There are firm procedures governing who is qualified for British citizenship. Usually, candidates are suitable to apply for British citizenship following a time of indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Except they are already British citizens by ancestry, all individuals need to register or naturalize in order to earn British citizenship. Also, to apply as the spouse of a British citizen, you must have spent the previous three years in the UK.
Our immigration solicitors in London can properly guide and legally assist you if you want to obtain citizenship in the UK. Moreover, details about UK residence card can be offered.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Nationalities accepted (Yes/No) | All |
|
Law regarding the UK citizenship |
British Nationality Act |
|
Dual nationality |
Permitted |
| Requirements to obtain UK citizenship |
– over 18 years of age – 5 years of residence with 450 days allowed outside UK; – meet the B1 CEFR level English language requirement; – knowledge of British customs etc. |
| Application processing time |
6 months |
| Methods for obtaining citizenship in UK |
– living for continuous 5 years in UK, – marrying a British citizen and living in the UK for 3 years |
| Reasons to obtain UK citizenship |
– no immigration control; – right to live permanently in UK; – right to vote; – security and safety |
| Is knowledge of language necessary to obtain citizenship in UK? (Yes/No) |
Yes |
| Citizenship fee in UK |
£1,330 |
| Personal income tax rate |
– 0% for annual income up to £12,570, – 20% for income between £12,571 and £50,270; – 40%£ for income between 50,271 and £150,000 is 40%; – 45% for income over £150,000 is 45%. |
| Is permanent residence certificate required? (Yes/No) |
Yes |
| Fee for nationality registration as a UK citizen |
£1,206 |
| Is visa-free travel allowed to UK citizens? |
Yes, UK citizens can travel to 142 countries. |
| The office that deals with UK citizenship |
Local UK consulate and others |
| Can UK citizenship be cancelled? | Yes, it can be declared null on varying grounds. |
Table of Contents
UK citizenship conditions in 2024
Candidates who are married to a UK citizen must have been living in the country for 3 years and have ILR on the date of application. Also, it is important for applicants not to be absent from the UK for more than 270 days in these 3 years, or more than 90 days in 12 months before the citizenship application. In order to obtain citizenship, the applicant must pass the “Life in the UK test” and have the intention to live in the country. Our UK immigration lawyer can offer more details about this aspect. Candidates who are not married to a British citizen must live in the UK for five years. In the last year, the applicant must have a permanent resident with ILR. Whereas, individuals married to British citizens are also required to have an indefinite leave to remain before they apply for citizenship. It is mandatory to pass the “Life in the UK test”, to have enough knowledge of English, Welsh, or Gaelic, and not to be absent for more than 90 days in the 12 months before the citizenship application (this can be observed by our London immigration lawyer).
On the other hand, persons who were born between 1961 and 1983 to a British mother may be qualified to register right away as a British citizen. The processing period for UK citizenship applications is presently about 6 to 7 months. For more details in this matter and about how to obtain a residence permit in UK, please talk to our UK immigration lawyer. A residency permit is required if you want to stay in the UK for more than six months at a time. An immigration license known as a resident permit enables foreigners to enter the nation to live, work, and settle there. If you are planning to apply for residency in UK, get in touch with lawyers. They can practically assist you in the whole application process.
Until the immigration authorities grant citizenship to foreigners living with a permanent residence permit, candidates will receive permission to stay in the UK. This kind of permission normally lasts until the citizenship ceremony takes place in the UK.
It is important to note that being born in the UK doesn’t grant automatic British citizenship. This is normally applicable for cases of non-British parents to a child born in the UK. However, some checks must be done before any citizenship application.
UK citizenship test
The UK citizenship test, also known as the Life in the UK test, is a computer-based test that assesses the applicant’s knowledge of British culture, history, and society. It is a requirement for those who are seeking to become British citizens or apply for settlement in the UK.
If an individual applies for UK citizenship or naturalization, he must demonstrate the things he knows about life in the UK, and for this, he has to complete and pass the test (our London immigration lawyer can offer complete details). The examination lasts for about 45 minutes, has a series of 24 questions, and is computer-based. The test is created on “Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship”. As a recommendation for all applicants, it is significant for them to read the second edition of “Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship”, as this is the only official guidebook for the “Life in the UK test”. Obtaining British citizenship also allows you to take advantage of the free public school system.
If you are interested, please feel free to contact our immigration solicitors in London, if you need extra information or legal assistance about how to obtain citizenship in the UK. Our specialists can also help you obtain a UK residence card before citizenship. Besides legal help in these matters, if you need guidance about immigration to the UK, you can consult with our lawyers. Free education is available to immigrants who are authorized to live in the UK. They have the right to enroll their kids in public schools at no cost at all. For expats with kids, this is the most soothing thing because it reduces their financial burden. If you want to take this benefit, you can get in touch with our lawyers.
The British passport is issued after citizenship is obtained in the UK by foreigners living here with a permanent residence. In some cases, the British passport, one of the most powerful in the world can be cancelled in situations where a court order is issued in this sense.
Our lawyers can provide you with detailed advice as well as information on possible paths to obtaining citizenship in UK.
