Naturalisation in United Kingdom: ways to obtain British citizenship

For centuries, scientists, writers, philosophers, athletes and wealthy entrepreneurs from all over the world have chosen the shores of Foggy Albion as their second home. Interest in England remains high, despite its peculiar climate, high cost of living and, let’s be honest, very strict British immigration laws. There are several reasons for the popularity of British citizenship:

1. Comfort and safety of living in the United Kingdom, combined with a high level of medical care and the state’s concern for ordinary citizens. In such an environment, it is easier to focus on the really important tasks related to business, creativity, improving the well-being of the family or personal development.
2. A favourable environment for entrepreneurs and investors. The British economy is resilient to crises, the markets are vast, the judicial system is independent of the authorities, corporate legislation is favourable, and the state supports small and medium-sized businesses both directly and through tax incentives.
3. Freedom of movement. As of December 2025, with a British passport, you can cross the borders of 186 countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, without a visa or under a simplified entry permit scheme!
4. Tax breaks. British citizens of foreign origin can optimise their tax payments by taking advantage of certain opportunities offered by the tax laws of their second home.
5. The opportunity to secure a bright future for your children. Universities and colleges in the United Kingdom are renowned worldwide for providing their students with a high-quality, modern education that enables them to pursue a successful career or start a successful business.

How to obtain British citizenship?

There are currently only two ways to become a British citizen:

• Through registration of citizenship;
• Through naturalisation.

We will immediately dismiss registration, as this method is only applicable to children under the age of 18 who, for some objective reason, did not automatically become citizens of the Kingdom at birth and therefore required a separate procedure. For example, at the time of the child’s birth, the parents were not yet eligible for British passports, but a few years later they applied for naturalisation, and their minor child became a British citizen along with them.

What is naturalisation in England?

Outside the scope of our discussion, we will leave out one more very rare way of naturalisation, intended for those who have lived in England illegally for 20 years (in complete secrecy, without official notices of deportation and forced expulsion from the country), then surrendered to the authorities, obtained a residence permit and spent another 10 years in legal status. We assume that such individuals exist even now, but in the era of universal digitalisation and electronic payments, they are becoming extremely rare.

Immigration authorities’ requirements for applicants for British citizenship

1. The applicant must be over 18 years of age.
2. The applicant must be of sound mind. In other words, immigrants undergo naturalisation in England in a sound mind and with a clear memory.
3. The applicant must demonstrate their intention to continue living in the country and/or have sufficient ties to the United Kingdom.
4. Applicants must have a good knowledge of English at a level not lower than B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and must pass the Life in the UK test.
5. An impeccable reputation. This includes:
   • the applicant has no criminal offences or criminal proceedings against them, either in the UK or abroad;
   • no violations of immigration law, such as illegal residence in the UK.
6. Maximum period of absence from the UK. For those who are not married to a British citizen, this is 450 days in the 5 years prior to applying for naturalisation. Moreover, in the 12 months prior to applying, you must not leave the country for more than 90 days! For those who are married to a British citizen, the last three years are assessed, with a maximum absence of 270 days and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months.
7. Recommendation letters from two people who have known the applicant well for the last three years. There is a whole list of requirements for your referees. In particular, your relative, your solicitor or a person with an unexpunged criminal record for the last 10 years cannot act in this role.
8. You must ensure that you were physically present in the UK five years prior to the date of your application (three years for those married to UK citizens ).

Naturalisation in the UK for work visa holders, entrepreneurs and investors

For most of the categories listed, the opportunity to obtain a British passport will not arise until at least 6 years after moving to the United Kingdom.

A long-term visa will be required for such a long stay in the country. Imperial & Legal’s experienced immigration lawyers can help you obtain a residence permit in England based on the following categories:

1. Skilled Worker category – intended for work visas for specialists invited to England, as well as visas for the transfer of employees and interns within an international company with a British office. There are specialised work categories for professional athletes, preachers and clergy.
2. The Innovator visa is intended for both start-up entrepreneurs with a unique idea and experienced entrepreneurs who wish to expand their commercial activities to the UK. To obtain a residence permit under this immigration category, a foreign entrepreneur must secure the support of an organisation authorised by the authorities.
3. Global Talent Visa – The standard procedure assumes that after 3 or 5 years of productive work, having passed simple tests on knowledge of the language and cultural traditions of their second homeland, work visa holders will be able to apply for permanent residence. After another year, they can apply for naturalisation in the UK.

Holders of certain subcategories of Global Talent visas and Innovator visas can also obtain permanent residence in the United Kingdom after 3 years, provided they achieve certain business targets and meet other necessary requirements.

Naturalisation in England for family visa holders

Foreign spouses (including same-sex partners) of permanent residents and subjects of the United Kingdom who are living in the country on a family visa have a unique opportunity to apply for British citizenship through naturalisation after five years, immediately after obtaining permanent residence. Unlike other immigration categories, they do not need to wait an additional 12 months as permanent residents.

