How the spouse route to British citizenship differs
A person married to, or the civil partner of, a British citizen can apply for naturalisation after a shorter period of residence than other applicants. They need to have lived in the UK for three years, and, unlike most applicants, do not have to wait twelve months after being granted indefinite leave to remain. They must still hold indefinite leave or settled status, show knowledge of English, pass the Life in the UK test, and meet the good character requirement.
In practice, for someone who came to the UK on a spouse visa, the route opens at the moment they are granted indefinite leave to remain, usually after five years on the partner route. By then the three years of residence have long been met, so the application can follow at once. The shorter period matters more to those who have settled status or indefinite leave on another basis and later marry a British citizen.
Who can use the spouse route
- You are married to, or the civil partner of, a person who is a British citizen on the date of your application. A spouse who holds only indefinite leave does not qualify for this route.
- You hold indefinite leave to remain or settled status. Pre-settled status alone is not enough.
- You are 18 or over and intend to live in the UK.
- You can show you have lived in the UK for the required period without breaking the absence limits.
Standard route compared with the spouse route
| Standard route | Spouse route | |
|---|---|---|
| Residence | 5 years | 3 years |
| Wait after settlement | 12 months | None |
| Days outside the UK | 450 in 5 years; 90 in the last 12 months | 270 in 3 years; 90 in the last 12 months |
| Fee | £1,709 plus £130 ceremony | £1,709 plus £130 ceremony |
The residence and absence rules
The Home Office counts days outside the UK across the three years before the application. For this route the limit is 270 days in total, and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months. You must also have been physically in the UK on the date three years before the application. Absences over the limits can be forgiven at the Home Office’s discretion if there are good reasons, and we put that case forward where it is warranted.
Count carefully. Short trips add up, and the Home Office counts each full day abroad. Passport stamps, travel records and your own diary are what we use to reconstruct the dates. Our absence calculator does the sum for you.
Documents you will need
- Your passport and any previous passports covering the period.
- Evidence of your indefinite leave to remain or settled status.
- Your partner’s British passport or naturalisation certificate, and your marriage or civil partnership certificate.
- Your English language certificate or evidence of an exemption.
- Your Life in the UK test pass reference.
- Proof of address for the period, and your travel history.
The requirements for supporting documents change from time to time, so we check the current list on the date you apply.
The tests
You must show knowledge of English at the required level and pass the Life in the UK test. The test costs £50, has 24 questions and lasts 45 minutes. It must be booked online at least three days ahead. People aged 65 or over, and those with a long-term physical or mental condition, may be exempt, and an English qualification or a degree taught in English can satisfy the language requirement. Check that the evidence you send is of a kind the Home Office accepts: an unsuitable certificate is a common reason for refusal.
Cost and timing
The application costs £1,709, and a successful applicant pays a further £130 for the citizenship ceremony, so £1,839 in total. A decision usually takes up to six months, and the application is made online.
After the decision
If approved, you attend a ceremony, take the oath and receive your naturalisation certificate. You can then apply for a British passport. Keep the certificate safely, because replacing it costs money and takes time.
If you are refused
There is no appeal against a refusal of naturalisation, and the application fee is not refunded (the ceremony fee is). You can ask the Home Office to reconsider on Form NR, which costs £513, refunded if the decision is overturned, or you can apply again once you have dealt with the reason. See reconsideration requests. It is far 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.
How we help
We check each requirement, rebuild your travel history, and prepare the application. A consultation costs from £99.
