Naturalisation As A British Citizen
You can apply for Naturalisation as a British citizen if you meet all the eligibility requirements for the Naturalisation application.
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Naturalisation As A British Citizen
Applying for British citizenship by Naturalisation is the last step toward permanent settlement in the UK. British citizenship grants you full permission to live, work, and travel as a UK citizen. Once your application for Naturalisation as a British citizen is successful then you can apply for a UK passport.
If you are looking for a British citizenship solicitor for legal advice & help with your British naturalisation application, then look no further. Speak to our UK nationality and British citizenship solicitors to apply for British citizenship by Naturalisation and find out whether you meet the eligibility requirements.
No matter where you live, our solicitors in Manchester provide Naturalisation and British citizenship related services nationwide.
You can contact us on 01612258181 or leave your details here for a call back request regarding your immigration matter.
If you were born in the UK
You do not automatically become a British citizen if you were born in the UK. It depends on when you were born and your parents’ circumstances.
You may be eligible to apply for citizenship if you were born in the UK and are not automatically a British citizen.
Eligibility criteria
The requirements for naturalisation as a British citizen differ depending on whether or not you are applying on the basis of marriage or civil partnership with a British citizen.
If you are married to or the civil partner of a British citizen (section 6(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981)
The legal requirements you should meet before you apply are that you:
- Are aged 18 or over when you apply.
- Are married to or the civil partner of a British citizen on the date of application.
- Are of sound mind, so that you understand the step you are taking.
- Can communicate in English to an acceptable level.
- Have sufficient knowledge about life in the UK.
- Are of good character
- Have lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years before you apply and meet the following residence requirements:
The residence requirements:
- You must have been physically present in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands on the day 3 years before the application is received by the Home Office.
- You must not have had more than 270 days outside the UK in the 3-year period before making the application.
- You must not have had more than 90 days outside the UK in the 12-month period before making the application, (but see the section on Absences from the UK).
- You must be free from immigration time restrictions on the date of application.
- You must not have been in breach of the immigration laws in the 3-year period before making the application.
You must also meet all the other eligibility requirements. Please contact us for initial assessment to determine your eligibility, and to discuss the options.
If you are NOT married to or the civil partner of a British citizen (Section 6(1) of the British Nationality Act 1981)
The legal requirements you should meet before you apply are that you:
- Are aged 18 or over when you apply.
- Are of sound mind, so that you understand the step you are taking.
- Intend to continue to live in the UK, or to continue in Crown service, the service of an international organisation of which the UK is a member, or the service of a company or association established in the UK.
- Can communicate in English to an acceptable level.
- Have sufficient knowledge about life in the UK.
- Are of good character
- Have lived in the UK for a minimum of 5 years before you apply and meet the following residence requirements.
The residence requirements:
- You must have been physically present in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands on the day 5 years before the application is received by the Home Office.
- If you are a current or former member of the UK armed forces, you may not have to meet this requirement, if you were serving outside of the UK on the date 5 years before applying.
- You must not have had more than 450 days outside the UK in the 5-year period before making the application.
- You must not have had more than 90 days outside the UK in the 12-month period before making the application (but see the section on Absences from the UK).
- You must be free from immigration time restrictions on the date of application and have been free from immigration time restrictions for the 12-month period before making the application.
- You must not have been in breach of the immigration laws in the 5-year period before making the application.
You must also meet all the other eligibility requirements. Please contact us for initial assessment to determine your eligibility, and to discuss the options.
Good Character requirement
An applicant for naturalisation as a British citizen must satisfy the good character requirement to succeed in his application.
To be of good character you should have shown respect for the rights and freedoms of the UK, observe its laws and fulfilled your duties and obligations as a resident of the UK. Checks will be carried out to ensure that the information you give is correct.
If you are not honest about the information you provide, and you are registered on the basis of incorrect or fraudulent information you will be liable to have British citizenship taken away (deprivation) and you may be prosecuted. It is a criminal offence to make a false declaration knowing that it is untrue.
English Language requirement
If you are applying for Naturalisation as a British citizen and you’re 18 or over then you might need to prove your knowledge of the English language. You can prove your knowledge of the English language by having either an English qualification at the B1 level or a degree taught in English.
You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you are aged 65 or over or unable to, because of a long-term physical or mental condition.
Life in the UK test
The Life in the UK test is a compulsory requirement for British citizenship applications. The main object of the Life in the UK test is to prove that the applicant has adequate knowledge of British life such as British values, history, traditions, and everyday life.
What documents are required?
The main required information and documents for British citizenship are as follows:
- Proof of your identity such as current valid passport, Home Office travel document, birth certificate or driving licence etc.
- Biometric Residence Permit (BRP Card) (if have been issued to you).
- Proof you have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status.
- Documents about absences from the UK.
- Proof of knowledge of English.
- Information related to the Life in the UK test.
You must also submit all the other supporting documents depending upon your circumstances and the type of your British citizenship application.
Our legal fees
Our British citizenship solicitors charge a fixed fee between £700-£1200 (Excl. VAT) for our professional legal services regarding the British Naturalisation application. The agreed fixed fee will depend on the complexity of the matter and the casework involved in the matter.
Call us for a free legal advice
0161 225 8181
Or ask a question to our Injury solicitor