. This date test often catches people out, so forward planning is important.
After ILR: Apply for naturalisation
Once you are granted ILR, you can apply for citizenship straight away if you meet the three year residence requirement as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen and satisfy all of the other naturalisation rules. Unlike the standard route, there is no need to wait 12 months after ILR is granted. You still need to meet the absence limits for the three year period and to show that the UK is your main home.
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
Naturalisation should be years in the making, not just in terms of building your eligibility but also building the evidence to support your application. Map your key dates so you have absolute clarity and your application is based on facts and not guesswork. The five or three year qualifying period is counted backwards from the naturalisation application date, not forwards from ILR, so travel or immigration mistakes from years earlier can still block you.
Remember also that fast tracked ILR routes do not speed up naturalisation unless every requirement is still met.
Section G: After the Naturalisation Application
Once your naturalisation application has been submitted, the focus shifts to processing, decision making and the steps that follow. You will not be contacted by the Home Office for routine updates, so periods of silence are common. During this time, UKVI will verify your information, carry out checks with other government bodies and review your documents. The outcome will be either a grant of citizenship, a refusal decision or, in some cases, a request for further information or clarification before a final decision is made.
1. Naturalisation application refused?
If your naturalisation application has been refused, you will need to understand the grounds for refusal to determine your next steps, whether that is to seek a reconsideration of the decision, to resubmit the application or to make a new one at a later date. For example, was there an error in completing the form, did you pay the incorrect fee, was there an issue with residence or absences, or was the application refused on good character or discretionary grounds? Given what is at stake, taking advice can help to understand your options and how best to proceed.
There is no formal right of appeal against a naturalisation refusal. Instead, you may be able to ask for a reconsideration if you can show that the Home Office has made a legal or factual mistake, or you may decide that a new, stronger application at a later date is more realistic. Any fresh application will require new fees, and previous refusals will remain on record and be considered in future cases.
2. Naturalisation application successful
If you are successful in your application for British citizenship, you will receive an approval letter and then have 90 days to attend a citizenship ceremony in the UK, where you will make an oath or affirmation of allegiance and be presented with your certificate of naturalisation. If you do not attend a ceremony within that time and have not agreed an extension with the local authority, your citizenship may be withdrawn and you may need to reapply.
Once you have the certificate, you can apply for your British passport. You should not apply for a British passport before the ceremony, and you should keep your certificate safe, as it is an important status document and will be needed for future applications and checks.
3. Can British citizenship be lost?
The Secretary of State retains powers to deprive individuals of their British citizenship in defined circumstances. This can include where a person is found to have obtained their citizenship status through misrepresentation, fraud or failure to declare relevant information, or where deprivation is considered conducive to the public good because of serious criminality, terrorism or conduct that is seriously prejudicial to the interests of the UK. It may also be against the law to make a false statement in order to get British citizenship.
In some cases, deprivation can proceed even if this risks leaving a person without any nationality, although there are legal limits on when this can happen. Deprivation decisions can have severe consequences and can lead to loss of the right to live in the UK, so it is important to answer all questions in the naturalisation process fully and honestly.
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
Applicants often panic when there is no news for months, but that kind of silence is standard during processing.
Once your naturalisation application is submitted, what follows is a deep dive into your background, with checks through HMRC, DWP, police databases and border systems. If something in your past doesn’t match what you’ve put in your form, expect it to emerge now.
The real risk is a refusal based on undeclared issues or unclear evidence, because this type of refusal damages credibility and future applications.
Section H: Summary
Naturalisation is the final step in securing British citizenship for adults who have already made the UK their long term home. To qualify, you need a period of lawful residence in the UK, ILR or settled status, compliance with strict absence and residence rules, a pass in the Life in the UK test and evidence of English language ability, unless exempt. You also need to show that you intend to make the UK your main home and that you meet the Home Office good character requirement, which is interpreted widely and can capture historic immigration, criminal and tax issues.
The process is document heavy and the fees are substantial, with no refund where a valid application is refused. That makes careful planning important, from checking dates and absences to selecting referees and anticipating any character concerns. Treated as a structured legal application rather than a formality at the end of your immigration journey, naturalisation can be managed in a way that reduces risk and gives you the strongest possible platform for a successful outcome.
Section I: Need Assistance?
You can reduce the risk of a refused application by taking professional advice on how to make your British naturalisation application, including whether now is the right time to apply and how to present any areas of potential concern such as absences, criminal history or tax issues.
Book a fixed-fee telephone consultation for advice from one of our naturalisation experts on your application.
Section J: Naturalisation FAQs
What is naturalisation?
Naturalisation is the legal process by which a non British adult can apply to become a British citizen, provided they meet certain eligibility criteria, including residence, status, language, Life in the UK and good character requirements.
