British Citizenship
To become a British citizen, you can do so by birth or through the naturalisation process if you are 18 years or older. To be eligible, you must demonstrate that you have been in the UK with Indefinite Leave to Remain or EU Settled Status for a minimum of three years, and have maintained a clean record with respect to UK law, including immigration regulations.
Upon approval of your request for permanent residence status, you will be able to live, work, and study in the UK indefinitely without any immigration constraints. You will also have the freedom to travel and spend time abroad without jeopardising your status.
If you are from another country, you can typically apply for citizenship 12 months after obtaining indefinite leave to remain. If you have a British spouse, civil partner, or have a settled status, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship after living in the UK for the past 5 years (or 3 years if you have a British husband, wife, or civil partner).
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- What are the British Citizenship requirements?
- How to become a British Citizenship by Naturalisation?
- What is the life in the UK test and how can I prepare for it?
- How to book your test and the accepted forms of ID
- When you do not need to take the test?
- What are the different routes for British Citizenship?
- What are the differences between British Citizenship and Indefinite Leave to Remain?
- I have been granted ILR when can I apply for British citizenship?
What are the British Citizenship requirements?
Based on the British Nationality Act, individuals applying for Naturalisation as a British citizen must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be over the age of 18.
- Have completed at least 5 years of continuous residence in the UK, with no more than 450 days spent outside the UK during this period.
- Have held Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK for at least 12 months.
- Meet the B1 CEFR level English language requirements, unless exempt.
- Pass the Life in the UK Test to demonstrate awareness of British customs, traditions, and culture.
- Not have been in breach of any UK immigration rules.
- Demonstrate that they meet the Good Character requirement.
Applicants are also required to provide evidence of their current immigration status and any UK visas they have held. Additionally, they must prove their knowledge of English, Welsh, or Scottish Gaelic and their intention to continue living in the UK. Applicants should also be of good character and have not broken any UK immigration laws.
What are the British Citizenship by Naturalisation?
Based on the British Nationality Act, individuals applying for Naturalisation as a British citizen must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be over the age of 18.
- Have completed at least 5 years of continuous residence in the UK, with no more than 450 days spent outside the UK during this period.
- Have held Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK for at least 12 months.
- Meet the B1 CEFR level English language requirements, unless exempt.
- Pass the Life in the UK Test to demonstrate awareness of British customs, traditions, and culture.
- Not have been in breach of any UK immigration rules.
- Demonstrate that they meet the Good Character requirement.
Applicants are also required to provide evidence of their current immigration status and any UK visas they have held. Additionally, they must prove their knowledge of English, Welsh, or Scottish Gaelic and their intention to continue living in the UK. Applicants should also be of good character and have not broken any UK immigration laws.
To qualify for British citizenship through Naturalisation, you must meet specific criteria related to your immigration status, length of residence in the UK, language proficiency, and good character. The requirements differ based on whether you are married to a British citizen or not.
For individuals not married to a British citizen:
- You must have been in the UK on the day five years before your application date.
- During the 5 year period, you should not have been absent from the UK for more than 450 days.
You must not have breached UK immigration laws during the 5 year period. - In the 12 months before your application, you should not have been absent from the UK for more than 90 days.
- You should not be subject to any time limit on your stay in the UK.
- You must demonstrate good character and have sufficient knowledge of the English language.
- Your intention should be to make the UK your home if your application is successful.
For individuals married to a British citizen:
- You must have been in the UK on the day three years before your application date.
- During the 3 year period, you should not have been absent from the UK for more than 270 days.
- You must not have breached UK immigration laws during the 3 year period.
- In the 12 months before your application, you should not have been absent from the UK for more than 90 days.
- You should not be subject to any time limit on your stay in the UK.
- You must demonstrate good character and have sufficient knowledge of the English language.
The specific requirements may vary based on individual circumstances. It is advisable to seek advice from an immigration lawyer for expert guidance.
What is the life in the UK test and how can I prepare for it?
The Life in the UK Test is a computer based, multiple choice exam that assesses an individual’s knowledge of British customs, traditions, and culture.You’ll have 45 minutes to answer 24 questions about British traditions and customs. Here are some tips on how to prepare for the test:
- The test is based on the official handbook “Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents.” It is recommended to thoroughly read and understand the content of this handbook. (The handbook is available as a book, an eBook, an eLearning subscription or in audio formats)
- Utilise authorised practice materials and take online practice tests to familiarise yourself with the test format and assess your knowledge.
- The test covers a wide range of topics, including values and principles of the UK, historical milestones, and influential figures. It’s important to study the official handbook thoroughly to ensure comprehensive preparation.
