There are several ways to obtain citizenship in the UK. Some persons can get this status by naturalization, and others by descent, or marrying a British citizen. In the following lines, you can find out some information about routes to British citizenship, if you are interested in this status, mentioning that our UK immigration lawyers can guide you step by step.
| 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
British citizenship for persons born in the UK
Not all people born in the UK can receive the citizenship of this country. There are specific criteria for a citizen to qualify for this status. Here are some of them:
- People born before or after January 1st, 1983, and who stayed in the UK until they turned 10 can qualify for citizenship.
- People born before or after January 1st, 1983, and whose parents have meanwhile obtained British citizenship or permission to stay in the UK permanently can qualify for citizenship.
- People born before or after January 1st, 1982, and who have one of their parents with diplomatic status in a non-UK country automatically become British citizens.
- Minors can become British citizens if one of the parents has indefinite leave to remain status or has become a British citizen in the meantime.
Obtaining citizenship in the UK is a relatively simple process if the basic conditions are met. Even so, we recommend specialized help from our immigration solicitors in the UK. They can help interested persons to apply for residency in the UK and eventually for British citizenship. Below is an infographic with details about citizenship in the UK:
Citizenship in the UK by marriage
The basic condition imposed for people who want to receive British citizenship through marriage is to have already lived in the UK for at least 3 years. Moreover, applications must have either the “settled status” under the EU Settlement Scheme or indefinite leave to remain status in order to apply for citizenship in the UK.
Applying for citizenship in the UK if you have indefinite leave to remain status
Citizens who benefit from indefinite to remain status in the UK can apply for British citizenship. In this case, the following conditions must be met:
- The minimum age for applying for citizenship in the UK through this route is 18.
- Living requirements for at least 5 years in the UK and also having the “settled status” are required.
- Proof of knowledge of the English language and passing the “Life in the UK” test are also needed.
- Obtaining citizenship in the UK in this way is actually citizenship by naturalization. One of our immigration lawyers in the UK can guide you in this endeavor.
If you are planning to apply for residency in the UK, get in touch with lawyers. They can offer comprehensive details in this matter and help you obtain a residence permit in UK. The processing period for permanent citizenship in the UK is presently about 6 to 7 months.
Some conditions for getting permanent citizenship in the UK for certain categories of citizens
UK citizenship requirements may also involve other categories of citizens. For example:
- Those who have “settled status” under the EU Settlement Scheme can apply for permanent citizenship in the UK if they have lived in this country for at least 12 months. Our London immigration lawyers can tell you more about naturalization in the UK and this status.
- Citizens who are not part of the EU Settlement Scheme and are interested in permanent citizenship in the UK must comply with certain conditions. First of all, they must apply for the EU Settlement Scheme, obtain this status, and only then continue with the formalities for obtaining UK citizenship for EU citizens. And in this case, you benefit from legal support from us, including for the UK British passport application.
- Commonwealth citizens can be eligible for citizenship under the Windrush Scheme if one of their parents arrived in the UK before 193 or if the applicants for British citizenship lived in the UK but were not out of this country for more than two years.
- All commonwealth citizens can apply for UK citizenship if they were born in the UK and if one of their parents arrived in this country before 1973.
- However, there are also special cases where Commonwealth citizens have the “right of abode” in the UK, without restrictions in the work field.
We invite you to discuss with us more about permanent citizenship in the UK and to discover all the conditions imposed. We can also provide you with information about dual citizenship in the UK. Moreover, you may explore this video presentation with details on this topic:
Proving English knowledge to get permanent citizenship in the UK
One of the main conditions for obtaining British citizenship is the legal knowledge of the English language. Thus, applications must prove that they have English qualifications at B1, B2, C1, or C2 level or a degree or research in English. However, there are also special situations in which applications for British citizenship are not required to share knowledge of the English language, but we advise you to discuss it with our specialists. You can thus make sure that the application is not refused due to the lack of supporting documents, forms, or incorrect procedures.
We invite you to find out more about naturalization in the UK and about UK citizenship requirements by contacting our immigration lawyers.
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/she must demonstrate the things he/she knows about life in this country. The examination takes 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 comes with a series of advantages, among which is the UK passport which is one of the most powerful in the world.
Immigration statistics in the UK
Here are some interesting facts about immigration to the UK:
- Around 1.2 million people migrated to the UK in 2023, while approximately 532,000 left this country.
- 9% of the total UK population is composed of immigrants.
- It is estimated that there are a total of 6 million immigrants in the UK.
- Over 3.4 million immigrants in the UK come from European countries.
In addition to legal services for obtaining citizenship, our immigration lawyers in the UK can also help you in other endeavors. For example, you can apply for an innovator founder visa in the UK and relocate in a fast and reliable manner. Do not hesitate to contact us if you want to know more about immigration to the UK and the ways British citizenship can be obtained.
