Becoming a British citizen is possible either by birth or through the process of naturalization, available to individuals aged 18 or older. Eligibility for British nationality requires demonstrating a residence in the UK under Indefinite Leave to Remain or EU Settled Status for a minimum of three years, alongside maintaining a clean legal record without any breaches of UK law, including immigration regulations.

 

Adult Naturalisation

You can apply for citizenship if you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and have had one of the following 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)

You do not need to wait 12 months to apply if you’re married to a British citizen.

You must also:

  • be over 18
  • prove you were in the UK exactly 5 years before the day the Home Office receives your application
  • prove your knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic
  • have passed the life in the UK test
  • intend to continue living in the UK
  • be of good character – read the naturalisation guidance

You must have lived in the UK for at least 5 years before the date of your application.
You also should not have broken any UK immigration laws.

 

Register for British citizenship as a child under 18

You can register to become a British citizen if one of your parents considered the UK as their home and did any of the following after you were born:

  • became a British citizen
  • got indefinite leave to remain in the UK
  • got ‘settled status’ (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme’)
  • got indefinite leave to enter the UK
  • got permanent residence status

You must have been born in the UK and be under 18 when you apply.

 

 

Business Visas
Family Visas
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