UK Citizenship Requirements Guide

The UK government have proposed a number of changes to citizenship law in their May 2025 Immigration White Paper.

These include the following:

• Extending the standard qualifying time for obtaining indefinite leave to remain from 5 years to 10 years, and by extension the time to obtain citizenship by naturalisation from 6 years to 11 years
• Introducing an ‘earned settlement’ criteria, where individuals who have made a valuable contribution to the UK’s economy or society may be eligible for faster routes to settlement and citizenship
• Increased emphasis on English language ability and civic integration, with a stronger emphasis on the ‘good character’ requirement
• A review of the Life in the UK Test

It has not yet been confirmed when these changes might come into effect, or to what extent these changes will actually be put in force.

The British Nationality Act states that the following British citizen requirements are a mandatory part of any Naturalisation application:

• You must be aged 18 or over;
• You must have lived in the UK for five years (or three if married to a British citizen);
• You must have had continuous residence in the UK by holding Indefinite Leave to Remain status for at least one year;
• You must not have spent more than 450 years outside of the UK during the five-year qualifying period, or more than 90 days during the last 12-month period;
• You must demonstrate the ‘Good Character’ requirement;
• Have no criminal record;
• You must pass the Life in the UK Test and English language exam (if applicable);
• You must intend to live in the UK permanently.

Timescales, Fees, Ceremony and Aftercare

Applying for British citizenship takes around six months to be processed but this time can depend on if your case is complicated or if the Home Office requires further information.

The current naturalisation fee is £1,709 for adults (includes citizenship certificate). There are fee reductions or exemptions available in limited cases, including for children under 18 or applicants facing financial hardship (rare, requires documented evidence).

Successful applicants must attend a citizenship ceremony, usually within 3 months and receive they citizenship certificate.

Once granted British citizenship you can apply for a British passport, register to vote and obtain a National Insurance number if required.

What to Do If You’re Refused – Review & Appeal Options

If you are refused British citizenship then you should research your next steps and what you can do next.

Unlike many UK immigration decisions, citizenship refusals cannot be appealed to a tribunal but if you suspect there was an admin review then you can request an Administrative Review, where the Home Office checks if a procedural or factual mistake affected the decision.

Administrative Review requests must usually be made within 28 days of you receiving the notice of refusal.

If an Administrative Review is not an option or unsuccessful, applicants can consider judicial review to challenge the legality of the decision-making process. An application for judicial review should typically be filed within 3 months of the refusal notice.

In some cases, it may be more beneficial to submit a new application and address the errors in the new submission.

If you are considering a judicial review or reapplication then consider contacting an experienced immigration adviser for support.

In order to successfully apply for British citizenship, there are a number of supporting documents that need to be submitted to the UKVI. These are as follows:

• Your Life in the UK Test pass certificate: If you have successfully passed the test, you will have received a pass certificate that provides evidence of this. If you have already sat the test as part of your ILR application, it will not need to be re-sat.
• Proof of English language ability: you will receive a certificate if you have passed an accredited English language exam at level B1 CEFR or higher. The exam must be on the Home Office’s list of approved qualifications and must have been taken at an approved test centre.
• Proof that you were continuously and lawfully resident in the UK throughout the qualifying period.
• Proof of your previous immigration status. This includes all visas held prior to becoming settled in the UK.
• Travel details pertaining to any days spent outside the UK.
• Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card or any other proof that you hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
• Proof of your identity and permanent residence status. You are permitted to use your passport, birth certificate or any other travel documents.
• Proof that you are not a Person Subject to Immigration Control (PSIC) and therefore have no time restrictions attached to your leave.
• Proof that you have exercised your Treaty Rights during your time in the UK. Treaty Rights pertain to a person’s involvement in the economic activity of the country. Proof can take the form of bank letters, confirmation of employment and Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS).

Exemptions & Alternatives: Who Doesn’t Need to Take the Test—or Proof of English

 Some people do qualify for exemptions and do not meet to the Life in the UK test or proof English Language skills.

Life in the UK Test exemptions can be granted for those:

• Aged 65 or over at the date of application.
• Have long-term physical or mental health conditions

Reasons for English Language requirement exemptions include:

• Same exemptions as the Life in the UK Test (age 65+, serious health issues).
• Certain applicants may also qualify through alternative proofs, including:
  • Degree-level or higher qualification
  • Approved English language tests

To claim an exemption or provide alternative proof, applicants should submit:

• Life in the UK Test exemption: A medical report or doctor’s note confirming long-term health condition.
• English language exemption or alternative proof: Degree certificate or transcript showing English-medium instruction, or an official test certificate confirming required level.

Applying for British citizenship requires you to have at least two referees. Their purpose is to verify that all of the information you submit to the Home Office is both honest and correct.

Your application form must be signed by both of your referees. If it is not, your entire application will be deemed invalid.

You are able to choose the two referees that appear on your application. However, it is essential that they have known you for a minimum of three years. Additionally, they must not have been convicted of any criminal offences in the previous ten years.

It is mandatory that at least one of your referees holds a role of professional standing, for example, doctor, teacher, minister of religion or member of a professional body. They cannot be a adviser or lawyer who is representing you nor can they work for UKVI. It is not essential that the chosen referee is a British citizen.

However, it is essential for your other referee to be a British citizen and a British passport holder. They must be at least 25 years old and of professional standing.

