Are you looking to become a British citizen? Understanding the eligibility criteria and fees associated with the application process is crucial. In this guide, we will walk you through the requirements you need to meet and the costs involved in applying for British citizenship.
Eligibility Criteria
Residency Requirements
To qualify for British citizenship, you must have resided in the UK for a minimum of 5 years before the date of your application. It's important to note that you should not have violated any UK immigration laws during this period.
If you possess indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK, the Home Office typically does not check for immigration law violations before that status was granted.
Indefinite Leave and 'Settled Status'
You can apply for citizenship if you've lived in the UK for 5 years and have had one of the following statuses for 12 months:
Indefinite leave to remain in the UK
'Settled status' (also known as 'indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme')
Indefinite leave to enter the UK (permission to move to the UK permanently from abroad)
If you are married to a British citizen, you do not need to wait for 12 months with these statuses.
Additional Requirements
In addition to the residency requirements, you must also meet the following criteria:
Be over 18 years old
Prove that you were in the UK exactly 5 years before the day the Home Office receives your application
Demonstrate your knowledge of English, Welsh, or Scottish Gaelic
Pass the life in the UK test
Have the intention to continue living in the UK
Possess good character (read the naturalisation guidance for more details)
Time Spent Outside the UK
Certain limitations apply to the time you can spend outside the UK:
You should not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK during the 5 years before your application.
No more than 90 days should have been spent outside the UK in the last 12 months.
You should not have violated any UK immigration laws during your stay in the UK.
Losing Indefinite Leave
Be cautious of losing your indefinite leave to remain or enter if you've been away from the UK for an extended period:
More than 2 years at any time since you received it (you'll need to apply for a Returning Resident visa).
More than 5 years if you have settled status.
More than 4 years if you are a Swiss citizen or the family member of a Swiss citizen with settled status.
These are the basic requirements for applying for British citizenship. However, there may be alternative pathways, so it's advisable to check if you're eligible through other routes.
When to Apply
Timing is crucial when applying for British citizenship. You must have been physically present in the UK exactly 5 years before the Home Office receives your application. Failure to meet this requirement may result in your application being rejected, unless there are special circumstances, such as health reasons or travel restrictions.
Example
For instance, if the Home Office receives your application on 20 June 2022, but you left the UK on 10 June 2017 and returned on 25 June 2017, you will not qualify. In this case, you'll need to wait until 24 June 2022 to apply.
The date the Home Office receives your application depends on how you apply. If you apply online, your application will be received on the same day. However, it may take longer if you choose to apply by post.
Application Fees
Finally, let's talk about the cost associated with applying for British citizenship. As of the latest information available, the application fee is £1,330. Additionally, you will be required to provide your biometric information, including fingerprints and a photo. Fortunately, there is no separate fee for this process, and you will receive instructions on how to proceed after submitting your application.
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