Citizenship and Naturalisation

If it’s not possible to lay claim on a Citizenship which is based on your ancestry! You’ll have to apply for naturalization by way of the following two categories:

Naturalization after three years in the UK as a spouse of an UK Citizen
Naturalization after five years in the UK

On November 1st, 2005, the British government introduced the new Life in the UK test you will have to pass this test in order for you to become a British citizen. Once you have passed the life in the UK test and received your certificate, please don’t hesitate to contact us. With our expert immigration team we can make your application right away!

Naturalisation after five years in the UK

Naturalisation is the most common way for adults who were not born British to become British. People who have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR ) can, subject to fulfilling residence requirements, apply to naturalise as British Citizens. It is necessary to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the language, and of life in the UK, and to be of sound character. This can be done by taking a test as mentioned above or undertaking a course of study. Naturalisation takes place at a public ceremony.

If you are not married to an UK Citizen, it will then be necessary for you to meet the following residence requirements over the last five years.

You would be expected to have been living in the UK for exactly five years before the date the application arrives at the Home Office; and
During this five-year period you must not have been outside the United Kingdom for more than 450 days (about 15 months); and
During the last 12 months of the five-year period you must not have been outside the UK for more than 90 days; and
During the last 12 months of the five-year period your stay in the United Kingdom you must have held a Permanente abode/ indefinite leave to remain (ILR); and
You should not have been living in the United Kingdom in breach of the UK immigration rules at any time during this five-year period ending with the date that the application is received by the Home Office.

You can expect to wait up to six to seven months to process the application. If you would like us to help you with a naturalization application made on the basis of having permanent residency. Please contact our office for advice.

Naturalization after three years in the UK as a spouse of an UK Citizen

The requirements are very similar as set out above. The difference is that there is a shorter residency requirement of three years in the UK as opposed to five years. These three years of the residency requirement will be counted from the date your naturalization application is received by the Home Office.

More information on residency requirements are as follows:

You would be expected to have been living in the United Kingdom at the beginning of the three- year period; and
On the date that your application is received in the Home Office, you must have permanent residence/ ILR in the UK; and
During the three-year period you must not have been outside the UK for more than 270 days (approximately 9 months); and
During the last 12 months of the five-year period you must not have been outside the UK for more than 90 days; and
You must not have been in breach of any UK immigration rules at any time during this three-year period of residence in the UK.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information and assistance on how to make an application for naturalization based on marriage to a British citizen.

Naturalisation by Marriage

If you are over 18 years of age and are able to communicate in the English language (or Welsh or Scottish Gaelic). There are exemptions to this requirement, for example if you are elderly or mentally handicapped.You intend to live in the UK or abroad working for the UK Government; have lived in the UK for 3 years with limited occasions when you have been away; are not in breach of any immigration rules, you are allowed to apply for naturalization.

* No more than 270 days away in the 3 years and 90 days away in the last year.
The above mentioned is a broad outline of the requirements. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you wish to continue with this application.

Right of Abode

A dual national will be allowed to a Right of Abode stamp in their foreign passport to allow travel into the UK without any hindrance.
It is also possible to have the Right of Abode if:

They are a commonwealth woman married to a British Citizen as on or before 1.1.1983.
They are a Commonwealth citizen and one of their parents was born as a British Citizen.

A person with this right of abode has the right to apply and register as a British Citizen.