Individuals who have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK, also known as settlement or permanent residence, and settled status for EEA nationals and their family members, may be eligible to apply for naturalisation as a British citizen.
To apply for naturalisation as a British citizen, applicants must:
- Be over 18 years old.
- Be of good character and sound mind.
- Have sufficient knowledge of the English language and have passed a Life in the UK test.
- Have not broken any immigration laws while in the UK.
- Intend to make the UK their principal home.
- Have spent less than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months.
- Be settled in the UK and have been free from immigration control for at least 12 months, unless married to a British citizen.
Applicants must also meet the residency requirements showing:
- They have lived in the UK for at least five years before the application date.
- They have spent less than 450 days outside the UK during this five-year period.
For those married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, the residency requirement is reduced:
- They must have lived in the UK for at least three years before the application date.
- They must have spent less than 270 days outside the UK during these three years.
Applicants who have been absent from the UK for longer periods may still qualify in certain circumstances.
Dual nationality after naturalisation: The UK permits dual nationality, but many other countries require their citizens to renounce their nationality upon becoming British. Applicants should check their home country's nationality rules before applying for British citizenship.
