British Nationality

While applying for UK citizenship, you must fulfil the following criteria to be eligible for British citizenship for naturalisation.

• You need to be 18 years old or over.
• You must spend 3 continuous years in the UK prior to your application date. 
• You need to make sure that the total number of absences from the UK over the qualifying period is not over 270 days.
• You need to make sure that the total number of absences from the UK during the 12 months prior to the application does not exceed 90 days.
• You need to hold for at least 12 months Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK.
• You have to meet good character and avoid having a serious or recent criminal record.
• You must provide proof of knowledge of the language and life in the UK by fulfilling the English language requirements and getting a good score on the Life in the UK test.
• You must ensure compliance with UK immigration rules throughout the qualifying period.
• You must show your intention to remain in the UK.

There are certain criteria to become a British national through naturalisation without marriage and after marriage. So, it is necessary to do an eligibility check before you prepare for the application. 

If you are not married to a British national, you have to make sure that you are 18 years or above and that you have been in the UK for five years before the date of your application. You were not absent from the UK for more than 450 days during that five-year period. You were not absent from the UK for more than 90 days during the 12-month period that was immediately preceding the date of your application.

You have good character.

You have proof of having adequate knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic language.

You have the intention to live in the UK if your application is successful.

If you are married to a British citizen, you will be eligible to apply for British Citizenship by Naturalisation when you are granted Indefinite Leave to Remain and you meet all of the other requirements for British Citizenship by Naturalisation.

In case you are not married to a British citizen, you must be free of immigration time restrictions for at least 12 months preceding the date of your application.  That way you will be qualified to apply for British Citizenship by Naturalisation after ILR is granted.

The process of British citizenship application is not easy, especially when you are applying through naturalisation. You have to fulfil a set of criteria to show your eligibility and get the seal of approval to be a UK national and acquire all benefits of citizens of the UK. The application process for British citizenship can continue for up to 6 months if you meet all criteria properly and your documents are correct.

But, in some cases, the duration of the application process can be longer. It can happen if there is an issue with the documentation or application form. So, it is necessary to ensure that your application is done accurately and your documents are carefully checked before submission.

If you are an adult and want to apply for British citizenship by naturalisation, you have to first complete Form AN correctly and provide all the necessary documentation to proceed in the application process. You need to make sure that there is no mistake made by you and that the application is error-free and complete. It will reduce the chances of getting your British citizenship application rejected.  To complete the procedure, you have to make an appointment and attend a UKVCAS centre in order to submit your supporting documents, fingerprints and photograph. In the UKVCAS centre, your application will be thoroughly checked and reviewed by UKVI to validate your visa status and tax status and also check if you have any type of immigration, criminal or even civil legal issues.

After the completion of the application process, you will be granted citizenship and provided with an invitation to attend a citizenship ceremony where you will receive your UK citizenship certificate of naturalisation.