- If English is not your first language, it’s advisable to enhance your vocabulary and study the glossary included in the Life in the UK Test Handbook.
- You need to book the test at least 3 days in advance. The test costs £50, and there are over 30 test centres in the UK. You can choose where to take your test when you book.
- Many online platforms offer free practice tests that mimic the real exam using past exam questions, giving you an idea of the question structure and type of content you need to study.
By following these tips and thoroughly preparing for the test, you can increase your chances of passing and proceeding with your application for British citizenship or settlement in the UK.
How to book your test and the accepted forms of ID
Before booking the Life in the UK Test, you need to ensure that you have an accepted form of ID. The following are accepted forms of ID for booking the test:
You need all of the following to book a test:
- email address
- debit or credit card
- an accepted form of ID
Accepted forms of ID
You can use one of the following as ID to book the test:
- valid passport
- valid travel document with a photo (you cannot use an emergency travel document)
- biometric residence permit
- biometric residence card
Check the ‘Identification requirements’ document to make sure the ID you have is acceptable. It’s important to ensure that the ID you use to book the test is the same ID you will bring with you on the day of the test.
When you do not need to take the test?
Before booking the Life in the UK Test, you need to ensure that you have an accepted form of ID. The following are accepted forms of ID for booking the test:
You need all of the following to book a test:
- email address
- debit or credit card
- an accepted form of ID
Accepted forms of ID
You can use one of the following as ID to book the test:
- valid passport
- valid travel document with a photo (you cannot use an emergency travel document)
- biometric residence permit
- biometric residence card
Check the ‘Identification requirements’ document to make sure the ID you have is acceptable. It’s important to ensure that the ID you use to book the test is the same ID you will bring with you on the day of the test.
What are the different routes for British Citizenship?
The different routes to register as a British citizen include:
British Citizenship by Birth or Descent
Individuals born in the UK after 1st January 1983, or born abroad to at least one parent who is a British citizen or settled person, may be eligible for British citizenship.
British Citizenship by Marriage
Overseas nationals with Indefinite Leave to Remain who have been married to a UK citizen for at least 3 years can apply for British citizenship.
Naturalisation
Overseas nationals who have completed 5 years of continuous residence in the UK and meet the English language, Life in the UK Test, and good character requirements can apply for British citizenship through naturalisation.
Citizenship for Stateless Individuals
Individuals who are “stateless” and not recognized as citizens of any country may be eligible for British citizenship.
Registration
Certain individuals from overseas countries may be eligible to register as British citizens, such as those born abroad to a British citizen.
It is important to carefully review the specific eligibility criteria and documentation requirements for each of these routes before proceeding with an application for British citizenship.
What are the differences between British Citizenship and Indefinite Leave to Remain?
The differences between British Citizenship and Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) are as follows:
- ILR and British Citizenship both grant the right to reside in the UK without immigration time restrictions, access to the NHS, the right to study, work, and access public funds in the UK.
- British Citizenship offers additional benefits such as the right to vote, apply for a British passport, and hold public office.
- British Citizenship lasts for life, while ILR can be lost if an individual is outside the UK for too long.
- Those with ILR do not have the right to vote in UK elections (national or local), whereas British, Irish and qualifying Commonwealth citizens have this right.
- ILR does not grant the right to apply for a British passport or hold public office, which are privileges of British citizenship.
- An individual can apply for British citizenship after holding ILR for at least one year, with exceptions for spouses of British citizens who can apply for citizenship once they have ILR status.
While both ILR and British citizenship grant the right to live and work in the UK, British citizenship offers additional rights and privileges, including the ability to vote, apply for a British passport, and hold public office.
"I have been granted ILR when can I apply for British citizenship?"
You can apply for British citizenship after holding Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for a minimum of one year. This means you must have lived in the UK for at least one full year before making your application.
However, if you are the spouse of a British citizen, you do not have to wait 12 months and can apply for British citizenship once you have ILR status. It’s important to note that you must have lived in the UK for the past 5 years (or 3 years if you have a British husband, wife, or civil partner) before applying for citizenship.
Additionally, you must not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK during the 5 years before your application. In the 12 months prior to applying for British citizenship, you must not have spent more than 90 days overseas. It’s also essential that you have not breached any immigration laws during your time in the UK and can demonstrate that you are of “good character” without criminal convictions or a history of immigration offences.
Furthermore, you must have a good standard of the English language and an understanding of the country’s history and customs. If you meet these requirements, you can apply for British citizenship after holding ILR for at least one year.
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