Office Address

Global Immigration Solutions
Hiltongrove Business Centre
Hatherley Mews
London
E17 4QP
Telephone: 08448 044 128

FACT SHEETS

 

Applying for British Citizenship

British nationality law is extremely complicated, and there are several routes by which people may become British. The most common of these is the process of naturalisation.

Naturalisation is the process whereby non-British adults who have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, either on the basis of their marriage to a UK citizen, or on some other basis, become British. There is no automatic right to British citizenship, and such applications are always at the discretion of the Secretary of State. There is no right to appeal against a refusal, though there is a right to ask for a review of an unfavourable decision. The Home Office currently charge £655 for an application for naturalisation by an individual, and £735 for a joint application by a husband and wife.

The criteria to be met before naturalisation is granted are that the applicant must:

  • Be over 18 years of age
  • Meet the 'residence requirements' - that is, have been resident in the UK for a minimum of 5 years, unless the application is on the basis of marriage to a UK citizen, in which case a minimum of 3 years is required
  • Have no time limit on their stay in the UK
  • Be of good character
  • Have sufficient knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic and have sufficient knowledge of life in the UK.

Click here for more information on the life in the UK test.

In addition to these requirements, which all applicants for naturalisation must meet, all applicants except those applying on the basis of their marriage to a British citizen must also show that they intend to live permanently in the UK, and to have their main home here.

If naturalisation is granted applicants will have to attend a citizenship ceremony, usually held by the local authority, where an oath of allegiance or affirmation of allegiance to the Queen will have to be taken, and a pledge of loyalty to the UK given, before the process of becoming a British citizen is complete.

Minors - that is, anyone who is below the age of 18 - are not naturalised, but can be registered as British citizens, either at the same time as their parents are naturalised, or when their parents have settled status in the UK. The Home Office currently charge £400 for an application to register a minor as a British citizen.

As well as these most common ways of becoming a British citizen, there are some categories of people who may be British citizens, either because of their own historic links with the UK, or those of their family. If these are proven then such people do not have to apply for naturalisation, but are registered as British citizens by right.

If you think that you may have a claim to British citizenship, please email Robin Molyneux or Asha Thomas or telephone on 08448 044 128 for advice.

Our Services

We can act as your representatives from the time you lodge the application until the time you receive the decision from the Home Office. We will:

  • Advise you in detail of the legal requirements which you will have to meet for your application to be successful, including on the citizenship ceremony without which you cannot become a British citizen
  • Explain how the legal requirements will be interpreted by the UK authorities, based on the internal instructions given to their caseworkers
  • Complete the application form on your behalf based on the information you give us
  • Give you detailed advice about the supporting evidence which will need to be submitted along with your application
  • Submit your application form along with all evidence and with legal representations on your behalf. In the legal representations we will set out the particulars of your case and circumstances, details of the law under which you are asking for your application to be considered, and show how you meet the requirements of the law, presenting your case in the best possible light and explain in legal terms why your application should be successful.
  • Liaise with the appropriate authorities until a decision on your application is received