What is naturalisation as a British citizen?
Naturalisation is how an adult who has settled in the UK becomes a British citizen. Unlike most immigration applications it is decided under the British Nationality Act 1981, and the Home Secretary has a discretion: meeting the requirements makes a grant likely, not automatic. A successful applicant attends a citizenship ceremony, receives a certificate, and can apply for a British passport. See our guides to British passports and to citizenship through marriage.
Who can apply for British citizenship by naturalisation?
| Requirement | Standard route | Married to or civil partner of a British citizen |
|---|---|---|
| Residence in the UK | 5 years | 3 years |
| Settled status | Indefinite leave to remain or settled status, held for 12 months | Indefinite leave to remain or settled status, held on the date of application: no 12-month wait |
| Absences | No more than 450 days in the 5 years, and no more than 90 in the last 12 months | No more than 270 days in the 3 years, and no more than 90 in the last 12 months |
| Age | 18 or over | 18 or over |
| English and knowledge of life in the UK | Level B1 English, and the Life in the UK test | Level B1 English, and the Life in the UK test |
| Good character | Required | Required |
You must also intend to live in the UK, or to continue in Crown service or work for an international organisation of which the UK is a member, after you are naturalised.
Residence and absences
Absences are counted in days. On the standard route you must not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK in the five years, or more than 90 days in the final twelve months. You must also have been physically in the UK on the day five years before the Home Office receives your application, which catches out people who apply on the wrong date. The Home Office can exercise discretion for excess absences where there are good reasons, such as illness or work abroad for a UK employer, but it should not be relied on. Our free absence calculator adds up your days away.
Settled status and the 12-month rule
You must hold indefinite leave to remain, or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, and have held it for at least twelve months, unless you are married to or the civil partner of a British citizen, in which case you need only be settled on the date you apply. Pre-settled status is not enough. See indefinite leave to remain.
The good character requirement
Good character is the requirement with the least certainty. The Home Office looks at criminal convictions and cautions, immigration history including any period without permission, unpaid tax and debts to public bodies, and honesty in past applications. An applicant who was in breach of immigration laws in the last ten years will normally be refused, subject to exceptions. Something that seems minor to you may not seem so to a caseworker. It is better explained in the application than discovered afterwards. See good character and British citizenship.
English language and the Life in the UK test
You must show knowledge of English at level B1 on the CEFR scale in speaking and listening, with an approved test, a degree taught in English, or an exemption: for people aged 65 or over, those with a long-term physical or mental condition, and nationals of certain majority English-speaking countries. You must also pass the Life in the UK test, which has 24 questions, lasts 45 minutes, costs £50 and has a pass mark of 75 per cent.
British citizenship fees in 2026
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Naturalisation application | £1,709 |
| Citizenship ceremony | £130 |
| Total if successful | £1,839 |
| Life in the UK test | £50 |
| Reconsideration of a refusal (Form NR) | £513 |
The application fee is not refunded if you are refused, but the ceremony fee is. See our fees page.
How to apply and how long it takes
You apply online on GOV.UK, give your biometrics at an appointment, and upload or post your documents. A decision usually takes up to six months, though some applications take longer. If you succeed, you are invited to a citizenship ceremony where you take an oath and pledge, and are given your certificate. Keep the certificate safely: replacing it costs money and takes time.
Your two referees
A naturalisation application must be endorsed by two referees, each of whom has known you for at least three years. One must be a professional person (of any nationality); the other must hold a British citizen passport and be either a professional person or over 25. Neither can be related to you or to each other, and neither can be the solicitor or adviser acting for you. See naturalisation referees: who can act for the full rules, and who counts as a professional person.
If your application is refused
There is no appeal against a refusal of naturalisation. You can ask the Home Office to reconsider on Form NR, or you can apply again once you have dealt with the reason. See reconsideration requests. It is better to be sure of the application before it is made, so speak to us first if you have travelled a great deal, have any conviction, caution or immigration breach, or are unsure whether your language certificate is acceptable.
Dual nationality and your children
The UK allows dual nationality. Whether your other country does is a matter for its own law, so check before you apply. Children born in the UK after you naturalise are usually British from birth. Children born earlier, or abroad, may be able to register as British citizens.
How we help
We check you meet each requirement, rebuild your travel history, deal with any good character issue openly, and prepare the application. A consultation costs from £99.
