British Citizenship by Naturalisation
Applying for British citizenship by Naturalisation is the last step toward permanent settlement in the UK. British citizenship grants you full permission to live, work, and travel as a UK citizen. Once your application for Naturalisation as a British citizen is successful then you can apply for a UK passport.
To apply for British citizenship by naturalisation you must usually have lived in the UK for 12 months after the grant of Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
We are experts in dealing with naturalisation applications and if instructed will carry out all the work on the application until the decision is received from the Home Office UKVI.
If you need legal advice or help with a UK visa application or any other immigration matter, get in touch with our highly experienced immigration solicitors in London on 0203 432 6006 or fill in our online enquiry form.
British citizenship requirements
You'll usually be able to apply for citizenship if you're over 18 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 will not need to wait 12 months to apply if you're married to a British citizen.
You must also:
- 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
You must meet all other requirements depending on your circumstances.
Good Character requirement
An applicant for naturalisation as a British citizen must satisfy the good character requirement to succeed in his application.
To be of good character you should have shown respect for the rights and freedoms of the UK, observe its laws and fulfilled your duties and obligations as a resident of the UK. Checks will be carried out to ensure that the information you give is correct.
If you are not honest about the information you provide, and you are registered on the basis of incorrect or fraudulent information you will be liable to have British citizenship taken away (deprivation) and you may be prosecuted. It is a criminal offence to make a false declaration knowing that it is untrue.
English Language requirement
If you are applying for Naturalisation as a British citizen and you're 18 or over then you might need to prove your knowledge of the English language. You can prove your knowledge of the English language by having either an English qualification at the B1 level or a degree taught in English.
You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you are aged 65 or over or unable to, because of a long-term physical or mental condition.
Life in the UK test
The Life in the UK test is a compulsory requirement for British citizenship applications. The main object of the Life in the UK test is to prove that the applicant has adequate knowledge of British life such as British values, history, traditions, and everyday life.
Why choose Western Solicitors
- Expertise: Our solicitors are legal experts in the field of immigration law and have years of experience in handling immigration cases.
- In-depth knowledge: Our immigration solicitors keep up to date with the latest changes and developments in immigration law. This means they can provide you with the most up-to-date and accurate advice on your specific immigration issue.
- Support: We will provide you with the necessary support and guidance throughout the immigration process. We will advise you on any legal requirements or potential obstacles that may arise.
- One-stop service: We will advise you about eligibility criteria, requirements, and required supporting documents. We will prepare your whole application and submit it to the Home Office.
- Time-saving: Applying for any type of visa or citizenship can be a complex and time-consuming process. By using our service, you can rest assured that your application will be prepared and submitted correctly, saving you time and stress.
- Better chance of success: We can help you to present your case effectively which can maximize your chances of success.