BRITISH CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION
What is British Citizenship?
British citizenship by naturalisation is the legal step that turns your ILR or Settled Status into full UK nationality. Once the Home Office issues your certificate, you can apply for a British passport, vote in all elections, stand for public office and leave the country for years without asking permission to return. The law calls this process naturalisation, and it is the same route used by most adults who were not born British.
Eligibility and Requirements
The table below explains the requirements you must satisfy before you can apply for British citizenship. Understanding the UK citizenship requirements helps you prepare your application properly.
Requirement | Rule in Brief |
|---|---|
Residence length | 5 years lawful stay plus 1 year with ILR, or 3 years total if married to a British citizen |
Absences 5 year route | 450 days or fewer outside the UK in the last 5 years and 90 days or fewer in the final 12 months |
Absences 3 year spouse route | 270 days or fewer outside the UK in the last 3 years and 90 days or fewer in the final 12 months |
ILR waiting period | Hold ILR or Settled Status for 12 full months, unless you are married to a British citizen |
English language | Pass a Home Office approved B1 test, or hold a degree taught in English, or be from a majority English country |
Life in the UK test | Book the 45 minute computer test at a government centre and score 75 percent or higher |
Referees | Two people who have known you 3 years or more, hold a British passport and are professionals or over 25 |
Good character | No recent convictions, civil judgments, immigration breaches or serious debt to the NHS |
Who is exempt from English / Life in the UK test ?
-
Aged 65 or over on the date of application
-
Long-term physical or mental condition confirmed by a doctor (use form NAA1)
-
Nationals of majority-English countries listed in the rules (e.g. USA, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand)
Document checklist
-
Current passport
-
Old passports
-
Biometric Residence Permit or digital settled status-must be valid on the day you apply
-
Life in the UK pass certificate: the PDF you download after the test. Emails are not accepted
-
English language proof: B1 test pass, degree certificate taught in English, or passport from a majority English-speaking country.
-
Proof you have lived here: two items per year from utility bills, bank statements, council tax letters, NHS letters, P60s or tenancy agreements.
-
List of every absence: day and month out and back for each trip.
-
Marriage or civil partnership certificate: only if you rely on the shorter three-year spouse route
Extra Evidence if You Are Self-Employed
-
Latest HMRC tax year overview – download from your Government Gateway account. It shows the total tax paid for the year
-
SA302 calculation – official summary of income for each qualifying year. Profit must meet or exceed the going rate
-
Business bank statements – twelve months of statements for the company account. Personal statements alone are not enough
-
VAT registration letter – only if turnover tops the VAT threshold. It proves the trade is genuine
-
Letter from your accountant – on headed paper, confirming trading dates and that your tax is up to date. One short paragraph is enough
Referee Details
Understanding the referee requirements for citizenship UK avoids Home Office refusal
-
Referee 1 form section – British passport holder who is a professional (doctor, teacher, lawyer, etc.) and has known you personally for at least three years
-
Referee 2 form section – any British passport holder aged 25 or over who has also known you for three years
-
Passport style photo endorsement – each referee writes on the back, “I certify this is a true likeness of [your name]”, signs and dates in black ink
Standard Processing Times
The Home Office aims to decide most cases within six to eight months from the date you submit your biometrics. Ceremonies usually follow three to four weeks after the approval email. There is no priority or super-priority service for naturalisation applications. Everyone joins the same queue.
Apply for British citizenship through KP Immigration. We will audit your timeline in 24 hours and guide you to the quickest, safest route to a British passport.