However, an important requirement for obtaining British citizenship is the number of days spent outside the country – this must not exceed 270 days in the 3 years prior to the application (and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months) before applying for naturalisation in England.

Just like other immigration categories, spouses and partners have to take a test on their knowledge of life in the United Kingdom and prove their English language skills with documents or an exam.

What documents are required for naturalisation in the United Kingdom?

Before applying for British citizenship, make sure you have all the necessary documents and evidence that must be provided by applicants for naturalisation. The standard list of documents usually includes:

1.  Proof of immigration status
   From 1 January 2025, all biometric cards in the UK have been abolished. You may still have the physical card, but it is not mandatory. You must ensure that you have a UKVI online account, which shows your documents and your immigration status in the UK.
2. Passport or other document proving the identity of the applicant for UK citizenship.
   Instead of a passport, you can provide:
   • an identity card issued in your country;
   • a birth certificate;
   • a driving licence with a photograph;
   • one of the documents provided to foreign refugees by the British Home Office: Home Office travel document, Home Office entitlement card or Home Office ARC letter;
   • credit card or bank deposit account statements, or a certificate from your housing association – provided that all these documents were obtained no later than 6 months before applying for naturalisation.
3. Documents confirming that you have been in the UK long enough to apply for citizenship.
   The applicant must provide documentary evidence that they have been resident in the United Kingdom for 5 years (3 years for spouses and civil partners of British citizens) prior to submitting their application. What records and documents can serve as proof of your presence in the country?
   • Passports or travel documents with stamps showing arrival in the UK, as well as entry and exit from other countries.
   • records from the British Home Office;
   • supporting letters from your employer, tax office or British social security service.
     As an exception, a letter from a British doctor who has carried out regular medical examinations of the applicant may be accepted as proof of sufficient length of stay in England.
4. Language test certificate. Your level of English must correspond to categories B1, B2, C1 or C2, depending on your chosen immigration route.
   The standard procedure requires that applicants for citizenship take the SELT, a secure English language test, at one of the certified examination centres in the UK. The British immigration authorities also recognise the results of certain tests for non-English speakers taken by students at certain educational institutions in the country.
   Citizens of more than 19 jurisdictions where English is the official language are exempt from taking the test:
   1. Australia
   2. Antigua and Barbuda
   3. The Bahamas
   4. Barbados
   5. Belize
   6. British Overseas Territories
   7. Dominica
   8. Guyana
   9. Grenada
   10. Ireland – only if applying for citizenship
   11. Canada
   12. Malta
   13. New Zealand
   14. Saint Kitts and Nevis
   15. Saint Lucia
   16. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
   17. Trinidad and Tobago
   18. United States
   19. Jamaica
       Applicants over the age of 65 are exempt from taking the language test, as are those who are unable to take the test due to a long-term physical or mental illness.
       An alternative to the SELT certificate is a protected academic or scientific degree obtained from a UK university.
5. Proof of successful completion of the test on knowledge of life in the United Kingdom.
   The UK Life in the UK test is mandatory for anyone planning to go through the naturalisation process, including participants in the EU Settlement Scheme. As with the English language test, minors, applicants over 65 and those who are unable to take the test due to their health are exempt. You will also not need to take the test if you have already passed it when you obtained your permanent residence card.
   The Life In the UK test is designed to assess the degree of integration of future citizens into English society. It consists of 24 questions covering various aspects of life in modern Britain. There are at least 30 centres in Britain where you can take this exam. The test is considered passed if the applicant answers at least 18 questions correctly. If you fail this exam, you will have the opportunity to retake it. However, please note that the Life In the UK test is not free, and each attempt will cost you £50.

Depending on the circumstances, additional documents may be required for naturalisation in the United Kingdom. Our specialists will be able to draw up an accurate list for your situation during the initial consultation.

How to apply for naturalisation in the UK?

The process of obtaining British citizenship with the help of Imperial & Legal immigration solicitors will take you just a few steps:

1. Eligibility check
   During the initial consultation, our staff will determine whether the client has sufficient grounds to apply for UK citizenship. The list of eight requirements for applicants was provided in our previous article. If, for any reason, you are not yet able to apply for naturalisation, Imperial & Legal consultants will explain in detail what you need to do to obtain citizenship in England.

2. Collection and preparation of documents
   The standard package of documents to be submitted with the application includes at least 5 items. This most labour-intensive stage of naturalisation is handled by our company’s staff.

3. Submitting the application and paying the registration fee
   When the preparatory stage is complete, an Imperial & Legal solicitor fills out an online application form on the British government website, uploads the documents and pays the registration fee.
   If the applicant for British citizenship lives in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or any of the UK’s overseas territories, the application is completed on a paper form (form AN) and then sent by post.

4. Providing biometric information
   After submitting an application for naturalisation, the applicant receives an official invitation to visit one of the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service (UKVCAS) centres, where they will need to provide biometric data – have a digital photograph taken and provide fingerprints.
   It is possible that UK immigration authorities will use the biometric data you provided when you obtained your permanent residence permit. However, if has contacted you regarding the submission of biometric data, you must visit the UKVCAS centre no later than 45 days after submitting your application.
   All applicants for British citizenship, including minors, must provide biometric data. Children under the age of 16 undergo biometric registration in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. Children under the age of 5 must be photographed, but they do not provide fingerprints.

