Unless you are of British ancestry, you must apply to the Home Office for UK naturalisation. British citizenship entitles you to apply for a British passport, vote, and to live and work in the United Kingdom without being subject to immigration rules.
You must demonstrate that you fit the naturalisation criteria through your naturalisation application; otherwise, your application will be denied and your fee will not be returned.
Requirements for naturalization UK
If you meet the following criteria, you may apply for UK naturalisation:
Age
You are at least 18 years old.
Residence
You have had settled status in the UK for a minimum of 12 months at the time of your application, either through Indefinite Leave to Remain or as an EEA national, through permanent residence or settled status in the UK.
Absence
You have not been absent from the UK for an extended amount of time throughout the qualifying period, i.e. more than 450 days in the last five years, and your absences have not exceeded 90 days in the 12 months immediately before your application. The Home Office does not include days spent travelling when determining the number of days missing.
Test
You possess the necessary English language skills and have passed the Life in the UK test.
Good character
You are of ‘good character’ and have no major or recent criminal record, as well as having violated no immigration laws or regulations while in the United Kingdom.
Naturalisation as a British citizen’s spouse
After three years of continuous residence in the UK, where they have ILR, permanent residency, or established status, spouses of British nationals may apply.
Absences cannot exceed 270 days in the preceding three years and cannot exceed 90 days in the twelve months immediately preceding the submission of your application.
Naturalisation in UK & dual nationality
Prior to applying for naturalisation as a British citizen, you should check with your current place of nationality to see if dual citizenship with the UK is permitted. Due to the fact that some nations prohibit citizens from holding dual nationality, it is critical to understand the impact of UK naturalisation on your present nationality.
How to apply for British naturalisation
To apply for naturalisation as British citizen, you must complete Form (AN) and pay the £1,330 naturalisation application cost in the United Kingdom (as set in March 2019).
Additionally, you will need to prepare and submit documentation to demonstrate your eligibility. While the application form is basic, the information you provide about yourself, your absences, and the documentation you send in support of your application must be complete or your application will be delayed or denied, resulting in the loss of your application money.
Additionally, UKVI has the authority to take action against you if it is alleged that you have made a false statement or submitted a fraudulent document. In most situations, you will also need to schedule an appointment with a UKVCAS center to submit your biometric data.
Once submitted, UKVI will assess your submission, cross-referencing it against information such as HMRC records, validating your visa status in the UK, and checking for any criminal or civil proceedings that could result in your disbarment.
If your application is granted, you will receive an invitation to a citizenship ceremony at a center near you. You will acquire a Certificate of Naturalisation at this location, which you can use to apply for a British passport.
Referees for British naturalisation application
You must include the names and contact information for two referees with your naturalisation application. Both references for naturalisation must have known you personally for a minimum of three years. One of the referees must be a professional in some capacity, such as an accountant, police officer, or chemist, and may be of any nationality. The other referee should be a British citizen with a British passport and be over the age of 25 or a professional. Both referees must sign and complete the same sheet, which must include a passport photograph of you. You cannot have two distinct pages.
Was your application for naturalization Refused?
If your naturalisation application is rejected, you must understand the grounds for refusal in order to determine whether to resubmit the application or file a new one. For instance, did you submit the form incorrectly, did you pay the incorrect fee, or was your application rejected on discretionary grounds? Given the stakes, seeking guidance can assist you in determining your alternatives and the best course of action.
Naturalisation with criminal record
Prior offences and convictions will almost certainly have an effect on your naturalisation application. The extent to which you will be impacted is determined by a variety of circumstances, including the nature of the offence (s), whether you got a jail sentence, and if the conviction is expunged. By law, you must reveal all felony convictions as part of your naturalisation application. Failure to do so may result in your application being denied and may have a negative influence on any future UK applications you submit.
How can we assist?
British naturalisation applications frequently fail due to insufficient documentation, form completion problems, and a failure to reply promptly to Home Office inquiries. You can prevent a refusal by seeking professional advice on how to submit your application for British naturalisation.
We recognize how stressful Home Office application processes can be and take a proactive approach to keep you informed of your application’s progress. We take great delight in assisting you in navigating a life-changing journey.
