British citizenship applications

If you are considering applying for British citizenship, our immigration lawyers and solicitors can advise you on your eligibility and the most appropriate route for your circumstances. We assist with naturalisation applications, including applications under the 3-year and 5-year routes, and can help you prepare and submit your application.

Last updated: August 2026

Applying for British citizenship through naturalisation

Naturalisation is the process through which an eligible adult can apply to become a British citizen.

There are two main routes for adults who have lived in the UK:

the 5-year naturalisation route, which generally applies to people who are not married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen; and
the 3-year naturalisation route, which may apply if you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen.

The requirements are different depending on the route, so it is important to establish which route applies to you before submitting an application.

Who can apply for British citizenship?

Naturalisation is generally available to adults aged 18 or over who meet the relevant requirements under British nationality law.

For most applicants, this means having lived in the UK for the required qualifying period and being free from immigration time restrictions. Under the standard 5-year route, you will normally need to have held Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), settled status or indefinite leave to enter for at least 12 months before applying.

If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you may be able to apply under the 3-year route without waiting 12 months after obtaining your permanent immigration status.

You must also meet other requirements, including the relevant residence requirements, the English language and Life in the UK requirements, and the good character requirement.

The requirements can vary depending on your circumstances, so it is important to establish which naturalisation route applies to you before making an application.

The 5-year naturalisation route

If you are not married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you will generally need to have lived in the UK for at least five years before applying for naturalisation.

You will normally need to:

be aged 18 or over;
have been physically present in the UK exactly five years before the date the Home Office receives your application;
have been free from immigration time restrictions for at least 12 months before applying;
not have been in breach of the UK immigration laws during the five-year qualifying period;
not have been outside the UK for more than 450 days during the five-year qualifying period, or more than 90 days during the final 12 months, subject to the Home Office’s discretion in appropriate circumstances;
meet the English language requirement;
have passed the Life in the UK Test;
satisfy the good character requirement; and
intend to continue living in the UK, subject to the exceptions recognised under the naturalisation requirements.

The residence requirements are particularly important. Your application can be affected by your travel history, including whether you were physically present in the UK on the first day of the qualifying period and whether you have exceeded the usual absence limits.

If you have concerns about your immigration history, absences from the UK or eligibility for naturalisation, it is advisable to obtain legal advice before submitting your application.

The 3-year route for spouses and civil partners of British citizens

Unlike the standard 5-year route, you do not generally need to have held Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status for 12 months before applying. You must, however, be free from immigration time restrictions when you apply.

You will normally need to:

be aged 18 or over;
be married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen on the date of your application;
have lived in the UK for at least three years;
have been physically present in the UK exactly three years before the date the Home Office receives your application;
not have been in breach of the UK immigration laws during the three-year qualifying period;
have not been outside the UK for more than 270 days during the three-year qualifying period or more than 90 days during the final 12 months, subject to the Home Office’s discretion in appropriate circumstances;
be free from immigration time restrictions on the date of application;
meet the English language requirement;
have passed the Life in the UK Test; and
satisfy the good character requirement.

The residence requirements are important. Your travel history should be checked carefully before applying, including whether you were physically present in the UK on the relevant date three years before your application.

If you have exceeded the usual absence limits or have concerns about your immigration history, it is advisable to obtain legal advice before submitting your application.

British citizenship requirements

To qualify for British citizenship through naturalisation, you must meet a number of legal requirements. The requirements that apply to you will depend on whether you are applying under the standard 5-year route or as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen.

These include requirements relating to your residence in the UK, immigration status, knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic, the Life in the UK Test and good character. Applicants under the standard route must also normally intend to make the UK their home.

It is important to consider all of the requirements before submitting your application, particularly if you have spent significant periods outside the UK or have concerns about your immigration history.

Residence and absences from the UK

The residence requirements for naturalisation depend on whether you are applying under the 5-year route or the 3-year route as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen.

Under the 5-year route, you should normally have been absent from the UK for no more than:

450 days during the five-year qualifying period; and
90 days during the final 12 months of that period.

Under the 3-year route, you should normally have been absent from the UK for no more than:

270 days during the three-year qualifying period; and
90 days during the final 12 months of that period.

