Introduction
Obtaining UK citizenship is a long but achievable process for many foreigners. One of the popular routes is the so-called 10-year visa route. Let’s understand what it is and how to successfully complete this route.
Requirements to start the route
To begin your path to UK citizenship, you must first obtain a visa that allows for a long stay in the country. This can be a work visa, a student visa or a visa for family reunification. It is important to remember that the visa must be valid for the entire UK residence period.
Statistics show that the number of Russians only living in the UK is constantly growing. According to the 2021/22 census, there were 59,781 Russian-born people living in the country. This is a significant increase from 15,160 in 2001.
Naturalisation process
After five years of residence in the UK on an appropriate visa, you can apply for permanent residency (Indefinite Leave to Remain). This status entitles you to unlimited residence in the country.
You must then live with this status for another year before applying for UK citizenship.
A ten-year period of legal residence in the UK opens the way to permanent residence in the UK. Indefinite leave to remain is also called ‘settlement’. It gives you the right to live, work and study in the country for as long as you wish, and to claim benefits if you are entitled to them. Furthermore, ILR can be used as a basis for applying for British citizenship.
Ten-year residency requirements
To obtain ILR based on ten years of residence in the UK, you need to fulfil certain requirements. According to the UK Visas and Immigration Service:
You must have been lawfully resident in the country for ten years without interruption.
Your stay must be continuous and uninterrupted.
There must be no reason that would make granting ILR undesirable from a public point of view.
You must not have a criminal record or other standard grounds for refusal.
You must demonstrate knowledge of the English language and an understanding of life in the UK.
It is also important to recognise that you must be in the country for those 10 years on one of the following visas:
Student visa (Student visa);
Work visa (e.g. Skilled Worker visa);
Family visa;
Refugee or Humanitarian Protection visa;
Innovator Funder visa;
Skilled Worker visa;
Global Talent visa;
Any other visa that grants the right to long-term lawful stay.
These requirements are designed to ensure that the applicant is fully integrated into the community and complies with all local laws.
Language and cultural requirements
To become a British citizen, you must demonstrate a B1 level of English on the Common European Framework of Reference. In addition, you must pass the “Life in the UK” test, which tests your knowledge of British history, culture and customs.
Interestingly, there are Russian schools in London, especially in Notting Hill Gate, which help immigrant children keep in touch with the Russian language and culture.
Application process
Applying for UK citizenship is done online. Several documents are required, including proof of residence, language skills and passing the Life in the UK test. You also need to pay a fee, which for 2024 is £1,330.
Once you have applied, it usually takes around 6 months to receive a decision. If you are successful, you will be invited to a citizenship ceremony.
Statistics and trends
In 2023, 202,041 UK citizenships were granted, an increase of 15 per cent in 2022. Of these, 47,259 were issued to EU citizens and 154,782 to non-EU citizens.
Interestingly, India (18,288 citizens), Pakistan (16,440) and Nigeria (8,836) lead the way among non-EU countries. These figures show that UK citizenship remains attractive to people from all over the world.
Conclusion
Obtaining UK citizenship through the 10-year visa route is a lengthy but achievable process. It requires patience, compliance with all the rules and integration into British society. But the result is worth the effort – a British passport opens up many opportunities to travel, work and live in one of the most developed countries in the world.
How can our company help?
Turning to professional immigration consultants can make the process much easier. Our company provides the following services:
Assistance in preparing the application and documents.
Checking the correctness of the information provided.
Verification of the availability of all necessary documents.
Answers to any questions related to applying.
Filing an Appeal in case of refusal
You can read about our services in more detail by clicking on the link:
Our specialists will help you to avoid mistakes and maximise the ease of obtaining visas to the UK, permanent residence or citizenship.
Contact us and we will give you all the details of the different visa routes and give you a quick free assessment of your chances.
