Applying for citizenship | Immigration Laws | RD Laws

When people apply for citizenship in the UK, it may be the last step in the immigration process for many persons who are interested in moving to the United Kingdom. If you become a citizen of the United Kingdom, you will be eligible for all of the privileges that come along with being a legal resident of the country. You are free to enter and exit the country at any time you choose, which comes with the prestige that comes with having such a distinguished citizenship. Enjoy the freedom that comes with having such a prestigious citizenship. Citizenship is something that is seldom taken away, and as a result, becoming a citizen of the United Kingdom will provide you and your loved ones a sense of security.

Being able to submit an application for British citizenship represents the successful culmination of a difficult and winding path for many immigrants who have made the United Kingdom their permanent home. It might be disheartening to be denied citizenship after having spent many years of one’s life working toward that goal. Because of this, it is very necessary to put together a strong application for naturalisation that will increase the likelihood of your application being approved.

You can apply for citizenship if you’ve lived in the UK for relevant period 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 must also:

• be over 18
• prove you were in the UK exactly minimum period required before the day the Home Office receives your application
• prove your knowledge of English,
• have passed the life in the UK test
• intend to continue living in the UK
• be of good character

Residency requirements

You must have lived in the UK for at least for minimal eligibility period before the date of your application. You also should not have broken any UK immigration laws.

If you have indefinite leave to enter or remain, the Home Office will not usually check if you broke any immigration laws before then.

You cannot include any time spent in the UK when you’re exempt from immigration control as a:

• diplomat
• member of a diplomat’s staff or household
• member of visiting armed forces

Time you’ve spent outside the UK

You should not have:

• spent more than certain period outside the UK during the 5 years before your application
• spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months
• broken any UK immigration laws (for example living illegally in the UK)

You may have lost your indefinite leave to remain or enter if you’ve been away from the UK for:

• more than 2 years at any time since you got it (you’ll need to apply for a Returning Resident visa)
• more than 5 years if you have settled status
• more than 4 years if you are a Swiss citizen, or the family member of a Swiss citizen, and you have settled status

This is one way to apply for British citizenship.

When to apply

You must have been physically present in the UK exactly 5 years before the Home Office receives your application.

The date the Home Office receives your application depends on how you apply. If you apply online, your application will be received on the same day. It will take longer if you apply by post.

How much it costs

It costs £1,330 to apply.

You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken – there’s no fee for this. You’ll be told how to do this after you’ve applied.