The Home Office can exercise discretion where the usual absence limits have been exceeded. Whether discretion may be appropriate depends on the circumstances of the case and the extent and reasons for the absences. Meeting the relevant discretion criteria does not guarantee that excess absences will be disregarded.

You must also normally have been physically present in the UK on the first day of your relevant qualifying period. This means being in the UK exactly five years before the application is received under the 5-year route, or exactly three years before the application is received under the spouse or civil partner route.

Your travel history should therefore be checked carefully before submitting an application, particularly if you have had significant absences from the UK.

Indefinite Leave to Remain or settled status

For most applicants, you must be free from immigration time restrictions when you apply for British citizenship.

Under the standard 5-year naturalisation route, you will generally need to have been free from immigration time restrictions for at least 12 months before applying. This will usually mean holding Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), including ILR granted under the EU Settlement Scheme, also known as settled status.

If you are applying as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen, you generally only need to be free from immigration time restrictions on the date you apply. You do not normally need to wait a further 12 months after obtaining ILR or settled status.

There are some circumstances in which a person may be free from immigration time restrictions without holding ILR or settled status. For example, Irish citizens are generally considered settled for naturalisation purposes from the date they arrive in the UK.

If you are unsure whether your current immigration status meets the requirements for naturalisation, it is advisable to obtain legal advice before submitting your application.

English language requirement

Most applicants for British citizenship must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic.

For English, you can generally meet the requirement by:

passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) at the required level;
having an eligible academic qualification that was taught or researched in English; or
relying on another form of evidence accepted under the nationality rules.

There are exemptions in certain circumstances. For example, you may not need to meet the language requirement if you are aged 65 or over or have a long-term physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting it.

If you were exempt from the English language requirement when you applied for settlement, you may need to provide evidence of your exemption again when applying for British citizenship.

The English language requirement can be technical, particularly where you are relying on a qualification obtained outside the UK or evidence used for a previous immigration application. If you are unsure whether your evidence is acceptable, we can advise you before you apply.

Life in the UK Test

Most applicants for British citizenship must pass the Life in the UK Test before applying for naturalisation. The test is designed to assess your knowledge of British life, history, government and society.

The test is separate from the English language requirement, so passing the Life in the UK Test does not by itself satisfy the requirement to demonstrate knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic.

You do not normally need to take the test again if you have already passed it for an earlier settlement application. There are also exemptions in certain circumstances, including for some applicants because of their age or a long-term physical or mental condition.

If you are required to take the test, you should make sure you have passed it before submitting your citizenship application. You will need to provide the relevant reference details in your application so that the Home Office can verify your result.

Good character requirement

Applicants for naturalisation must satisfy the Home Office that they are of good character. There is no single definition of good character in British nationality law, and each application is assessed on its individual circumstances.

The Home Office may consider a range of matters when assessing good character, including:

criminal convictions and other criminality;
deception or dishonesty;
previous immigration breaches;
illegal entry or presence in the UK; and
other conduct or circumstances that may be relevant to the assessment.

The significance of an issue will depend on the individual circumstances, including what happened, when it occurred, the applicant’s conduct since then and any relevant mitigating factors.

If you have a criminal conviction, previous immigration breach, period of overstaying, deception issue, illegal entry or another matter that could affect your good character, it is important to consider the potential impact before submitting a citizenship application.

We can advise you on potential good character issues and help you assess whether they should be addressed or explained as part of your application.

Intention to continue living in the UK

The documents you need for a British citizenship application will depend on your circumstances and the naturalisation route you are applying under.

Depending on your circumstances, you may need to provide:

your current and previous passports or other evidence of identity;
evidence of your immigration status, such as evidence of ILR or settled status;
evidence of your residence and travel history in the UK;
evidence that you have passed the Life in the UK Test;
evidence of your knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic where required;
evidence of your marriage or civil partnership to a British citizen if you are applying under the 3-year route; and
any other documents needed to address your individual circumstances.

You may also need to provide documents or explanations relating to previous immigration issues, criminal convictions, absences from the UK or other matters that could affect your application.

It is important that the information in your application is consistent with your supporting documents and immigration history. Where there are gaps, discrepancies or unusual circumstances, these should be identified and addressed before the application is submitted.

