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British Citizenship

Applying for British Citizenship Application

A guide to applying for British citizenship

For many migrants, applying for British citizenship or nationality is the ultimate immigration goal. Obtaining British citizenship offers you complete rights to live, work, and travel in the United Kingdom. You can visit and exit the nation freely and enjoy the prestige that such prestigious citizenship provides.

Citizenship is seldom withdrawn; therefore, getting British citizenship will provide you and your family with security. For many people who have come to the UK and established a life here, the moment they qualify to apply for British citizenship is the conclusion of years of hard work and preparation.  Being refused citizenship after devoting so much of your life to the process may be devastating.

As a result, it is critical to create a high-quality naturalization application that increases the odds of success.  Global Solicitors will assist you in putting together a solid application and gathering all necessary papers.

British Citizenship Ceremony - What is it?

A citizenship ceremony is required to complete the process of becoming a British citizen. You will swear an oath or affirmation of allegiance to the Crown as well as a promise of loyalty to the United Kingdom during the ceremony. This is a formal commitment made to Her Majesty the Queen and the United Kingdom. After taking the oath and making the vow, you will be awarded your certificate of British citizenship, which will serve as legal proof that you are a British citizen. The Citizenship Ceremony costs £80, which you paid when you submitted your application for British citizenship. To the ceremony, you must present a copy of the Citizenship ceremony invitation. If you don’t, your ceremony will be rescheduled. You must also bring picture identification to the ceremony, since the registrar may request it.

Eligibility for Naturalization - British Citizenship Requirements

You must meet the following criteria:

  • Have lawfully resided in the UK for at least five years
  • For at least 12 months, you must have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
  • Comply with the residence criteria.
  • Proof of linguistic proficiency is required:
  • Nationality from an English-speaking country OR a recognized English language degree OR successful completion of an authorized English language exam
  • Pass the 'Life in the UK' exam
  • Have a good personality.
  • Plan to stay in the UK permanently

Our immigration law experts are happy to assist you with details regarding these British citizenship requirements. Please contact us for more information.

How long must I maintain continuous residency to become a British citizen?

To achieve the ‘continuous residency criteria,’ you must demonstrate that you have resided in the UK for at least five years and have done the following during that time:

  • spent no more than 450 days outside the UK throughout those five years or 270 days in the previous three years
  • spent no more than 90 days outside the UK in the previous year

If you have any questions regarding whether you fulfill the ‘continuous residency requirements,’ please contact one of our immigration lawyers.

How do I become a British citizen by birth?

You would be a British citizen by birth if you were born in the United Kingdom before January 1, 1983. If you were born in the United Kingdom after January 1, 1983, you would be a British citizen by birth if at least one of your parents was a British citizen or had settled in the United Kingdom at the time of your birth.

What are the mandatory requirements for British citizenship by descent?

A British citizen by descent is someone who was born outside the UK to British parents and was registered as a British citizen. If a British citizen by ancestry has a child born in another country, they cannot generally transmit their citizenship straight on to the kid; instead, they must register the child for British citizenship, if eligible. If the other parent is a British citizen other than via ancestry, such as by birth, naturalization, or adoption, that parent should be entitled to pass on their citizenship to the child directly.

How do I obtain British citizenship? What documents do I need to submit?

You must provide the following documents with your application (not a complete list):

  • Your passport or travel document, as well as a valid identity card (where applicable).
  • Evidence that you have Indefinite Leave to Remain
  • Evidence of your command of the English language
  • Your certificate of passing the Life in the UK exam
  • If appropriate, your marriage or civil partnership certificate
  • Payslips (if P60s do not cover the entire time) for the last six years, or five years if married to a British citizen.
  • Self-employed candidates must provide self-assessment statements for each of the last six/five years.

Our experts can help you gather the necessary papers and guarantee that nothing is overlooked.

To register for British citizenship, what documents will I need?

This is dependent on the grounds for the claim to British citizenship. In some situations, you may be required to give proof of residency in the UK.

Can a person hold dual citizenship in the United Kingdom?

Yes, British laws allow all citizens to hold another nationality or nationalities.

How much does British citizenship cost?

