Shabana Bukhari 
In this blog readers will discover our reliable naturalization services in Reading where our team at Henleaze Law will guide you through the entire British citizenship application process.
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.
Why would I need a naturalisation lawyer?
There are many reasons that one would need a 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. A 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.
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, 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.
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.
Do I need to hire a naturalisation lawyer for my citizenship application or am I able to complete it myself?
It is not mandatory to hire a 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?
The Home Office guidance suggests that an application for naturalisation will take around 6 months to process.
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. 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 immigration advisors instead of immigration lawyers for advice on my naturalisation application?
Yes, you can absolutely refer to the services of 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 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 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 discovered our reliable naturalization services in Reading where our team at Henleaze Law will guide you through the entire British citizenship application process.
Please contact our expert team at Henleaze Law which have a wealth of experience on naturalisation services on 0117 908 4625 or via email.
