Last updated: 8 January 2026
UK Naturalisation: Apply for British Citizenship
An application for UK naturalisation is the process by which a non-UK citizen becomes a British citizen. It will grant you an unrestricted right to work, leave and enter the UK and ability to enjoy the full range of public services available to every other British citizen. Depending on your circumstances, there are different ways to obtain British citizenship through naturalisation.
📊 KEY REQUIREMENTS AT A GLANCE
- ✓ 5 years residence (or 3 if married to British citizen)
- ✓ ILR/settled status held for 12 months (waived for spouse route)
- ✓ Life in the UK test passed
- ✓ English language proficiency at B1 level
- ✓ Good character requirement met
- ✓ Maximum 90 days absence in final year
- ✓ Application fee: £1,500 (2026)
Eligibility Requirements for UK Naturalisation
Naturalising in the UK is not an entitlement and there are strict legal requirements to satisfy. The requirements differ depending on whether you are applying based on marriage/civil partnership to a British citizen or based on residency alone.
Two Routes to British Citizenship:
| Requirement | Standard Route (5 Years) | Spouse/Partner Route (3 Years) |
|---|---|---|
| Residence period | 5 years in the UK | 3 years in the UK |
| ILR/Settled status requirement | Must have held for 12 months | Must hold on application date only |
| Maximum absences (total) | 450 days | 270 days |
| Maximum absences (final 12 months) | 90 days | 90 days |
| Physical presence requirement | Must have been physically present in UK exactly 5/3 years before application date | |
| Age requirement | 18 years or over | |
| Knowledge requirements | English language B1 + Life in the UK test | |
Good Character Requirement
All naturalisation applicants must meet the good character requirement. The Home Office assesses this by reviewing:
- Criminal convictions: Imprisonment of 4+ years results in indefinite refusal. Shorter sentences have waiting periods:
- 1-4 years imprisonment: 15-year wait after sentence ends
- Up to 12 months imprisonment: 10-year wait after sentence ends
- Non-custodial offence: 3-year wait
- Immigration compliance: Previous breaches of immigration law
- Financial conduct: Bankruptcy, serious debt, or fraud
- Tax compliance: Payment of taxes owed to HMRC
- Honesty: Providing false information in previous applications
English Language Requirement (UPDATED JANUARY 2026)
⚠️ CRITICAL: January 2026 English Language Changes
As of 1 January 2026, major changes to English language testing are now in effect:
- ✗ Paper certificates NO LONGER accepted
- ✓ Only 4 approved SELT providers: IELTS SELT Consortium, Trinity College London, Pearson, and LanguageCert
- ✓ Biometric-linked verification now mandatory
- ✓ Results must be verified electronically through secure UKVI portal
- Tests taken before January 2026 may still be valid IF digitally verifiable
Exemptions from the English language test
You do not need to undertake the English language test if:
- You are older than 65 years old or
- You have a serious, perpetual physical or mental condition that would prohibit you from taking the test or
- You have a degree that was taught or researched in English. If you have a degree from a UK university, you only need your degree certificate. If you have a degree from outside the UK, you will also need a degree certificate AND an ‘Academic Qualification Level Statement’ from UK NARIC.
Furthermore, if you are currently a citizen of the following countries, you do not need to prove knowledge of English:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- Ireland (for citizenship only)
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- USA
Source – https://www.gov.uk/english-language/degrees-in-english
Life in the UK Test
You can be exempt from the Life in UK test if:
- You are under 18 years of age
- You are over 65
- If you have already undertaken the life in UK test during a settlement application
- You have a serious, perpetual physical or mental condition
For more information on this test, click here.
What does the UK naturalisation process entail?
After making sure that you meet the requirements of naturalisation, you will need to fill the UK government form AN according to your specific eligibility and submit your application along with documents required. You will be required to provide information on your criminal convictions, parents’ identities, your employment records and previous addresses.
Once the naturalisation fee is paid, the application form and documents will be sent for UKVI for further evaluation. Your application will be acknowledged within 2-4 weeks and will be decided upon within 6 months of submission.
You may be asked to attend an interview of citizenship and provide further biometric information. While your application is under consideration, it is important to ensure that you respond to any inquiries requesting for further information.
Successful applications
If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend the citizenship ceremony from the Home Office. If you are living abroad, the Citizenship Ceremony will take place at the embassy or consulate in the country you reside in.
You are expected to attend a ceremony