You’ll usually be able to apply for citizenship if you’re over 18 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 will not need to wait 12 months to apply if you’re married to a British citizen . You must also: prove you were in the UK exactly 5 years before the day the Home Office receives your application prove your knowledge of English , Welsh or Scottish Gaelic have passed the life in the UK test intend to continue living in the UK be of good character - read the naturalisation guidance If you’ve been away from 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. Check if you’re eligible another way , for example if you have permanent residence. Residency requirements You should have lived in the UK for at least 5 years before the date of your application. 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 You should also not have: spent more than 450 days outside the UK during those 5 years 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) How much it costs It costs £1,330 to apply. You must also pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken. You’ll be told how to do this after you’ve applied.

There are 2 ways to apply for British citizenship by naturalisation. You can either: make an application yourself use an agent or representative Make an application yourself Read the guidance to check if you can apply and what documents you need to provide. Fill in the form online . You’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo). You do not need to send your documents anywhere. You can either: upload copies into the online service have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment You can also apply in other ways . If you’re applying from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory If you live in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory , you have to apply in person or by post instead . Check which you can do with your governor’s office. You’ll be told where to give your biometric information after you apply. Get help to apply online You can get help with completing the online form if you: do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device do not have internet access You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK. You cannot get immigration advice through this service. Apply through an agent or representative An agent or representative is a private company or individual that can help you with your application and give you advice. Check if an agent or representative is registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner ( OISC ) . You can also use some solicitors or barristers that are not registered with the OISC . These include: General Council of the Bar Law Society of England and Wales Chartered Institute of Legal Executives Faculty of Advocates Law Society of Scotland General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland Law Society of Northern Ireland

Apply for your children

You must apply separately for your children - you cannot include them in your own application. You can apply to ‘register’ your child for citizenship if they were born either: outside of the UK inside the UK before you were granted indefinite leave to remain Read the guidance to check you can apply . How much it costs It costs £1,012 to apply for each child. You must also pay £80 for your child’s citizenship ceremony if they turn 18 during the application process. When you do not need to apply for your child Your child may automatically be a British citizen if they were born both: in the UK after you were granted indefinite leave to remain You can apply for a child’s passport if your child is under 16. Your child can apply for an adult passport if they’re over 16.

After you get your certificate

You must send your biometric residence permit ( BRP ) back to the Home Office within 5 working days of getting your certificate of British citizenship. Cut your BRP into 4 pieces and put it in a windowless envelope. Include a note saying you’re returning your permit because you’ve become a citizen. Include your name, date of birth and the document number (found on the front of the card) in the note. Naturalisation BRP Returns PO Box 195 Bristol BS20 1BT You’ll be fined up to £1,000 if you do not return your permit within 5 working days. Travelling to and from the UK Once you have a British passport you must use this to enter the UK. If you do not want a British passport you can apply for a certificate of entitlement instead. You cannot enter the UK using your BRP or certificate of British citizenship.

Apply for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain or 'settled status'

Q: After you’ve applied

You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months - some applications can take longer. You’ll be told if you need to provide more information to help with your application. If your circumstances change You should contact UK Visas and Immigration (part of the Home Office) if your situation changes during your application (for example, you move house, get married or are arrested). Nationality contact centre nationalityenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk You might be asked to attend an interview where you’ll need to speak without an interpreter. Attending a citizenship ceremony You’ll need to attend a citizenship ceremony if your application is successful.

Eligibility and fees

You’ll usually be able to apply for citizenship if you’re over 18 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 will not need to wait 12 months to apply if you’re married to a British citizen.

You must also:

prove you were in the UK exactly 5 years before the day the Home Office receives your application
prove your knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic
have passed the life in the UK test
intend to continue living in the UK
be of good character - read the naturalisation guidance

If you’ve been away from 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. Check if you’re eligible another way, for example if you have permanent residence.

Residency requirements

You should have lived in the UK for at least 5 years before the date of your application.

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

You should also not have:

spent more than 450 days outside the UK during those 5 years
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)

How much it costs

It costs £1,330 to apply.

You must also pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken. You’ll be told how to do this after you’ve applied.

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Apply for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain or 'settled status'

Eligibility and fees

If you’ve been away from the UK

Residency requirements

How much it costs

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Apply for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain or 'settled status'

Eligibility and fees

If you’ve been away from the UK

Residency requirements

How much it costs

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