• 3rd Floor, Maddox House,
    1 Maddox Street
    Mayfair, London, W1S 2PZ
  • +44 (0) 207 118 8005

British Citizenship

Naturalisation

Naturalisation is a process by which a foreign national can apply for British citizenship. To apply for British nationality you must be over 18, of sound mind and good character and plan to continue living in the United Kingdom.

Additionally, you must demonstrate that you have good knowledge of the English language by completing an approved English test or academic course.  You must have passed the ‘Life in the UK’ test to show that you understand British history and culture.

You must alsomeet various other requirements to be able to make an application for Naturalisation as a British citizen;

  • You must have lived in the United Kingdom for at least 5 years prior to applying for British citizenship. In this 5 year period you must not have left the UK for more than 450 days and you must not have been outside the country for more than 90 days in the 12 months before making your application.
  • A key requirement is that you must have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK. This means that you do not have a date by which you must leave the United Kingdom.
  • You cannot apply for British Citizenship if you have broken any immigration rules whilst in the United Kingdom. Therefore, if you entered the United Kingdom illegally or have overstayed on your visa, you will not be eligible to apply for naturalisation as a British Citizen.

There are different requirements for applications made by spouses or civil partners of British citizens.

If you are applying for naturalisation after gaining ILR through the Investor or Entrepreneur routes, you may need to extra financial information relating to the payment of tax to the HMRC.

If you are a European Economic Area (EEA) National or a Swiss national or a family member of such a person, you will automatically gain permanent residency if you have been exercising Treaty rights for a continuous 5 year period. You will then be eligible to apply for naturalisation as a British citizen providing that you have not been absent from the UK for more than 6 months in the last 5 years. In exceptional circumstances, the Home Office may use discretion when assessing your absences.

If your application is successful, you will be invited to a citizenship ceremony which is organised by your local council. At the ceremony you will be asked to make an ‘oath of allegiance’ to the United Kingdom. You will also need to pledge to respect the rights, freedoms and laws of the UK to affirm your commitment as a new British citizen.

After making you oath, you will be presented with a certificate of your British Citizenship.

As a naturalised British citizen you will be entitled to the same rights and benefits as a person who has been born with British Nationality.

Latest News

Senior Tory argues students should be exempt from immigration cap

The former Conservative deputy Prime Minister, Lord Heseltine has told the BBC in an interview whilst attending the Conservat Oct, 14, 2014

Entrepreneur Visa – Key legal changes and decisions from the summer of 2014

  On the 10th July 2014 the Secretary of State introduced restrictions on in country applications from mig Aug, 20, 2014

Political Changes to Article 45

The free movement of economically employed workers and their families is established in Article 45 of the Treaty of the Funct Aug, 15, 2014

What would be the impact of the United Kingdom’s new rules regarding the UK’s Investor Visa?

Nowadays, if an individual wishes to come to the United Kingdom for a business matter, he can apply for a Tier 1 visa. For th Aug, 04, 2014

Non – Custodial Sentences in Immigration Law

It will take nobody by surprise when completing a UK visa application that the form requires them to divulge their criminal h Jul, 24, 2014