2024 British Citizenship: Application Process & Requirements
2024 Guide to Applying for UK British Citizenship: Comprehensive Insights into Fees, Expected Processing Times, Essential Documents.
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A Y & J Solicitors
What are the eligibility requirements for British citizenship by naturalisation?

You must meet the following criteria:

Have lived legally in the UK for at least five years

Have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for at least 12 months

Meet the residency requirements

Have proof of language proficiency:

Nationality from an English-speaking country

OR an accepted English language degree

OR you have successfully passed an accredited English language test

Pass the ‘Life in the UK’ test

Have a good character

Plan to live permanently in the UK

What are the continuous residence requirements I must meet to obtain British citizenship?

To meet the continuous residency requirements, you need to show that you have lived in the UK for at least five years and during that time:

You spent no more than 450 days outside the UK – or 270 days during the last three years if married to a British Citizen

You spent no more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months.

What are the requirements for British citizenship by birth?

If you were born in the United Kingdom before 1 January 1983, you would be a British citizen by birth. If you were born inside the United Kingdom after 1 January 1983, you would be a British citizen by birth if at least one of your parents was a British citizen or settled in the UK when you were born.

What are the mandatory British citizenship by descent requirements?

A British citizen by descent is someone who was registered as a British citizen or who was born outside the UK to a British parent. If a British citizen by descent’s child is born overseas, they cannot normally pass their citizenship directly on, they may need to register the child for British citizenship, if eligible. If the other parent is a British citizen otherwise than by descent, for example, someone British by birth, naturalisation or adoption, then that parent should be able to pass their citizenship directly on to the child.

What are the documents required to obtain British citizenship?

You will need to provide the following documents with your application (this is not an exhaustive list):

Your passport/travel document and Biometric Residence Permit (if applicable)

Proof you have Indefinite Leave to Remain

Evidence of your English language proficiency

Your Life in the UK test pass certificate

Your marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applicable)

P60s (or other evidence of economic activity covering the period you have lived (and worked) in the UK)

Payslips (or other evidence of finances)

Self-employed applicants require self-assessment statements for each year of the six /five years

What documents do I need to register for British citizenship?

This depends on the basis of the claim to British citizenship. In some cases, you may need to provide evidence of residency in the UK.

Is dual citizenship allowed in the UK?

Yes, British laws allow all citizens to hold another nationality or nationalities.

What is the British citizenship fee?

The Home Office fee for naturalisation is £1,330 (including the £80 British citizenship fee). The biometric enrolment fee is £19.20.

The Home Office fee for adult registration is £1,206 (including the £80 British citizenship fee). The biometric enrolment fee is £19.20.

The Home Office fee for child registration is £1,012 (an additional £80 British citizenship fee would be charged if the minor turned 18 during the application process).

There are no priority services available for naturalisation.

What is the British Citizenship Ceremony?

To complete the process of becoming a British citizen, you will need to attend a citizenship ceremony. At the ceremony, you will take an oath or affirmation of allegiance to the Crown and a pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom. This is a formal promise to His Majesty the King and the United Kingdom. Once you have taken the oath and given the pledge, you will be presented with your certificate of British citizenship, which is the legal evidence that you are a British citizen.

The cost of the Citizenship Ceremony is £80, which is paid when you submit your application for British Citizenship.

You must bring a copy of the Citizenship ceremony invitation to the ceremony. If you do not, your ceremony will be postponed. You must also bring photo ID to the ceremony, as the registrar may ask to see this.

Can I become a British citizen?

Whether you can become a British citizen depends on your circumstances. There may be more than one way for you to apply and if this is the case, you can choose which route to use.

You can apply for British citizenship if:

you have resided in the UK for five years or more; and

you have held Indefinite Leave to Remain for 12 months or more, or

you have held EU Settled Status for 12 months or more.

Spouses of British citizens can apply for naturalisation having resided in the UK for three years if:

they have Indefinite Leave to Remain, or

an EEA Settled Status.

You may also be eligible to apply for British citizenship if:

you have a British parent

you are stateless

you hold another type of British nationality

at some stage, you renounced your British citizenship.