What documents do you need for British citizenship?

The documents required will depend on your circumstances and the route under which you are applying.

Depending on your case, you may need evidence such as:

your current and previous passports;
evidence of your immigration status;
evidence of your residence in the UK;
details of your absences from the UK;
evidence that you have passed the Life in the UK Test;
evidence of your English language ability where required;
evidence of your relationship to a British citizen if applying under the spouse or civil partner route; and
other documents required to address your individual circumstances.

It is important that the information in your application is consistent with the supporting documents and your immigration history.

Where there are gaps, discrepancies or unusual circumstances, these should be identified and addressed before the application is submitted.

How to apply for British citizenship

British citizenship applications through naturalisation are generally made online using Form AN. The application requires you to provide detailed information about your identity, residence in the UK, travel history, immigration status and other relevant circumstances.

You will need to provide the required supporting evidence and complete the biometric enrolment process. Before submitting your application, it is important to check that you meet all of the relevant legal requirements and that the information provided is accurate and complete.

Once your application has been submitted, the Home Office may carry out checks and may contact you if it requires further information or evidence.

Priority service for British citizenship applications

Applicants making a citizenship application from within the UK can now use the citizenship priority service if they want a faster decision.

The Home Office states that priority applications will usually receive a decision within 30 working days, although this is not guaranteed. A longer processing time may apply where additional checks are required or the application is particularly complex.

The priority service is subject to an additional fee. If you are considering using the service, it is important to establish that your application is suitable for priority processing before submitting it.

How long does a British citizenship application take?

The Home Office aims to conclude British citizenship applications within six months of receiving the application. Most applicants receive a decision within this timeframe, although some applications can take longer if further information, evidence or checks are required.

The time taken to process an application can depend on the circumstances of the case and whether the Home Office needs to make additional enquiries.

If you are considering travelling or making other important plans, you should not rely on an assumed decision date.

Applicants who are eligible can also choose the citizenship priority service, which usually aims to provide a decision within 30 working days. This is not guaranteed, particularly where additional checks are required or the application is complex

How much does British citizenship cost?

As of August 2026, the Home Office fee for an adult naturalisation application is £1,709, plus the £130 citizenship ceremony fee, making the total £1,839.

You will also need to provide your biometric information, including your fingerprints and photograph. There is currently no separate fee for biometric enrolment.

Additional costs may apply depending on your circumstances, such as the cost of taking the Life in the UK Test, an English language test, obtaining documents or arranging translations.

If you choose to use the citizenship priority service, an additional fee applies.

Home Office fees can change, so you should check the current fee before submitting your application.

What happens after your citizenship application is approved?

If your British citizenship application is approved, you will normally receive an invitation to attend a citizenship ceremony. If you are aged 18 or over, you must attend a citizenship ceremony to complete the naturalisation process.

At the ceremony, you will make an oath or affirmation of allegiance and a pledge. You will then receive your certificate of naturalisation, which confirms your British citizenship.

You must normally attend your citizenship ceremony within three months of receiving your invitation from the Home Office.

Once you have become a British citizen and received your certificate, you can apply separately for a British passport if you wish to do so. You should not use your naturalisation certificate as a travel document.

Registration as a British citizen

Naturalisation is not the appropriate route for everyone. Some people may be able to register as a British citizen instead, depending on their circumstances.

Registration can apply in a range of situations, including certain cases involving children, people born in the UK, people with a British parent and people who have other connections to British nationality. The eligibility requirements depend on the specific registration route.

Registration is legally different from naturalisation and has its own requirements. If you believe you may be eligible to register as a British citizen, our dedicated Registration as a British Citizen service page provides further information about the different routes and how we can assist.

How Mulgrave Law can help with your British citizenship application

A British citizenship application can appear straightforward, but eligibility can depend on details that are easy to overlook. Issues such as absences from the UK, immigration history, previous convictions or the evidence available to support your application can affect whether you meet the requirements.

