Shabana Bukhari 
In this blog readers will gain an understanding into how to find an expert naturalization lawyer near you for British citizenship-related legal services.
What is naturalisation and what are the eligibility requirements?
Naturalisation is one of the ways to acquire British citizenship and there are various eligibility requirements which come with this form of application:
- You must be at least 18 years of age or older.
- You must have held ILR for 12 months.
- Meet the good character requirements which is in reference to criminal record, financial status (bankruptcy) and immigration breaches.
- Have been living in the UK for the past 5 years continuously. Continuously means without large amounts of time spent overseas. For instance, you must be careful not to exceed the specified duration of time you are allowed to be out of the UK for. This is no more than 90 days in the 12 months up to the point of submitting your application.
- Meet the English language proficiency level which includes taken a test to prove such.
- Have passed the ‘Life in the UK’ test. Read Henleaze Law’s comprehensive guide on the test here: guide on Life in UK Test.
Why would I need an expert naturalisation lawyer?
There are many reasons that one would need an expert naturalisation lawyer, not least for the fact that having one will likely increase the chance of a successful application.
As a British citizenship application by naturalisation involves a lengthy application and necessary evidence must be submitted. An expert naturalisation lawyer will have a great deal of experience and knowledge on this matter and will be able to direct you to the things you must complete. By entrusting them with your application you have the comfort of knowing that they will fill in the application on your behalf in good time.
Expert naturalisation lawyers will also tailor the application to your needs. Every applicant is different and requires various directions to focus their time. For instance, if you have travelled or lived outside of the UK in the last 5 years, they will tell you what evidence of travel documents you must produce and submit to the Home Office. They will ensure that the Home Office is aware that you have not exceeded the specified duration of time you are allowed to be out of the UK for.
Alternatively, naturalisation lawyers will be able to help you book the necessary tests you must take when meeting the eligibility requirements discussed above. These include the English language requirement test for reading and writing, and the ‘Life in the UK’ test. Your lawyer will be able to direct you to the relevant resources to help prepare you for the tests.
Finally, they will put your application in the Home Office’s required format which is important as most non legally trained people do not understand or are even aware that this must be done. Which means application refusals are likely in this scenario even if you meet all the eligibility requirements and submit the correct evidence.
Overall, expert naturalisation lawyers are key to the success of your application. They guide you through the whole process, explaining what evidence you must produce to accompany your application and booking the necessary tests you must complete.
How do I locate an expert Naturalization Lawyer Near Me?
The process of locating an expert naturalisation lawyer near you is easy.
Using your internet browser on whatever device you have, begin by searching for naturalisation lawyers near your location. You will be able to see on maps which are closest to your location. Moreover, all expert immigration lawyers will offer citizenship application services. Therefore, once you have located a handful of lawyers near you read their online reviews and websites. You can compare firms on this basis, bearing in mind the important factor of proximity of location.
Nonetheless, many expert naturalisation lawyers, especially following the Covid-19 pandemic have been forced to use remote forms of communication and so if you find a lawyer which is not as close to your location as others this is not a deal breaker. You may still be able to use their services albeit remotely via phone or email.
Remember it is extremely important that you do not just look at lawyers near you as immigration advisors are just as good. The only difference is the way in which they are regulated. Lawyers in England and Wales are regulated by the SRA. Whereas advisors are regulated by the OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner). To find a highly rated immigration advisor in your area follow this link: Find an immigration adviser: Search for an adviser – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Input your postcode and see which advisors are closest to you. You can select distances from your address, such as 5 or 10 miles depending on how far you are able to travel to meet your advisor in person.
Also, as advisors do not have the status that lawyers usually have their fees are often lower as a reflection.
Follow this link to see immigration advisor near you has the capacity to offer you all levels of advice: home.oisc.gov.uk/adviser_finder/finder.aspx. In ascending order of advice, L1 means ‘Initial Advice’ which is just a quick meeting and very brief information about applications can be given. L1 advisors cannot complete applications for you. Or if you are appealing to an immigration tribunal, they cannot aid you in this undertaking. However, L2 ‘Casework’ advisors can aid you in completing applications. L3 ‘Advocacy and Representation’ advisors are even able to represent you in court. As citizenship by naturalisation applications are very common all levels of immigration advisors should be able to help you with this.
Therefore, you should not overlook top rated immigration advisors as they often provide the same services as lawyers do.
FAQs
What are the eligibility requirements for citizenship by naturalisation?
There are various eligibility requirements for citizenship by naturalisation and these include English language requirement, ‘Life in the UK’ test, good character, residency in the UK, age and holding ILR for a specified time. Refer to our discussion above for a more comprehensive discussion on this matter.
Do I need to hire an expert naturalisation lawyer for my citizenship application or am I able to complete it myself?
It is not mandatory to hire an expert naturalisation lawyer for your citizenship application and so you complete it yourself if you feel able to. However, for various reasons it is not advisable to do such. This is because persons not legally trained in immigration matters are usually not aware of the stringent eligibility requirements, but more pertinently what evidence must be submitted to prove such requirements and the specific format it must be in.
How long does an application for naturalisation take?
Home Office guidance suggests that an application for naturalisation will take around 6 months to process. Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, this has led to a backlog of applications.
What do I have to do after I receive my successful application for citizenship by naturalisation?
Once you have received your successful application for citizenship by naturalisation you must book your citizenship ceremony and attendance is mandatory. Read Henleaze Law’s blog on the citizenship ceremony here: [insert hyperlink]. After attending, you may also apply for a British passport which unlocks many of the benefits which comes with attaining British citizenship.
Can I also refer to the services of expert immigration advisors instead of immigration lawyers for advice on my naturalisation application?
Yes, you can absolutely refer to the services of expert immigration advisors instead of immigration lawyers for advice on your naturalisation application. As discussed above, the advice you will receive will be identical as they both practice in immigration law. It is simply the way in which they are regulated which is where they differ.
How do I locate an expert naturalisation lawyer near me?
When locating an expert naturalisation lawyer near you begin by using the internet. This is a key tool in showing you what immigration lawyers are closest to your location. By browsing their various websites or contacting the law firm directly you can read reviews and attain a view on whether you would like to choose them.
What is professional accreditation?
This is assigned to companies showing that they have been approved by a professional body and so the service they provide is reliable.
What are the OISC and SRA?
These are regulating bodies for immigration advisors and lawyers. They ensure that high ethical standards are maintained throughout the legal profession.
How are fees for naturalisation applications structured?
This is highly dependable on the firm. Some lawyers charge hourly rates which mean you only pay for the hours dedicated to your application. Others use fixed fees which are one set fee to be charged for a particular service. This has the benefit of knowing the cost upfront and budgeting towards this. But all expert naturalisation lawyers or immigration advisors should make a breakdown of their costs, such as stating the cost of the application itself, any bookings for required tests and advice fees on top of this. This transparency is key when it comes to lawyers being able to be called experts in their area and will also improve the trusted relationship between you and your lawyer.
Summary
In this blog readers have attained an understanding of what naturalisation is and the relevant eligibility requirements are. We have also discussed how to locate expert naturalisation lawyers near your location.
Please contact our expert team of immigration lawyers at Henleaze Law on 0117 908 4625 for legal assistance on naturalisation applications, and advice on other ways to attain British citizenship.
