Naturalisation Citizenship

1. Before applying

You should check if your country of nationality allows dual citizenship. Some countries do not allow dual citizenship and you may lose your existing nationality in order to become a British.

Before making your application you should learn the questions about this. If the country of your current citizenship continues to recognize you as one of its citizens, you may continue to be subject to the duties of citizens of your country when you are in the territory of your country. This may include obligations to undergo military service.

2. Who can apply?

You can apply for citizenship after receiving an indefinite leave to remain or ‘settled status’ if you live in the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, British Overseas Territory or if you live elsewhere and want to apply by post.

The following can also be submitted:

You can apply for Naturalization if you are in an illegal situation and have lived in England for 10 years (without official deportation), but surrendered to the authorities, issued a residence permit and spent another 10 years in legal status.

3. If you were born in the UK

You cannot get UK citizenship automatically if you were born in the UK. It depends on when you were born and what status your parents have. You need to check if you are a British citizen.

You can be eligible to apply for Naturalization Citizenship if you were born in the UK and are not automatically a British citizen.

4. Is indefinite leave to remain the same as settled status?

The settled status of immigrants in the UK is called Indefinite Leave to Remain. The Home Office issues it to non-EU nationals where they qualify for it under the Immigration Rules.

5. Eligibility and fees

You can apply for British citizenship if you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and have had one of the following for 12 months:

• indefinite leave to remain in the country
• ‘Settled status’ (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement 
 Scheme’)
• indefinite leave to enter the country – permission to move to the UK permanently from 
abroad.

If you’re married to a British citizen, you can apply for citizenship within 12 months. You must also:

• be over 18
• prove your knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic
• have passed the Life in the UK test
• provide evidence that you were in the UK for exactly five years before the Home 
 Office’s receipt of your application
• be of good character according to the naturalisation guidance

6. Documents and requirements

To be successful in your Naturalization application, you need to provide the documents and evidence such as:

• Your passport.
• Prove you were in the UK exactly 5 years before the day the Home Office receives 
 your application: E.g. P60 or NIN records or Tenancy agreement and rent payments.
• Prove your knowledge of English – English qualification at B1, B2, C1 or C2 level.
• Have passed “The life in the UK test”.
• You meet the good character requirement.

You should not have:

• spent more than 450 days outside the UK during the 5 years before your application;
• spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months.

7. When to apply?

5 years must have passed since your physical presence in the UK before the Home Office receives your application.

If you weren’t in the UK for exactly five years prior to the Home Office receiving your application, it can be denied. This depends on the cause of your absence from the UK.

If you were unable to live in the UK at the beginning of the five-year period due to health issues or travel limitations, or if you were ordered to leave the country during that time but the order was later reversed, the Home Office will take those particular circumstances into account.

8. When can I apply for citizenship after indefinite leave?

Unless you are married to a British citizen, you can typically apply for citizenship 12 months after receiving indefinite leave to remain (also known as “indefinite leave to enter”).

9. What are the options if my citizenship application has been refused?

In case of refusal of your Naturalization application, you need to carefully read the decision of the Home Office by yourself or with the help of the Immigration Adviser. And find out:

• the reasons for refusal
• what are the next actions

If you find out that you have evidence, and the Home Office did not consider it, then you have an option of requesting reconsideration of your application. You can ask the Home Office to reopen your case. Either considering some missed points during the first application you can submit a fresh citizenship application.

The procedure of Naturalization application is quite complicated and there are a lot of details which are impossible to write down. E.g. you need to provide 2 recommendations from specified professionals and you have to consider even the points on your driving license. Any small issue which is unknown to you could be a reason for citizenship application refusal.

10. How long will the period of obtaining citizenship take?

The Home Office will consider your application for up to 6 months. Within this period they can ask for any kind of additional documents if they need them. After getting the positive decision of citizenship you will be required to attend the ceremony of citizenship in your local council. And after getting the certificate of citizenship you can apply for a 1st adult or child British passport.

11. How much it costs?

It costs £1,580 to apply. Additionally, you must have your biometric data (fingerprints and a photo) taken; there is no cost associated with this. After you’ve applied, you’ll be instructed on how to proceed.

12. How our company will help?

You can get a full package of visa and citizenship services from us.

Our Immigration Consultants have extensive experience helping and advising on obtaining visas to the UK, as well as solving problems in obtaining British Citizenship for immigrants from Europe, the USA, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, British Overseas Territory and other countries.

We will advise you on the type of visa that suits your situation. We will develop an immigration plan for the purpose of moving and obtaining UK citizenship. We will also help you move your family to the UK. We will provide full support for adaptation in the country as well.

Our advisers will help you choose a kindergarten, school, or university for your children. If necessary, we will advise effective English language courses. We will help you create a bank account, register a company, etc. For more information, see the section.
«Our Services».

When the time comes, we will easily help you apply for British Permanent Residence and apply for Naturalization in the UK.

If all the documents are prepared by our “BS Immigration” advisers, then the application process at the Home Office takes a little time, and then you will be able to get a British Passport just in 6 months.

Our company “BS Immigration” has experienced Immigration Consultants who have the latest information on all visa and citizenship issues. What we will do for you:

• Consult on all issues of Naturalization Citizenship
• Evaluate your possibilities of obtaining citizenship in your case
• Help you collect the necessary documents
• Fill out application forms and other documents
• Apply for a citizenship
• inform you when and where you should submit biometric data
• Inform you about the decision of the Home Office
• In case of refusal, we can appeal and achieve a positive result
• Help you and your family to obtain UK citizenship