Naturalisation And British Citizenship

What does British Naturalisation mean?

• If you are not British by birth, using the Naturalisation legal path enables you to become a citizen. After becoming a naturalised British citizen, persons will have the same rights and privileges as any British citizen and be able to get a UK Passport. You will have unrestricted right to work and public funds also will be accessible.

• Any immigration controls that are applicable to your case will be lifted once you get your ILR status. This means you can travel in and out of the UK freely, without any visa requirements.

Who is eligible to apply for Naturalisation as a British citizen?

• Persons who have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, also known as Settlement and Permanent Residence for EEA nationals and their family members this is named Settled status- may be eligible for naturalisation.

What are the main requirements for an application for British Citizenship by naturalisation?

• Applicants who wish to apply for Naturalisation as a British Citizen must fulfil the following requirements;

1. Being over the age of 18
2. Having a good character and sound mind
3. Having sufficient knowledge of the English language
4. Having passed the Life In the UK Test.
5. Having not in breach of any immigration law in the UK
6. Intention to make the UK the main residential country
7. Having spent not more than 90 days outside of the UK in the last 12 months
8. Being settled in the UK and have been free from any immigration control for at least 12 months, if not married to a British citizen

• Anyone who wants to be eligible for naturalisation also has to meet the residency requirement by showing that;

1. They have lived in the UK for at least 5 years prior to the date of the application; and
2. They haven’t been outside the UK for more than 450 days during the five-year period

• If a person is married or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, the above-mentioned residency requirements are loosened. In this situation the applicant will have to prove that:

1. You have lived in the UK for at least three years prior to the date of application and;
2. You have not spent more than 270 days outside the UK during those three years.

• There are certain exceptions to these rules for applicants who have been absent from the UK longer than the allowed periods of time and they may still be eligible to apply.