British Citizenship

Acquiring a British citizenship for many migrants is the ultimate immigration aspiration. It enables you the right to permanently live and work in the UK without any immigration restrictions, as well the freedom to travel as a UK citizen. 

You can obtain a British Citizenship through the process of Naturalisation or Registration if you can demonstrate that you meet all the requirements under the British Nationality Act 1981. The requirements for Naturalisation and Registration are quite different. 

What is Naturalisation?

British Naturalisation is the most commonly use route for overseas nationals to become a British citizen. To be eligible under this route, you must have lawfully lived in the UK continuously for 5 years or more and have indefinite leave to remain or settled status or as a dependant of a settled status person.

What are the requirements for Naturalisation?

  • You are aged 18 and over
  • You are of sound mind and have ‘good character’ 
  • You have met the residency qualifying period, i.e you have lived in the UK for at least 5 years or 3 years for spouses or civil partners of a British citizen
  • You have not spent more than 450 days outside the UK during your lawful residence in the country in the 5 year period (270 days if you are married or in a civil partnership with a British citizen for the whole 3 year period)
  • You have not spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the 12 months leading up to your application
  • You must have Indefinite Leave to Remain or Settled Status for at least 12 months unless you are married or in a civil partnership with a British citizen
  • You have intention of living in the UK permanently 
  • You have proof of English Language proficiency (nationality from English speaking country or pass B1 level English test from an approved English Language provider or an accepted English Language degree) unless exempted
  • You have passed ‘Life in the UK test’

What is Registration?

The other way in which you may be eligible for British Citizenship is through Registration. There are various categories and each one has different requirements that must be met.

 

Key Contact:

Steph Revelle

Director

Steph Revelle

Hi everyone, and welcome. I’m the Founder and Director of Your Immigration Solutions. Whether you’re an individual or a corporate company, I’m here to help you with your entire visa application process.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the immigration categories for Registration?  Cross Icon

Adults may be permitted to register as a British citizen based on the following:

  • Born before 1 January 1983 to a British mother
  • You have another type of British nationality (British overseas citizen, British protected person, British subject, British national overseas)

Adults and children may be allowed to Register if the following are true:

  • They were born in the UK and
  • Their parents were not British or settled and
  • They have lived the first 10 years of their lives in the UK and
  • They have not spent more than 90 days outside the UK in any of the first 10 years

A child born in the UK after 1 January 1983, is automatically a British citizen if:

  • At least one of their parents was a British citizen or
  • One of their parents has been granted an Indefinite Leave to Remain or Settled status in the UK at the time of your birth 

What are the British citizenship application fees? Cross Icon

Naturalisation – £1,500 (included £80 for British citizenship ceremony fee). The biometric enrolment fee is £19.20.

Registration – £1,351 (adult) included £80 for British citizenship ceremony fee and £1,214 (child) plus an additional £80 ceremony fee if the child turns 18 during the application process. The biometric enrolment fee is £19.20.

There is no expedited service available for Naturalisation.

What is the processing time for a British citizenship application? Cross Icon

It can take up to 6 months for a decision to be arrived upon, but often than not the processing times are much shorter. Once approved, an approval letter will be sent out and soon after, you will receive a citizenship invitation letter. As citizenship ceremonies are subject to availability, you will need to organise for the ceremony at your local registry promptly. You will only become a British citizen officially once you have attended the ceremony and been awarded with the certificate of naturalisation. After completing your naturalisation process, you can now apply for your first British passport.