5. Citizenship ceremony
   The assistance provided by Imperial & Legal staff minimises the likelihood of rejection. The waiting time for a decision on an application is 6 months. Once the application for naturalisation has been approved, it will be necessary to attend a citizenship ceremony within 90 days.
   The invitation email from the Home Office will indicate the local authority in the UK that should be contacted to arrange the ceremony. If the applicant is outside the country, the ceremony can be held at a British embassy, consulate, or the residence of a British governor or lieutenant governor (the latter two locations are relevant for overseas territories or Caribbean jurisdictions that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations).
   At the ceremony itself, you will be asked to confirm your desire to become a subject and to swear allegiance to the monarch and the United Kingdom. You will then be given a certificate of British citizenship.

It is necessary to distinguish between the length of residence in the UK required to obtain ILR, without which it is not possible to apply for citizenship, and the length of residence that is assessed for the purposes of obtaining citizenship. For example, those who are married to a UK citizen must live in the country for five years to obtain permanent residence, but when applying for citizenship (without having to wait 12 months of residence), only the last three years of residence in the country will be assessed.

Vasily Kluev

Client Service Director, Immigration Adviser (IAA)

What are the costs associated with the naturalisation process in the United Kingdom?

The cost of naturalisation in the United Kingdom includes a registration fee and additional costs associated with legal support and testing:

• Applying for naturalisation in the UK costs £1,735. This amount includes the cost of the oath ceremony, which is £130.
• The cost of taking the SELT varies depending on the certified examination centre chosen by the applicant. As a rule, it is at least £150.
• Taking the test on knowledge of life in the United Kingdom costs £50.

Legal services and additional costs during the preparation stage vary depending on the specific circumstances. One of the advantages of working with Imperial & Legal is that our staff provide clients with an approximate estimate of the costs of obtaining British citizenship during the initial consultation.

How long does the naturalisation process take in the UK?

It usually takes more than 5 years for an immigrant to obtain UK citizenship. The naturalisation application process itself usually takes between 3 and 6 months. Imperial & Legal solicitors have compiled a table showing the timeline for all processes involved in obtaining UK citizenship:

What determines the processing time for a naturalisation application in the United Kingdom?

According to the government website, it takes 6 months to process a citizenship application. In practice, the naturalisation process in the UK can take much longer if the applicant does not provide all the information required to confirm their right to British citizenship.

The speed of processing is also affected by factors beyond your control, such as the staffing levels of the British Home Office and their workload at the time of your application.

Are there ways to speed up the processing of a naturalisation application in England?

Permanent residents of the United Kingdom know that during the process of obtaining a residence permit, they had the opportunity to save time by paying for priority processing of their application. Unfortunately, this service is not available to those applying for naturalisation in the UK.

Common mistakes when applying for naturalisation in the UK

1. Applicant does not meet the requirements
   This mistake is common among applicants who rely solely on their own efforts during the naturalisation process and neglect to seek qualified legal assistance. An experienced immigration solicitor will be able to objectively assess your chances of obtaining British citizenship during your initial consultation.

2. Errors and inaccuracies in the application form
   The online application form must be completed as accurately as possible. A significant portion of the information provided by the applicant must be supported by documents. Under no circumstances should you provide false information about yourself, as this may be construed as an attempt to mislead the UK immigration authorities!

3. Incomplete set of documents
   This is the most common mistake made by applicants who submit their naturalisation documents to the UK on their own. Missing one or more supporting documents will, at best, result in a delay. Representatives of the British Home Office will be forced to contact you and request the missing information. In some cases, an incomplete set of documents is grounds for rejecting the application.

4. Failure to meet deadlines
   When preparing to submit your application, you must ensure that all the necessary deadlines have been met:
   • you can prove that you have lived in the country for at least the previous five years,
   • you were physically present in the country five years ago on the date of application (three years ago for spouses of British citizens)

Annoying mistakes and inaccuracies delay the granting of citizenship indefinitely and lead to additional costs. The British immigration authorities do not refund the £1,735 registration fee when they reject or cancel an incorrectly completed application.

Imperial & Legal provides applicants with expert legal support at every stage of the naturalisation process, reducing the likelihood of errors to zero.

 Obtain British citizenship with Imperial & Legal!

Over many years of fruitful work, our lawyers have accumulated a wealth of experience in solving problems related to organising immigration to Europe and the UK. We will not only provide you with visa support, but also help your whole family move to England: we will find suitable accommodation close to work and a good nursery and school for your children.

When the time comes, with the legal support of Imperial & Legal’s competent specialists, you will easily obtain British permanent residence and apply for naturalisation in the UK. If all the supporting documents are prepared with the help of our specialists, the Home Office will process your application quickly, and you will receive your coveted British passport in just 6 months.