If you are a Commonwealth citizen, you may qualify for British citizenship under the Windrush scheme if:

you or your parents came to the UK before 1973

you live in the country and have not left the UK for more than two years

How do I apply for British citizenship?

Overseas applicants can now apply online. You will need to fill out an online form and answer all questions that are relevant to your application. You can edit and download the application before it is submitted. Our team can provide you with advice on the best options available to you and your family.

Who can be a referee for my British citizenship application?

One referee must be a person of any nationality who is a professional, such as a doctor or minister of religion. A lawyer can act as a referee, but this must not be the person representing you in your application. The second referee must be a British citizen and also either a Professional Person or over 25 years old.

What are the immigration routes for British citizenship registration?

It may be possible for adults to register as a British citizen on the following basis:-

Born before 1 January 1983 to a British mother.

You have another form of British nationality.

Adults and children may be eligible to register if:

They were born in the UK; and

neither of their parents was British or settled; and

they lived the first 10 years of their lives in the UK; and

in any of the first 10 years, they have not spent more than 90 days outside the UK.

A non-British child (under 18) may become eligible to register as a British citizen if they were born in the United Kingdom and one of their parents has been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain/Settled status.

A non-British child born outside the UK to a parent who has been granted ILR may also be able to apply for registration in limited circumstances.

How long does the British citizenship application process take?

The application can take as long as six months to move through the system but applications are often decided much sooner. Once approved, you will receive your approval letter and shortly after will receive a citizenship invitation letter. You will need to arrange a citizenship ceremony at your local registry office as soon as possible. Ceremonies are subject to availability. You will only become a British citizen once you have attended your ceremony and received your certificate of naturalisation. You can apply for your first British passport once the process of naturalisation is complete.

How can I track my British citizenship application status?

Once you have submitted your application and paid the relevant fee, you will have a unique reference number for your application. This reference will also be used when you upload your supporting documents and enrol biometric data. However, it is not normally possible to track your application directly. If any additional documents are required, the Home Office caseworker will contact you in writing. If the application falls outside the normal service standard, you should receive an email confirming this. When your application is decided, you will receive an email confirming the decision.

What are the advantages of becoming a British citizen?

There are many advantages to becoming a British citizen. One of the most important is the emotional peace of mind of knowing you have as much right to remain in the UK as a person who was born here, regardless of future government policies.

Others include:

You can travel in and out of the UK freely and for as long as you want.

You can fully participate in all local and general elections and exercise your right to vote.

You will be eligible for all state benefits and healthcare.

What is the British citizenship application form?

The application form for British citizenship depends on the type of citizenship application you are making. Most British citizenship applications are processed online. As an applicant, you should check the type of citizenship application you require and then complete the form online. Payment would also be processed online and you would be able to access a different portal to upload supporting documents and book a biometric appointment.

Form AN is the correct form for naturalisation and form MN1 is the correct form to register a child.

How can I become a British citizen by naturalisation?

You will need to:-

Check you meet the requirements, including residency requirements and good character requirements.

Gather the necessary supporting evidence for your application.

Seek references from two individuals who meet the requirements to act as referees for your application.

Complete an online form.

Submit the form and pay the relevant fee.

Upload scanned copies of your supporting documents to the correct online portal.

Book and attend a biometric appointment.

Cooperate with the Home Office in case of any requests for additional information during the decision-making process, if applicable.

On receipt of your approval you will be issued with a citizenship invitation letter – you must arrange a citizenship ceremony as soon as possible and within three months of the letter. You will not be a British citizen until you have completed your ceremony.

Attend your ceremony, where you will be required to swear an oath/affirmation of allegiance and you will be given your certificate of naturalisation.

What is the application for British citizenship by naturalisation?

The application for British citizenship by naturalisation is the application process overseas nationals undertake to become a full citizen of Great Britain and the United Kingdom. All naturalisation applications made to the government are considered on a discretionary basis, which means that, although the requirements to be met for naturalisation are written in the law, no applicant is considered to have the “right” to citizenship by virtue of meeting these requirements. The requirements for naturalisation are clearly defined, but each and every case will be considered individually.

How can I acquire British citizenship by marriage?

