Step-by-Step Guide: Acquiring British Citizenship in 2023 | Requirements, Process & Benefits

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In this ultimate step-by-step guide based on current Home Office guidance you will learn about the requirements and process for acquiring British citizenship (also known as naturalisation).

Eligibility requirements for British Citizenship

Prior to discussing the application process for British citizenship, you must meet all the eligibility requirements below:

• Time spent living in the UK.

For those married to British nationals this must at least 3 years and for the rest of applicants this must 5 years. A record needs to be kept of the time you spent outside the UK to show that this does not exceed the prescribed number of days.

If you are not married to a British national, you must also possess one of the following for 12 months:

1. 1. Indefinite leave to remain in the UK (ILR).
   2. ‘Settled Status’ (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme’).
   3. Indefinite leave to enter the UK (which is permission to move to the UK permanently from abroad).

• You must be over 18 years old.
• You must prove your (spoken and written) knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic.

Book a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to at least a level B1 CEFR for around £150 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-english-language-abilities-with-a-secure-english-language-test-selt. This is valid for 2 years.
You are exempt from taking such a test if you have a degree taught in English or are from a majority English speaking country, such as Australia or the USA.

• You must have passed the ‘Life in the UK test’.

This costs £50 and can be booked using this link with one of the five closest test centres to your home address: Life in the UK

Test: Book the Life in the UK Test – GOV.UK.
Use the official ‘Life in the UK Test Handbook’ or purchase the Official Life in the UK Test App by TSO to study.
It is a 45-minute test with 24 questions and to pass you need 75% (18 questions correct).
On the date of your test bring two forms of ID, one which you used to book the test and a document verifying your home address.

• You must be of good character.

This includes having no criminal record or unpaid taxes.
But also allows you to include positive contributions through evidence of charity work or your occupation itself.

• Provide details of 2 referees.

Referees are there to prove your identity and can be of any nationality.
Both should know you personally for more than 3 years.
They must NOT be your relative; solicitor or agent; Home Office employee.
One must be of ‘professional standing’, follow this link to browse the occupations which come under this category: https://www.gov.im/media/624353/listofreferees.pdf.

Necessary documents

As evidence of your identity, you will need to provide one of the following:

1. Passport
2. Birth certificate
3. Driving license
4. BRP card
5. Home Office travel document or entitlement card or ARC letter

You must also provide the following:

1. Proof that you have passed the ‘Life in UK Test’.
2. English language certificate or any degree information.
3. Details of any travel outside the UK including the country, reason for trip and entry/exit dates:

For those married to a British national you must include details of travel to prove that you have not spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months before the date of application AND no more than 270 days in the last 3 years.
For the rest of applicants this includes details of travel in the last 5 years to prove that you have not spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months AND no more than 450 days in the last 5 years.
Proof that you have never breached any immigration laws through past visas.

1. National insurance number.
2. Recent payslip which includes your tax reference.
3. UK work history for the past 10 years.
4. Previous applications.
5. Referees’ full names, dates of birth, job title, addresses for the past 3 years, contact number, email address and passport number.

How to apply

1. Make sure you meet all of the eligibility requirements, have in your possession all of the necessary documents listed above and read the application guidance provided by Home Office: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-forms-guide.
2. Apply online for a quicker process: https://visasimmigration.service.gov.uk/product/nationality-an. Upload any necessary documents by scanning them.  Or, if you live in the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or a British Overseas Territory, or if you live elsewhere and want to apply by post using a Form AN. Send any necessary documents with your application form.
3. Following your application an email will be sent to you where you must book an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo).

Application fees

It will cost £1,330 to apply which includes your biometric fee and cost of the citizenship ceremony discussed below.

After application

A decision on your application will usually be made within 6 months.
If your application is successful, you must attend a citizenship ceremony (https://www.gov.uk/citizenship-ceremonies) where you will make an oath of allegiance and receive your naturalisation certificate.

Return any Biometric residence permit you hold within 5 working days of getting your certificate.

Importantly, to travel outside the UK after getting British citizenship, you’ll need to apply for a British passport or a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode.

Benefits

1. The right to live in the UK permanently.
   As your status will be ‘permanently settled’ you are free of any restrictions, such as time spent abroad and there is also no need to apply for any more visas to stay in the UK.
2. Access to free medical care through the NHS.
   The National Health Service (NHS) is the UK’s publicly funded healthcare system which means citizens can access free medical care.
3. Right to work and study.
   There are no restrictions on gaining permission to work or study through applying for any more UK visas. You may freely do both as a British citizen.
4. Right to vote.
   The ability to partake in democratic UK elections (whether that be local, national or referendums) is open to all British citizens. Additionally, you may put yourself forward to be a candidate in an election.
5. British passport.
   Gaining a British passport allows citizens to travel to around 190 countries without a visa.
6. Right to claim state benefits.
   Citizens can freely claim state benefits which include anything from Child Benefit and a Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) to a UK State Pension. For more information on other state benefits that you can claim as a British citizen follow this link: https://www.gov.uk/income-tax/taxfree-and-taxable-state-benefits.

FAQ

Summary

To access the great benefits of gaining British citizenship follow the eligibility requirements strictly and make sure you pass the necessary tests and living requirements. Additionally, all necessary documents need to be provided for the strongest possible application.

Please contact our expert team of immigration lawyers at Henleaze Law on 0117 908 4625 for legal assistance. We will review your application for British citizenship and discuss the likelihood of your success.