A to Z of British Naturalisation: Your Ultimate Guide

The process of achieving British citizenship through naturalisation is long and complicated. It can take up to 6 months to receive a decision once you have submitted your application. But despite the long process, nearly 200,000 people embark on this journey every year.

If you have been living in the UK for long enough to qualify for British citizenship, chances are you’ll be settled and feeling at home in the country. And who wouldn’t want citizenship for the country they call home?

In this guide, we’re running through the A-Z of everything you need to know about the British naturalisation application.

A – Application

You will need to complete form AN to become a British citizen by naturalisation. The form is 31 pages long and can be completed online or by using a paper form.

B – Biometrics

You will need to attend a biometrics appointment if you plan to apply for a British passport once you have achieved British citizenship status.

C – Citizenship ceremony

If your application is successful, you will have to attend a Citizenship ceremony. Your application decision letter will include this invitation if you are successful. You need to bring the invitation with you to the ceremony. During the ceremony, you will swear an oath of allegiance and a pledge to the United Kingdom.

D – Dual citizenship

Some nations will allow you to maintain dual citizenship, while others will require you to renounce your citizenship if you choose to apply for British citizenship. You can learn more about that here.

E – European Union

If you are from the European Union and you were already settled in the UK prior to the UK leaving the EU, you should by now have applied for Settled Status. After five years, you may be eligible for British citizenship through naturalisation.

F – Family members

Once you have achieved British citizenship, you will be eligible to bring family members with you to the UK. Your family members will be able to come to the UK on a family visa and you can be their visa sponsor. You will also be able to pass your British citizenship on to children.

G – Good character

One of the key parts of the British citizenship application is proving that you are of “good character”. This typically means that you do not have any criminal convictions. The Home Office will also consider things like your financial history, your previous immigration history, and if you have been honest in your proceedings. It applies to all applicants aged 10 and over.

H – Home Office

The Home Office is the department that deals with border control and citizenship applications.

I – Indefinite leave to remain

Indefinite leave to remain is the status before naturalisation. It means that you are allowed to remain in the UK to live, work and study. You can also leave the country and return without needing to apply for a visa every time. You could retain this status, or you can secure your rights in the UK with British citizenship.

J – Judicial review

There is no automatic right to appeal if your British citizenship application is rejected. However, you can apply to have the application reconsidered if you think there has been a mistake. This is similar to a judicial review. If this is unsuccessful, you won’t be able to appeal further, but you will be able to submit another application.

K – Knowledge of language test

Knowledge of the language is essential before you can secure British citizenship. You will need to take a test with a recognised provider to prove that you have a good knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic.

L – Life in the UK test

Another test that you will need to pass is the life in the UK test. This test is 24 questions long and you will have 45 minutes to complete it. You need to score at least 75% on the test to pass. The test covers things like British culture and traditions.

M – Marriage

If you are applying for British citizenship through marriage, you don’t need to wait 12 months after becoming eligible to apply. You can apply as soon as you have been living in the UK for five years.

N – Naturalisation

Naturalisation simply means the admittance of a foreigner to the citizenship of a country. Citizenship is normally achieved through your place of birth or your parents, whereas naturalisation is a conscious choice to accept citizenship of another country.

O – Oath of allegiance

During your British citizenship ceremony, you will have to pledge an oath of allegiance to the United Kingdom. This means that you promise to respect the rights, freedoms and laws of the UK.

P – Public funds

Once you are a British citizen through naturalisation, you will be able to access public funds like any other citizen.

Q – Qualifying period

The qualifying period for British citizenship through naturalisation is five years. This means that you have to be living in the UK (legally) for five years before you can apply for citizenship.

R – Right of abode

When you have the right of abode in a country, this means that you are free to live, work and study there. You can also come and go without worrying about your visa status.

S – Settled Status

EU citizens with settled status will become eligible for British citizenship through naturalisation after five years. You do not have to pursue this status and you can simply stay in the UK with indefinite leave to remain.

T – Travel Documents

You will need your passport to apply for British citizenship through naturalisation. Once successful, you’ll be able to apply for your British travel documents.

U – UKVI

UKVI stands for UK Visas and Immigration. It is a part of the Home Office that deals with the visa system.

V – Values

Before you can secure British citizenship, you will need to demonstrate that you understand British values. This is achieved through the life in the UK test. Your character will also be assessed as part of the application process.

W – Waiting times

Most applications will take more than 6 months to receive a decision. The Covid-19 pandemic caused some delays in processing applications, and this could still be having an impact today. If you submit incomplete information, this can slow down your application.

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