At Mulgrave Law, our immigration lawyers and solicitors can assist with both straightforward and more complex naturalisation applications. Depending on your circumstances, we can:

assess your eligibility for British citizenship;
identify the appropriate naturalisation route;
review your immigration history and residence in the UK;
calculate and assess your absences from the UK;
advise on the English language and Life in the UK requirements;
consider potential good character issues;
review your supporting documents and evidence;
prepare and submit your application;
advise on any issues that arise during the application process; and
communicate with the Home Office where appropriate.

Our role is not simply to complete the application form. We consider your circumstances as a whole and identify potential issues before your application is submitted.

Where your circumstances are more complicated, obtaining legal advice before applying can help you understand the requirements, identify potential concerns and decide on the appropriate next step.

Why choose Mulgrave Law for British citizenship?

Choosing the right immigration adviser is important when applying for British citizenship, particularly where your immigration history, residence or other circumstances may require careful consideration.

At Mulgrave Law, we provide clear and tailored advice based on your individual circumstances. Our immigration lawyers and solicitors can assist with both straightforward and more complex naturalisation applications.

We offer:

Advice from experienced immigration lawyers and solicitors;
IAA-regulated immigration services;
Support for clients in London, throughout the UK and internationally;
Clear and transparent fees;
Direct involvement from our legal team; and
A free 30-minute initial consultation to discuss your circumstances and options.

Every citizenship application is different. We take the time to understand your circumstances and identify the appropriate route and any potential issues before you apply.

Frequently asked questions about British citizenship

Can I apply for British citizenship after ILR?

Yes. Under the standard naturalisation route, you will generally need to have held ILR, settled status or indefinite leave to enter for at least 12 months before applying. If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you can generally apply as soon as you have the required permanent status.

Can I apply for British citizenship with settled status?

Yes. Settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme can satisfy the immigration-status requirement for naturalisation. Under the standard route, you will generally need to have held settled status for at least 12 months before applying. The 12-month requirement does not normally apply if you are applying as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen.

How many days can I be outside the UK for British citizenship?

Under the standard 5-year route, you should normally have spent no more than 450 days outside the UK during the five-year qualifying period and no more than 90 days during the final 12 months.

For the spouse or civil partner route, the usual limits are 270 days during the three-year qualifying period and 90 days during the final 12 months.

The Home Office can exercise discretion in certain circumstances where the normal limits are exceeded.

Do I need to pass the Life in the UK Test for citizenship?

Most naturalisation applicants do. There are exemptions in certain circumstances, including some applicants who are exempt because of their age or a long-term physical or mental condition. You should normally have passed the test before submitting your application if you are required to take it.

Do I need an English test for British citizenship?

Most applicants need to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic. There are exemptions and different ways of meeting the requirement depending on your circumstances and the evidence you can rely on.

Can I apply for British citizenship if I have a criminal conviction?

Possibly. Naturalisation applicants must satisfy the Home Office that they are of good character, and the assessment can take account of criminal convictions and other matters.

The effect of a conviction will depend on the circumstances, including the nature of the offence, when it occurred and what happened afterwards. If you have a conviction or another issue that may affect your good character, it is advisable to obtain legal advice before applying.

How long does British citizenship take?

The Home Office says you will usually receive a decision within six months, although some applications take longer. Applications that require additional checks or further information may take longer. A citizenship priority service is also available for eligible applications.

Do I need a solicitor to apply for British citizenship?

There is no requirement to use a solicitor or immigration lawyer. However, professional advice can be particularly useful where your residence history, absences, immigration history, good character or other circumstances are not straightforward.

A lawyer can assess your eligibility, identify potential issues and help ensure the application and supporting evidence are prepared appropriately.

Do I need a solicitor to apply for British citizenship?

No. You do not have to use a solicitor or immigration lawyer to apply for British citizenship.

However, professional advice can be particularly useful where your residence history, absences, immigration history, good character or other circumstances are not straightforward. An immigration lawyer or solicitor can assess your eligibility, identify potential issues and advise you on the evidence and application before you submit it.

Get advice on your British citizenship application

f you are considering applying for British citizenship, our immigration lawyers and solicitors can assess your circumstances and advise you on your eligibility and the appropriate route.

We offer a free 30-minute initial consultation for potential clients who would like to discuss their circumstances, understand their options and find out how we can assist.

Call 020 7253 7248, email info@mulgravelaw.co.uk or contact us online to arrange a consultation.