British Naturalisation
British Naturalisation Services UK
Becoming a Citizen through British Naturalisation. The Journey to British Citizenship.
How We Help: A Mistake-Free Process for You
Get in touch for personalised advice tailored to your situation.
What You Must Have: The Checklist for Naturalisation.
You must be:
- At least personal support old.
- A UK resident with settled status for a minimum of one year.
- Absent from the UK for not more than the set limit during the qualifying period.
- Competent in English and have passed the Life in the UK test.
- A person of ‘good character’ with no severe or recent criminal history.
- In the UK lawfully during the entire qualifying time.
- Intending to make the UK your forever home.
Other Rules: Based on Your Relationship Status.
- Less than 90 days absence from the UK in the last year.
- Compliance with all UK immigration rules in the last five years.
And if you're married to a British citizen, the criteria slightly differ:
- Less than 90 days absence in the last year.
- A clean immigration record for the past three years.
Special Cases: Flexibility in Requirements.
Do note, some British Naturalisation criteria are non-negotiable, like having a good character and meeting the basic residency criteria.
When to Apply?
Got ILR? What's Next?
If you’re married to a British citizen, you can apply immediately after getting ILR. Otherwise, you must wait one year post-ILR to start your naturalisation process. Trust Us to guide you through this pivotal life event. Feel free to contact Nexus Consultancy experts for any more details or guidance.
English Skills Needed: To become a British citizen via British Naturalisation, you need to show that you’re good at speaking one of the British languages, like English, Welsh, or Scottish Gaelic. The UKVI will only accept IELTS tests from approved centres. You must score at least a B1 on your test from ESOL. You’ll have to do well in speaking and listening parts of the exam. NVQs and GCSEs won’t work here.
Exemptions: There are some cases where you don’t have to prove your English skills:
- If you have a degree taught in English.
- If you’re over 65.
- If you have a serious health condition.
- You can also use an Academic Qualification Level Statement (AQUALS) to show your degree is equal to a UK one and taught in English.
Life in the UK Test: The test costs £50 and has 24 multiple-choice questions about British life and history. To prepare, use the Life in the UK Handbook. You need to get at least 18 right answers to pass. You can try as many times as you need. If you’ve already passed this test for other Home Office needs, you don’t have to take it again.
Exceptions to Life in the UK Test: If you’re under 18 or over 65, or have a chronic illness, you’re excused from this test.
Good Character: You must be a person of ‘good character’. This term isn’t clearly defined, but the Home Office will look at your background for things like criminal activities or financial troubles. Be extra careful when filling out this part of the application.
Criminal Record: Having a criminal history could affect your application. Always disclose any criminal records, as not doing so could lead to problems down the line.
Absence Rules: You can’t be outside the UK for more than 90 days in the year before applying. Over a five-year period, you can’t be out of the UK for more than 450 days (or 270 days if you’re married to a British citizen).
EU Nationals: If you came to the UK before 2021, you need full EU settled status and five years of residency. New arrivals will need a valid visa that allows for British Naturalisation.
Referees: You need two people to vouch for you. One should be a professional person, and the other should be a British citizen over 25. They can’t be related to you, work for the Home Office, or have a recent criminal record.
How Long Does It Take?
Travel Rules: You can leave the UK while waiting for your application to be processed. Just make sure to keep your original passport and show your immigration status when you return.
Days Outside the UK: You can’t be outside the UK for more than 90 days in the year before applying, or more than 450 days over five years (or 270 days if married to a British citizen).
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How much does it cost?
| Visa Type | Embassy Fee | Service Fee | Total | Select | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 day service-Multi entry upto 2 year |
£150
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£170
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£320
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| 4 day service-Multi entry upto 2 year |
£181
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£170
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£351
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