Once you have been in the UK for a period of time you may qualify to apply for naturalisation as a British Citizen. This may give you significant advantages, for example, if you need to regularly travel within Europe since as the holder of a British passport you would not need to apply for a visa or be subject to immigration controls. Please bear in mind, though, that under the laws of some countries a person will lose their nationality of they become a citizen of another country. We strongly recommend that you check with the authorities of your own country before proceeding.
There are two main ways to qualify:
- Naturalisation after five years in the UK
- Naturalisation after three years in the UK as a spouse of a UK Citizen
Naturalisation after five years in the UK
In addition, applicants not married to a UK citizen will need to meet the following requirements:
- you should have been present in the UK exactly five years before the the date you submit your application to the Home Office;
- you must have held permanent residence/ indefinite leave to remain (ILR) for the 12 months before the application;
- you should not have been absent from the UK for more than 450 days within the 5 year period (this period can be extended in certain circumstances);
- you should not have been out of the country for more than 90 days within the previous 12 months;
- you must not have been in breach of UK immigration rules at any time during the 5 year period.
Naturalisation after three years in the UK as a spouse of a UK Citizen
People who are married to a British citizen need only have been resident for three years. Additional requirements are as follows:
- you should have been present in the UK exactly three years before the the date you submit your application to the Home Office;
- you must have held permanent residence/ indefinite leave to remain (ILR) for the 12 months before the application;
- you should not have been absent from the UK for more than 270 days during the 3 year period (there is discretion with this rule)
- you should not have been out of the country for more than 90 days within the previous 12 months.
- you must not have been in breach of UK immigration rules at any time during the 3 year period.
REQUIREMENTS
All applicants should:
- be at least 18 years old;
- be of good character;
- have a good command of English, Scottish or Welsh;
- intend to live in the UK or in Crown Service abroad working directly for a UK Government organisation, or be employed by an international organisation of which the UK is a member, or be employed by a company or association established in the UK
- have passed the UK government's "Life in the UK" test.
You may satisfy the requirement for both knowledge of English language
and knowledge of life in the UK by:
successfully completing a course of study in ESOL with citizenship.
You will need to provide a certificate showing the level you have
attained together with a letter from the college certifying that the
course citizenship content had the requisite citizenship content.
Passing a short test on knowledge of life in the UK at a Life in the UK Test Centre. This test is set in English and passing the test will
indicate both knowledge of English and Life in the UK.
If you are aged 65 or over or have a mental or physical disability that
prevents you from learning English or about life in the UK you may
apply for an exemption.
IF YOU ARE ALREADY FLUENT IN ENGLISH
Passing a test of knowledge of life in the UK – for residents in
England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Before attempting the test you should read the publication Life in the
United Kingdom. A Journey to Citizenship.
Once you passed the test download application form ,fill it,enclose documents & payment and post to the address mentioned in the application form.
Children below 18 and are not British citizens ,have to submit separate application.Click here to download application form
Application Processing
Processing times for applications can vary quite considerably, although the Home Office will consider a well presented case for prioritisation (urgent business needs, for example). Please contact one of our consultants for information on this.
Once the application has been approved you will be invited to a Citizenship ceremony to undertake an Oath and Pledge of loyalty. You will then be awarded a certificate of naturalisation.
Apply For British Passoprt once you are naturalised
For further details visit homeoffice website
