What is British citizenship by naturalisation?
Naturalisation is the legal process by which a non-British adult becomes a British citizen. It is the most common route for people who have moved to the UK on a long-term visa, lived here for several years, obtained Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or EU Settled Status, and now wish to take the final step to full UK nationality.
Holding ILR or Settled Status does not make you a British citizen automatically. You must apply separately, meet the Home Office's eligibility requirements, and — if approved — attend a citizenship ceremony before your certificate is issued. Once granted, British citizenship gives you the right to a British passport, the right to vote in all UK elections, and the freedom to leave and return to the UK without immigration restrictions, indefinitely.
Who is eligible to apply?
Most people who have relocated to the UK qualify through naturalisation via ILR or EU Settled Status. The route you use depends on your immigration status and whether you are married to a British citizen — each route has different residence requirements and waiting periods.
Standard route: Indefinite Leave to Remain
If you hold ILR, you can apply for British citizenship once you have lived in the UK for five continuous years and have held ILR for at least 12 months. You must also have been physically present in the UK on the date five years before the Home Office receives your application — this is a strict date-point rule, not an average, and it frequently catches applicants out.
Exact presence rule: If you submit your application on 3 April 2026, you must have been physically present in the UK on 3 April 2021. If you were outside the UK on that specific date, your application may be refused — regardless of how long you have lived here overall.
Spouse or civil partner of a British citizen
If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, the qualifying residence period is reduced to three years rather than five. You must have lived in the UK for those three years and already hold ILR or EU Settled Status — but you do not need to have held ILR for 12 months before applying. You can apply immediately once ILR is granted.
EU Settled Status
If you hold EU Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme, the same rules apply as for ILR holders: five years of lawful residence and 12 months of Settled Status before applying, unless you are married to a British citizen. If you still hold Pre-Settled Status, you cannot apply for citizenship yet — you must first qualify for full Settled Status.
Other routes
British citizenship can also be acquired by birth in the UK (depending on parents' circumstances), through a British parent, by registration for children, through the Windrush Scheme for eligible Commonwealth citizens, and through special circumstances such as statelessness or renounced citizenship. This guide focuses primarily on naturalisation — the route relevant to most adults who have relocated to the UK.
Absence limits: how much time can you spend outside the UK?
The standard five-year route allows a maximum of 450 days outside the UK across the full qualifying period, and no more than 90 days in the final 12 months. The three-year spouse route allows 270 days total, with the same 90-day cap in the last year. Exceeding these limits does not mean automatic refusal, but it significantly increases risk and requires a strong justification.
Tip: Count your absences carefully before applying. A single long trip abroad can push you over the annual limit even if your total over five years is within the cap. Keep records of every departure and return — passport stamps, boarding passes, or travel insurance documents all help.
The four core requirements
1. Good character
The good character requirement is assessed by the Home Office and is one of the most legally complex parts of a naturalisation application. It covers criminal history, financial conduct, immigration compliance, and general behaviour.
You must disclose all criminal convictions in the UK and overseas, including non-custodial sentences, suspended sentences, cautions, community orders, and civil penalties. Fixed Penalty Notices such as speeding or parking fines are not part of a criminal record and are not assessed. Failing to disclose something the Home Office discovers independently is treated more seriously than the original issue itself.
It is worth noting that historic immigration issues — including matters that did not prevent ILR from being granted — can still be relevant at the citizenship stage. Naturalisation is a separate legal assessment from ILR, not simply an administrative upgrade.
2. English language
You must demonstrate knowledge of English (or Welsh or Scottish Gaelic). Accepted evidence includes an English language qualification at B1, B2, C1 or C2 level from an approved provider, or a degree that was taught or researched in English. Full details of approved qualifications are on the gov.uk English language page.
Certain applicants are exempt from the English language requirement, including those aged 65 and over and those with a long-term physical or mental condition that prevents them from meeting it. If you believe you may be exempt, check the official guidance before applying.
3. Life in the UK test
The Life in the UK test is a 24-question multiple-choice exam taken at an approved test centre. It covers British history, culture, laws, and values. You are given 45 minutes to complete it and must pass with a score of 75% or higher. The test costs £50 and results are valid for two years. The same exemptions that apply to the English language requirement also apply to the Life in the UK test.
4. Intention to remain in the UK
Applicants must intend to continue living in the UK after citizenship is granted. This is a declaration made as part of the application, not a condition that is actively monitored after naturalisation. However, providing false information in the application — including misrepresenting your intentions — can result in citizenship being revoked.
Fees and costs in 2026
British citizenship applications cannot be fast-tracked or prioritised — there is no premium service. The fee is non-refundable once the Home Office has accepted the application as valid, even if the application is ultimately refused. Budget carefully before submitting.