To apply for British citizenship through the process of naturalisation, it is essential that you satisfy the English language requirement. This is achieved through passing an English language test at a minimum level of B1. The test itself can be taken at any verified test centre. During the test, you will be assessed on your proficiency in both spoken and aural English. The Home Office only accepts certain types of English language qualification- only those approved by ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) will be deemed valid. As a result, more general qualifications such as NVQs and GCSEs will not be deemed acceptable.

There are certain circumstances in which a person will be exempt from the English language requirement. For example, if you have a degree from a recognised institution that was taught in English, you will not need to take the test. You will also be exempt from the requirement if you are a national of the country where English is the predominant language. It is important to note that some test qualifications only last for two years.

Passing the Life in the UK Test is also an essential requirement for persons who are applying for British citizenship via the process of Naturalisation. The test is formed of 24 questions that are predominantly based on information that can be found in the Life in the UK handbook- this is provided by the Home Office and should be studied before taking the test.

The test places considerable emphasis on the culture, customs and history of immigration controls the UK, as well as British history. In order to pass, you need to score a minimum of 75%, which equates to answering 18 out of 24 questions correctly. It is essential that you take the test at an approved test centre. There are currently upwards of 30 approved test centres in the UK, however you will only be able to choose one from the five that are closest to where you are based.

The Life in the UK Test can be booked online. You must book the test at least three days in advance of it being sat. When you sit the test, you will be given 45 minutes to answer the 24 questions. You must bring the same form of ID that you used when booking the test. This must display both your name and postcode and must be dated within three months of the date your test is due to take place.

To become a UK citizen via the process of naturalisation, it is essential that you satisfy certain legal requirements beyond the residency requirement. A naturalisation application can only be submitted by persons who have held Indefinite Leave to Remain or have been granted ILR for at least one year.

The residency criteria for Indefinite Leave to Remain/EEA Permanent Residence/EU Settled Status vary depending on the type of visa a person holds. Under most circumstances, a holder of a valid UK visa needs to have been continuously and lawfully resident in the UK for 5 years prior. If you are applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain via the Long Residence route, the qualifying period is 10 years.

To fulfil the ‘continuous resident’ criteria for Indefinite Leave to Remain status, you must not have been absent from the UK for set time periods. These are:

• 5-year routes (standard work, long residence, EEA): Maximum 450 days outside the UK in total, with no more than 90 days in the final 12 months.
• 3-year spouse/partner route: Maximum 270 days outside the UK in total, with no more than 90 days in the final 12 months.

The same rules for absence apply when moving from an ILR status to British citizenship. Your reasons for absence are relevant here. If you leave the UK for business rather than leisure reasons, the time will not be factored into your period of absence. The same applies for situations where a person leaves the country due to exceptional circumstances.

Applicants must be physically present in the UK on the exact date marking five (or three) years before the application. Online application forms require precise entry/exit dates for all absences. Even a one-day miscalculation can render your application invalid.

To successfully apply for British citizenship, you must demonstrate the ‘Good Character’ requirement. ‘Good character’ refers to whether or not a person will be a positive and upstanding member of society and will always respect the rights and laws of the UK and other British citizens.

In order to determine whether or not you meet the requirement, your criminal history will be looked at. It is essential that you must not hold a severe or recent criminal record.

The Home Office will also look at offences committed overseas, criminal convictions and any violations related to immigration in order to determine whether you meet the requirement. Positive contributions to society will also be looked at.

In 2025, the Home Office updated its guidance to add a new clause: any application made on or after 10 February 2025 by someone who entered the UK illegally will “normally” be refused, regardless of how long ago that illegal entry occurred.

The guidance also specifies that those who have “made a dangerous journey” (e.g. crossing by small boat, concealed in vehicles) without a valid visa will normally be refused citizenship.

However, the Home Office does retain the right to approve applications in “exceptional circumstances,” and refers to international obligations such as Article 31 of the Refugee Convention

Dual Citizenship: What You Should Know Before Applying

The UK allows dual citizenship meaning you can become a British citizen without necessarily giving up your existing nationality.

However, not all countries permit dual citizenship. Some require you to renounce your previous nationality when acquiring another. Before applying for British citizenship, it is advisable to check with your country of origin to understand any legal consequences, including the loss of nationality or restrictions on travel.

Holding dual citizenship carries rights and responsibilities in both countries, including:

• Travel: You may need to use the relevant passport for entry/exit in each country.
• Taxes: Some countries require tax reporting for citizens abroad, even if residing in the UK.
• Military Service: Certain nations still mandate compulsory service or other obligations for citizens.

Step-by-Step Guide to Completing Form AN

When applying for naturalisation, you must declare all current nationalities on Form AN. Indicate whether you intend to retain your existing nationality or renounce it. Accurate disclosure avoids legal complications and ensures the Home Office can process your application without delays.

It is possible to submit the form online or by post. The online option allows for quicker submission, allows direct document upload, and provides automated checks for missing fields.

When completing the AN Form you must provide the following:

• Personal details
• Immigration history
• Proof of immigration status/ILR
• Evidence of passing the Life in the UK Test  and meeting the English language requirements
• Details of qualifying residence
• Good Character declaration
• Two referees meeting Home Office requirements

Your application could be rejected if you submit it without the correct documentation or errors including inconsistent dates or travel history.

Reach out to an immigration specialist on 0161 826 9783 for more support in completing the AN Form.