Naturalisation is the legal process by which a person can change their nationality.  It is

the means by which a settled foreign national (who is able satisfy specified criteria), can

attain British citizenship. If successful, those who have been granted British naturalisation

are deemed ‘British citizens’ and are entitled to the same rights, nationally and

internationally as those born in the UK. 

 

Eligibility Criteria:

 

The eligibility requirements for this application process are strict. You must satisfy

specific, mandatory criteria, and demonstrate certain attributes in order to qualify for the

process of becoming a British citizen. 

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To be eligible to apply for British naturalisation you must meet the following mandatory

criteria, as specified in The British Nationality Act 1981:

 

A) You must be 18 years of age or over.

 

B) You can apply if you have lived in the UK for at least 5 years and have held one of

the following for at least 12 months preceding you application;

 

•   Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK status.

•   ‘Settled Status’ ( Indefinite leave to remain in the UK under the EU settlement Scheme). 

•   Indefinite leave to enter the UK (permission to move to the UK permanently from

abroad). 

 

You must not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK, during the 5 years of your

lawful residence in the UK and must not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK,

in the 12 months preceding your application. 

 

*Note-If you are married to a British national, you can apply for naturalisation, once you

have spent at least 3 years lawful residence in the UK and have not spent more than 270

days outside the UK, during this 3 year qualifying period. (See our  'Naturalisation by

Marriage section' for more detail).

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C) You must pass The Life In The UK Test

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If you have already passed the Life In The UK Test as part of your settlement application

and obtained a certificate in this respect, you will be exempt from the need to pass the

test as part of your naturalisation application. 

 

You will also be exempt if:

 

•   You are age 65 years of age or over.

•   Or if you have a long-term physical or mental condition making it unreasonable for you

to fulfil this requirement.

 

D) You must satisfy The English Language Requirement (or the Welsh and Scottish

Gaelic requirement)

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You can prove this requirement by having an English language qualification at B1, B2, C1

or C2 level, or by possessing a degree taught or researched in English.

 

Certain exemptions to this requirement also apply. Namely, you will not need to prove

your knowledge of English if:

 

•   You are aged 65 or over

•   You are unable to due to a long term physical or mental condition, 

•   Or if you are a national from the exempted list- see Home Office’s page here .

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There are no other exemptions to this requirement. This means that you may need to

prove your knowledge of English, if you are applying to become a British citizen, even if

you were exempt from doing so, when you were granted settlement. 

 

E) You must demonstrate that you are of ‘good  character’.

 

F) You must not have broken any UK immigration laws. 

 

G) You must intend to continue to live in the UK, upon receiving British citizenship. 

 

H) You must be of sound mind, possessing all mental capacity. 

 

 

How We Can Help:

 

The requirements to fulfil a successful naturalisation application, are stringent. We are

able to advise you on your eligibility, and can assist you on compiling the necessary documentation to strengthen you application. 

 

We will examine your previous immigration history in addition to your financial and travel

history and any history of criminality, and can provide representations on you behalf to

the Home office, in order the strengthen the success of your application. 

 

We will assist you through every step of the application process, and can submit an 

application on your behalf.