Fee increase from 8 April 2026: The Home Office confirmed a fee rise effective 8 April 2026. Applications submitted on or after that date are subject to the new rates below.
| Item | Before 8 Apr 2026 | From 8 Apr 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Adult naturalisation (application fee) | £1,475 | £1,579 |
| Citizenship ceremony fee | £130 | £130 |
| Total (adult) | £1,605 | £1,709 |
| Child registration (under 18) | £1,214 | £1,000 (reduced) |
| Adult registration | £1,446 | £1,446 |
| Life in the UK test | £50 | £50 |
| English language test (if required) | From ~£150 | From ~£150 |
| Reconsideration (Form NR) | £450 | £482 |
Source: Home Office immigration and nationality fees, 8 April 2026. Always verify the current fee on gov.uk immediately before submitting.
How to apply: step by step
Most applicants in the UK apply online through the gov.uk portal using form AN. If you are applying from overseas, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man, a paper form is available. The online route allows you to keep your original documents while the application is being processed.
- 1 Check your eligibility Use the gov.uk eligibility checker to confirm which route applies to your circumstances before starting your application.
- 2 Pass the Life in the UK test Book and sit the test at an approved centre. Keep your pass certificate — the reference number is required in the application form. Results are valid for two years.
- 3 Gather your documents You will need: your current passport(s) and any covering the qualifying period; your ILR share code or Settled Status confirmation; your Life in the UK pass certificate; English language evidence; and two referees who are British citizens (a professional and a personal reference are standard).
- 4 Complete form AN online Apply via the gov.uk portal. Answer all questions in full — any inaccuracies or omissions are treated seriously. Pay the application fee at the time of submission.
- 5 Enrol your biometrics After submitting, you will be directed to book a biometric enrolment appointment at a UKVCAS or TLScontact service point. Standard appointments are free; enhanced or out-of-hours slots may carry a provider charge.
- 6 Wait for a decision The Home Office service level agreement is six months. There is no way to expedite the process. Most straightforward cases are decided faster, but complex cases — particularly those involving absences or good character questions — can take longer.
- 7 Attend your citizenship ceremony On approval, you will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony at your local council within three months. You take the oath of allegiance, receive your naturalisation certificate, and formally become a British citizen at that point. Keep the certificate — it is needed for passport applications and future border crossings.
- 8 Apply for a British passport (optional) You can apply online immediately after the ceremony. A standard adult passport costs £102 (from April 2026) and arrives within approximately three weeks via secure courier.
Documents checklist
- Current passport and all passports covering the qualifying period
- ILR share code or EU Settled Status confirmation
- Life in the UK test pass certificate (with reference number)
- English language qualification certificate (B1 level or above from an approved provider, or degree in English)
- Residence evidence covering the qualifying period (letters, tenancy agreements, utility bills)
- Travel history (departure and return dates, including boarding passes or travel insurance if passport stamps are missing)
- Two referee declarations — both must be British citizens; at least one should be a professional who has known you for three or more years
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate (spouse route only)
Dual nationality
UK law permits dual citizenship, which means you do not need to renounce your existing nationality in order to become a British citizen. You simply swear the oath of allegiance and receive your certificate — no surrender of your current passport is required on the UK side.
However, whether you can hold dual nationality depends on the laws of your home country, not UK law. Some countries — including China, India, and Japan — do not recognise dual citizenship and may revoke your original nationality automatically when you naturalise elsewhere. Before attending your ceremony, check with your home country's embassy or consulate in the UK to understand the implications for your specific nationality.
Policy watch: earned settlement
The current government has announced plans to reform how ILR and citizenship are acquired, under a proposed framework referred to as "earned settlement." Under this model, the path to settlement and citizenship may be linked to a points-based assessment of contribution to the UK — covering employment, tax compliance, English language, and civic participation.
This is proposed policy, not current law. As of April 2026, earned settlement has not been enacted. No start date has been confirmed. Applications must be made under the existing rules described in this guide. This section will be updated as legislation progresses. If you are planning your timeline to ILR or citizenship, seek legal advice before making assumptions about when changes will take effect.
What happens if an application is refused?
There is no right of appeal against a naturalisation refusal. If you believe the Home Office made a factual error in their decision, you can submit Form NR to request an administrative reconsideration. From 8 April 2026, this costs £482. The reconsideration process considers whether the caseworker misapplied the law — it is not a fresh assessment of your eligibility.
If your application is refused and you wish to reapply, you may do so, but the original application fee is not refunded. Common reasons for refusal include excess absences, undisclosed convictions, and inconsistencies between the information provided and records held by other government departments.
Taking the final step
For most people who have built a life in the UK, naturalisation represents the legal completion of that commitment. It removes the uncertainty that comes with any immigration status — however secure — and opens up the full range of civic and practical rights that come with British nationality. The process is neither quick nor cheap, but for the majority of applicants who prepare carefully and submit accurate documentation, it is straightforward.
The most important things to do before submitting are to count your absences precisely, verify the exact presence date five years before your planned submission date, and be completely transparent on the good character section. These are the three areas where otherwise eligible applicants most commonly encounter difficulties. The Home Office can verify far more than most applicants expect, and accuracy throughout the process is the single most effective way to protect your application.
If anything in your circumstances is not straightforward — whether that involves a period outside the UK, an old conviction, or any gap in your immigration history — it is worth taking legal advice before submitting. The fee is substantial, and it is not refundable once the application has been accepted.