Marriage to a British citizen does not qualify you directly for British citizenship. To qualify for British citizenship, you must also have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain, whether that ILR status was granted on the basis of a spousal visa or on another immigration route. In addition to being married to a British citizen and holding ILR status, you must have also resided in the UK for three years prior to your application.

Can you renounce British Citizenship or nationality?

You do have an option to renounce (give up) your British Citizenship or nationality. If accepted, you’ll get a ‘declaration of renunciation’ that you can use to show that you’re no longer a British citizen.

One reason why someone may choose to renounce their British citizenship is if they want to become a citizen of another country that does not allow dual citizenship.

There are only two circumstances where you can renounce your British citizenship or nationality:

you already have another citizenship or nationality

you’re going to get another citizenship or nationality after giving up your British citizenship or status

The other requirements to be satisfied to renounce your British citizenship are:

you must be aged 18 or over (unless you’re under 18 and married).

you are of sound mind (unless it’s decided that it’s in your best interest).

Why Choose AY & J Solicitors while applying for British citizenship?

The British Nationality Act 1981 is complex and very challenging. It is essential to seek expertise from a British citizenship solicitor who specializes in this very technical field of law for a successful British citizenship application. The highly qualified lawyers at A Y & J Solicitors are passionate about helping clients to gain citizenship. They take the time needed to ensure you understand the process and will assist with all the details required for the application.

Can EU or EEA nationals acquire British Citizenship, and how can your team assist with the immigration process?

Acquiring British Citizenship offers a way for EU or EEA nationals to secure their residency status in the UK permanently. It provides certainty and stability in terms of rights and benefits, ensuring individuals can continue to live and work in the UK without any restrictions.

Our team is dedicated to providing expert advice and representation to EU or EEA nationals seeking to obtain Permanent Residency status and British Citizenship. We understand the concerns and anxieties you may have and are here to guide you through the entire process, ensuring a smooth and successful application.

What is the British citizenship 90-day rule?

As a qualifying condition for naturalisation as a British citizen, you cannot have been absent from the UK for more than 90 days in the 12 months prior to your naturalisation application.

Can a refugee acquire British citizenship?

I was granted Indefinite Leave to Remain. When can I apply for British citizenship?

Unless you are married to a British citizen, you will need to wait 12 months from the date your ILR was granted to apply for naturalisation as a British citizen. You must also have lived in the UK for five years, prior to the application date to be eligible to apply.

Those married to British citizens can apply for naturalisation as soon as they hold ILR status. They must also have lived in the UK for three years prior to the application date to be eligible to apply.

What are the differences between British citizenship and ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain)?

Indefinite Leave to Remain status (ILR) grants the holder permission to stay in the UK without any time limit. Holders of ILR can live, work and study in the UK without seeking prior permission. They can access healthcare and benefits and also may qualify to sponsor certain family members to join them in the UK from overseas. Children born in the UK to those who hold ILR status would automatically be British by birth.

Notably, someone with ILR status can be deported and their ILR status revoked.

Most critically, if the ILR holder stays outside the UK continuously for two years or more, they would lose their ILR status (their status would lapse). If ILR status lapses, they may need to apply for a new visa to return to the UK. In contrast, British citizenship can be revoked under the most serious circumstances, but it cannot be lost through any period of absence from the UK.

What can I do if my application for British citizenship is refused?

Applications for British citizenship can be refused for many reasons. One of the most common is that the application form has been filled in incorrectly and/or the correct documentation has not been supplied.

If your application has been refused, our immigration lawyers will examine the reason why and provide expert advice on the best plan of action. This could include resubmitting the application or seeking a judicial review.

What does the ‘good character’ requirement mean?

There is no statutory definition of good character and no statutory guidance on the interpretation or application of the requirement. There is, however, internal guidance to Home Office decision-makers in the form of the Nationality Guidance (NG) good character requirement, which provides information on how it is applied in practice in relation to all relevant applications for British citizenship.

Things which may lead immigration officials to believe you are not of good character include (but are not limited to):

a criminal conviction

deception in your dealings with immigration officials

financial matters including bankruptcy, debt, unlawful recourse to public funds, or non-payment of council tax

notoriety in the local or wider community.

If you believe that some aspect of your application may mean that you fail to meet the good character requirement, speak to one of our immigration lawyers.