Do you qualify?
- You hold ILR or settled status, usually for at least 12 months, unless married to a British citizen
- You meet the residence requirements, including limits on time abroad
- You meet the good character requirement
- You have passed the Life in the UK test and meet the English requirement
Documents you'll need
| Document | Details | Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Passports covering the residence period | Required |
| Application form | Completed and checked by us before submission | We prepare |
| Proof of ILR or settled status | Required | |
| English language evidence | Life in the UK and English language evidence | Required |
| Two referees who meet the Home Office criteria | Required |
We give you a full checklist for your circumstances at your consultation.
Who can apply for British citizenship?
Most adults become British by naturalisation. You can usually apply if you:
- Have Indefinite Leave to Remain, EU settled status or permanent residence
- Have lived in the UK for at least 5 years (3 years if married to, or in a civil partnership with, a British citizen)
- Have held your settled status for at least 12 months, unless you are married to a British citizen
- Have passed the Life in the UK test
- Have English at B1 level or above, through an approved test or a degree taught in English
- Meet the good character requirement
- Intend to keep living in the UK
Time abroad: the absence limits
The residence rules are where many applications go wrong. For the standard 5-year route, you should not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK in the 5 years before you apply, or more than 90 days in the final 12 months. On the 3-year route through marriage, the limit is 270 days, with the same 90 days in the last year.
You must also have been physically in the UK on the date exactly 5 (or 3) years before the Home Office receives your application. The Home Office can use discretion for absences slightly over the limits, but this isn't guaranteed. The free absence calculator on our ILR page gives you a quick first check.
Good character: what the Home Office checks
The good character requirement looks at your whole history, not just criminal convictions. The Home Office also considers immigration breaches, unpaid tax, debts to the NHS, and how honestly you have dealt with immigration and other authorities.
Since February 2025, people who entered the UK illegally are normally refused citizenship, regardless of how long ago they arrived. If there is anything in your history that worries you, talk to us before you apply. The application fee isn't refunded if you are refused.
Citizenship through marriage
If you are married to, or in a civil partnership with, a British citizen, you can apply after 3 years of living in the UK instead of 5. You don't need to wait 12 months after getting settled status: you can apply as soon as you have ILR, if you meet the other requirements.
The application process and citizenship ceremony
You apply online, give your fingerprints and photo at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services appointment, and provide two referees who can confirm your identity. Decisions usually take around 6 months.
If you are approved, you attend a citizenship ceremony, usually at your local council, within 3 months. You become a British citizen at the ceremony and can then apply for your British passport.
How we help
- Check your eligibility and confirm the right route at your consultation
- Give you a personalised document checklist
- Prepare and complete your application forms
- Review all evidence against the current rules before submission
- Keep you updated until you have a decision
Fees and timescales
Our fee is agreed before we start. See our fees. Government fees are paid separately, and are listed on GOV.UK.
Common questions
Can my children become British?
Children born in the UK, or children of British or settled parents, may be able to register as British. The rules depend on when and where they were born.
Do I need to give up my current nationality?
The UK allows dual nationality, but some countries don’t. Check the rules of your current country before you apply, as you could lose that nationality.
How long does a citizenship application take?
Decisions usually take around 6 months. You then attend a citizenship ceremony, normally within 3 months of approval.
What documents do I need for a British citizenship application?
Usually your passport, proof of your settled status (such as ILR or EU settled status), your Life in the UK test pass, proof of English, evidence of where you have lived, and details of two referees. If you are applying through marriage, you also need your marriage or civil partnership certificate. We give you a full checklist.