Who is eligible to apply for naturalisation?
You may be eligible if you are over 18, have lived in the UK for at least five years or three years if married to a British citizen, hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Indefinite Leave to Enter or settled status, and meet the residency, absence, language and good character requirements. If you are not married to a British citizen, you usually need to have held ILR or settled status for at least 12 months on the date of application.
Do I need to pass the Life in the UK Test?
Most applicants need to pass the Life in the UK Test, which assesses knowledge of British history, customs and values. You only have to pass it once. If you passed it for a previous ILR or citizenship application, you do not need to take it again, provided you can still produce your test reference or certificate.
Is there a minimum income requirement?
There is no financial requirement for naturalisation. However, you must not have breached immigration laws during your qualifying period, and serious financial issues such as tax evasion, bankruptcy linked to dishonesty or civil penalties can raise concerns under the good character requirement.
Can I apply if I have spent time outside the UK?
You can still apply if you have spent time outside the UK, provided your absences do not exceed the limits. You must not have been absent from the UK for more than 450 days in the last five years, or 270 days in the last three years if applying as a spouse of a British citizen, and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months. In some cases, the Home Office can exercise discretion where absences are slightly over the limits, but this is not guaranteed.
Do I need to attend a citizenship ceremony?
Successful applicants need to attend a citizenship ceremony, where they will make an oath or affirmation of allegiance and pledge loyalty to the UK. You normally need to attend within 90 days of the invitation being issued.
How long does the process take?
Naturalisation applications typically take around six months to be processed, but this can vary depending on case complexity and Home Office workloads. There is currently no formal priority or super priority service for naturalisation applications.
Can I travel while my application is pending?
You can travel while your naturalisation application is being processed, provided your current immigration status allows it and you retain your original passport and evidence of your ILR or settled status. You remain subject to immigration control until you become a British citizen and may be refused re entry if you cannot show a current right to return.
Section K: Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Naturalisation | The legal process by which a non British adult becomes a British citizen after meeting specified residence and legal requirements. |
| British citizenship | Status that gives a person full rights and responsibilities in the UK, including the right to live, work and vote and to hold a British passport. |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | Immigration status granted to non UK nationals allowing them to stay in the UK without time restrictions and to work or study without further permission. |
| Settled status | Status under the EU Settlement Scheme allowing EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members to live permanently in the UK. |
| Life in the UK Test | A multiple choice test that assesses knowledge of British traditions, history and laws, required for most ILR and naturalisation applications. |
| Good character requirement | A legal requirement that applicants for naturalisation must not have serious or recent criminal convictions, significant financial misconduct or immigration breaches. |
| Residence requirement | The minimum number of years and pattern of residence a person has to show in the UK before they can apply for naturalisation. |
| Citizenship ceremony | A formal event where successful applicants make an oath or affirmation of allegiance and receive their certificate of naturalisation. |
| Oath of allegiance | A spoken promise of loyalty to the King and to uphold UK laws and values, made at the citizenship ceremony. |
| Dual nationality | The status of holding citizenship of more than one country at the same time, which is permitted in the UK but may be restricted by other states. |
Section L: Additional Resources & Links
| Resource | What it covers | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Life in the UK Test: official guidance | Home Office information on booking, preparing for and sitting the Life in the UK Test, including ID requirements and test rules. | https://www.gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test |
| British citizenship by naturalisation | Main gov.uk guidance on eligibility for British citizenship by naturalisation, including residence, status and application process. | https://www.gov.uk/becoming-a-british-citizen |
| Form AN and application guidance | Online form and official guide for applying to naturalise as a British citizen using Form AN. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/form-an-application-for-naturalisation-as-a-british-citizen |
| English language requirement: citizenship | Home Office rules on meeting the English language requirement for settlement and naturalisation, including accepted tests and exemptions. | https://www.gov.uk/english-language/british-citizenship |
| Approved Secure English Language Tests | Current list of approved Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) and providers accepted by the Home Office. | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-english-language-abilities-with-a-secure-english-language-test-selt |
| Nationality policy: good character requirement | Detailed Home Office policy guidance for caseworkers on assessing the good character requirement in nationality applications. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/good-character-nationality-policy-guidance |
| Dual nationality guidance | Overview of UK policy on dual citizenship, including when you can hold more than one nationality and relevant considerations. | https://www.gov.uk/dual-citizenship |
| EU Settlement Scheme | Guidance for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members on pre settled and settled status, relevant to some naturalisation routes. | https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families |
| UKVCAS biometric enrolment | Information about UKVCAS service points, biometric enrolment, document upload and appointment process for Home Office applications. | https://www.ukvcas.co.uk |