  • Naturalization costs £1,330 (including the £80 British citizenship charge) from the Home Office. The charge for biometric enrollment is £19.20.
  • Adult registration costs £1,206 (including the £80 British Citizenship charge) from the Home Office. The charge for biometric enrollment is £19.20.
  • The Home Office charges £1,012 for child registration (with an extra £80 British Citizenship cost if the youngster turns 18 during the application process). The charge for biometric enrollment is £19.20.
  • Naturalization does not have any priority services.

Check if you are eligible to become a British citizen

  • Your eligibility to become a British citizen is determined by your circumstances.
  • You may be able to apply in more than one manner, in which case you can pick which option to choose.
  • You can apply for British citizenship if you have lived in the UK for at least 5 years
  • Have had Indefinite Leave to Remain for at least 12 months or EU Settled Status for at least 12 months.

Naturalization is available for spouses of British citizens who have lived in the UK for three years and have met the following criteria:

  • They have Indefinite Leave to Remain or settled status in the European Union.
  • You may also be able to apply for British citizenship if you have a British parent, are stateless, or have held another sort of British nationality at any point in your life.
  • If you are a Commonwealth citizen, you may be eligible for British citizenship under the Windrush scheme if you or your parents arrived in the UK before 1973, you remain in the Kingdom, and you have not departed for more than two years.
We will analyze the unique circumstances of the applicant and provide honest advice; our immigration law experts are happy to assist you. Contact us for more information.

What is the process for applying for British citizenship?

Applicants from other countries can now apply online. You must complete an online form and answer all questions pertinent to your application. Before applying, you can amend and download it. Our staff can advise you on the finest solutions accessible to you and your family.

Who can be a referee for my British citizenship application?

One referee must be a professional of any nationality, such as a doctor or a minister of religion. A lawyer can serve as a referee, but he or she cannot be the one who represents you in your application. The second referee must likewise be a British citizen and either a British citizen or above the age of 25.

How can one register for British citizenship through immigration?

Adults may be able to register as British citizens under the following conditions:

You have another sort of British nationality if you were born before January 1, 1983, to a British mother.

Adults and children may be eligible to register if they meet the following criteria:

  • They were born in the UK; neither of their parents was British or established
  • Spent the first ten years of their childhood in the UK
  • Spent no more than 90 days outside the UK in any of the first ten years.

A non-British child (under 18) may become eligible to register as a British citizen if they were born in the United Kingdom and one of their parents has been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain/Settled status.

A non-British child born outside the UK to a parent who has been granted ILR may also be able to apply for registration in limited circumstances.

Approximately how long does it take to apply for British citizenship?

The application process can take up to 6 months, however, most applications are decided considerably sooner. Once accepted, you will get your approval letter, followed by a citizenship invitation letter. You must schedule a citizenship ceremony as soon as possible at your local registration. Ceremonies are dependent on availability. You will only become a British citizen after attending your naturalization ceremony and receiving your certificate of naturalization. Once the naturalization procedure is complete, you can apply for your first British passport.

What is the procedure for tracking the status of my application for British citizenship?

You will be assigned a unique reference number once you have completed your application and paid the applicable charge. This reference will be used when uploading supporting papers and enrolling biometric data. However, tracking your application directly is not typically possible.  If any extra papers are necessary, a caseworker from the Home Office will contact you in writing. If your application falls outside of the typical service standard, you should be notified in writing. When your application is approved, you will get a letter informing you of the outcome.

What are the benefits of becoming a British citizen?

There are several benefits to becoming a British citizen.  One of the most essential benefits is the emotional peace of mind that comes from knowing that you have the same right to remain in the UK as someone born here, regardless of future government actions. Other benefits include:
  • You can freely enter and exit the UK for as long as you like.
  • You have the right to vote and can vote in all municipal and general elections.
  • You will be able to get all state benefits and healthcare.

How do I apply for British citizenship?

The application form for British citizenship is different depending on the sort of citizenship application you are making. The majority of British citizenship applications are processed online. As an applicant, you should choose the sort of citizenship application you need and then fill out the form online. Payment would also be completed online, and you would be able to enter a separate page to upload supporting papers and schedule a biometric session.

