Applications for British Citizenship by Naturalisation are submitted under section 6 of the British Nationality Act 1981.

There are slightly different rules for persons who are married to or in a civil partnership with a British Citizen, and the differences are set out below:

Applications submitted under s.6(1) of the British Nationality Act 1981

Persons 18 years of age and older who are not married to or in a civil partnership with a British Citizen, can apply for British Citizenship by Naturalisation 12-months after they are granted settlement (indefinite leave to enter/remain).

Furthermore, they usually cannot have spent more than 450 days outside of the UK in the 5-year period before they make an application for British Citizenship, and they usually cannot spend more than 90 days outside the UK in the 12-months preceding the date they make their application.

They usually must also have been physically present in the UK exactly 5 years prior to the date the Home Office receives their application. For example, if a person in this scenario applies for British Citizenship on 30 December 2027, they must have been physically present in the UK on 31 December 2022.

If approved, they will need to attend a Citizenship Ceremony within 3-months of receiving their invitation. They cannot apply for a British Passport until they have been presented with a Certificate of Naturalisation.

Applications submitted under s.6(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981

Persons 18 years of age and older can apply for British Citizenship by Naturalisation as soon as they are granted settlement in the UK, if they are married to or in a civil partnership with a British Citizen.

At present, an applicant for citizenship who is married to or in a civil partnership with a British Citizen, cannot usually have spent more than 270 days outside of the UK in the 3-year period before they make an application for British Citizenship, and they cannot usually spend more than 90 days outside the UK in the 12-months preceding the date they make their application.

They usually must also have been physically present in the UK exactly 3 years prior to the date the Home Office receives their application. For example, if a person in this scenario applies for British Citizenship on 30 December 2027, they must have been physically present in the UK on 31 December 2024.

If approved, they will need to attend a Citizenship Ceremony within 3-months of receiving their invitation. They cannot apply for a British Passport until they have been presented with a Certificate of Naturalisation.

Do I have to apply from within the UK?

No, you can apply for British Citizenship by Naturalisation from inside or outside of the UK. If you apply outside of the UK, you can choose whether you attend a Citizenship Ceremony at a High Commission, Consulate, or Embassy, or with a local authority in the UK.

Do I have to attend a Citizenship Ceremony?

Yes, unless you qualify for British Citizenship under the Windrush Scheme.

How much does it cost?

It currently costs £1,630.00, inclusive of the Citizenship Ceremony fee.