Some paper application forms are still accessible for completion and mailing. For example, Form AN is the proper form for naturalization, whereas Form MN1 is the correct form for registering a minor kid. Applicants are discouraged from utilizing the postal application unless essential.

What are the steps to becoming a British citizen through naturalization?

You will need to:-
  • Check you meet the requirements, including residency requirements and good character requirements;
  • Gather the necessary supporting evidence for your application;
  • Seek references from two individuals who meet the requirements to act as referees for your application;
  • Complete an online form;
  • Submit the form and pay the relevant fee;
  • Upload scanned copies of your supporting documents to the correct online portal;
  • Book and attend a “biometric appointment”;
  • Cooperate with the Home Office in case of any requests for additional information during the decision-making process, if applicable;
  • On receipt of your approval you will be issued with a Citizenship invitation letter – you must arrange a Citizenship
  • Ceremony as soon as possible and within 3 months of the letter. You will not be a British Citizen until you have completed your ceremony;
  • Attend your ceremony, where you will be required to swear an oath/affirmation of allegiance and you will be given your certificate of naturalization.

What is the process for applying for British citizenship through naturalization?

The application for British citizenship through naturalization is the procedure by which foreign persons become full citizens of the United Kingdom and Great Britain. All naturalization petitions submitted to the government are assessed on a discretionary basis, which means that, while the conditions for naturalization are spelled out in the law, no applicant is regarded to have the “right” to citizenship simply because they satisfy these requirements. The prerequisites for naturalization are well stated; however, each application will be treated differently. Read more about naturalization here.

What is the process of acquiring British citizenship by marriage?

Marriage to a British citizen does not automatically confer citizenship. To be eligible for British citizenship, you must have also been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain, whether through a spousal visa or another immigration route. You must have lived in the UK for three years before your application, in addition to being married to a British citizen and possessing ILR status.

Is it possible to renounce British citizenship or nationality?

You can renounce (give up) your British citizenship or nationality. If you are accepted, you will receive a ‘declaration of renunciation’ that you may use to demonstrate that you are no longer a British citizen. Someone may opt to renounce their British citizenship if they wish to become a citizen of another nation that does not permit dual citizenship. You can only abandon your British citizenship or nationality in two situations:
  • You already have another nationality or citizenship
  • You will get another citizenship or nationality after relinquishing your British citizenship or status.
The following conditions must be met to renounce your British citizenship:
  • You must be at least 18 years old (unless you are under 18 and married).
  • You are of sound mind (unless it has been determined that it is in your best interests).

Can a refugee obtain British citizenship?

Yes, if a refugee fits the standards, he or she can seek British citizenship. Strict standards exist for naturalization, particularly in the event of earlier violations of immigration history, therefore an individual’s circumstances must be carefully assessed in case their immigration history may impair their application or eligibility.

How can I appeal a refusal to grant me British citizenship?

For a variety of reasons, applications for British citizenship may be denied.  One of the most prevalent is that the application form was filled out improperly and/or the required document was not provided. If your application is denied, our immigration attorneys will investigate the cause and advise you on the best course of action.  This might involve resubmitting the application, applying for reconsideration, or requesting a Judicial Review.

What does the ‘good character’ requirement mean?

There is no statutory definition of ‘good character,’ nor is there any statutory direction on how to interpret or apply the criteria. There is, however, internal advice for Home Office decision-makers in the shape of the Nationality advice (NG) Good character requirement, which gives information on how the criterion is applied in practice with respect to all relevant applications for British citizenship. Things that may cause immigration officials to suspect you are untrustworthy include (but are not limited to):
  • A criminal conviction deception in dealings with immigration officials regarding financial issues such as bankruptcy, debt, unauthorized use of public funds
  • Failure to pay council tax notoriety in the local or wider community.
Speak to one of our immigration attorneys if you feel that some part of your application may result in you failing to achieve the good character criteria.  Because of our expertise and experience, we can help you clarify your situation to the Home Office.

What are the options for appealing a British citizenship refusal decision?

There is no legal way to challenge citizenship choices. You may, however, be able to request that the Home Office review the denial decision. This is only permissible if you feel the judgment was not founded on solid legal, policy, or procedure. The denial letter will explain why your application was denied.

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