Understanding UK naturalisation requirements is essential for anyone seeking British citizenship. This comprehensive guide covers the eligibility criteria, residency rules, good character assessment, application fees, and the step-by-step process for becoming a British citizen through naturalisation in 2026.

Table of Contents

Understanding UK Naturalisation
Eligibility Criteria for British Citizenship
Residency and Continuous Residence Requirements
Good Character Requirement
How to Apply for Naturalisation
Naturalisation Fees and Processing Times
Common Refusal Reasons
Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding UK Naturalisation Requirements

Naturalisation is the legal process by which foreign nationals become British citizens. The UK naturalisation requirements are set out in the British Nationality Act 1981 and administered by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Applicants must satisfy strict eligibility criteria relating to residency, immigration status, good character, and knowledge of English and life in the UK.

Naturalisation: The legal process under Section 6 of the British Nationality Act 1981 through which eligible foreign nationals acquire British citizenship. Successful applicants gain full citizenship rights including the right to vote, hold a British passport, and live permanently in the UK without immigration restrictions.

The path to British citizenship typically begins with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status. Once you hold ILR, you must wait 12 months before applying for naturalisation. The requirements differ slightly depending on whether you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen.

Key Information British citizenship through naturalisation is not automatic. It is granted at the Home Secretary's discretion, and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee approval. The total cost including fees and ceremony is £1,735 as of April 2025, with processing taking approximately 6 months.

Eligibility Criteria for British Citizenship Through Naturalisation

Quick Answer

To meet UK naturalisation requirements, you must be 18 or over, hold ILR or settled status, have lived in the UK for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a British citizen), pass the Life in the UK test, meet English language requirements, and be of good character.

The UK naturalisation requirements differ based on your circumstances. The two main routes are under Section 6(1) for general applicants and Section 6(2) for spouses or civil partners of British citizens.

Section 6(1) Requirements – General Applicants

Age: Must be 18 years or older at the time of application
Immigration status: Must hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or permanent residence
Residency period: Must have lived in the UK for at least 5 years before the application date
ILR held for 12 months: Must have held ILR or equivalent for at least 12 months
Good character: Must satisfy the good character requirement
Knowledge of English: Must demonstrate English language ability at B1 level or above
Life in the UK test: Must pass the Life in the UK test
Future intentions: Must intend to continue living in the UK or working overseas for a UK employer or international organisation

Section 6(2) Requirements – Spouse or Civil Partner of British Citizen

Age: Must be 18 years or older
Immigration status: Must hold ILR, settled status, or permanent residence
Residency period: Must have lived in the UK for at least 3 years (reduced from 5 years)
Marriage requirement: Must be married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen at the time of application
No ILR waiting period: Can apply immediately upon receiving ILR (no 12-month wait required)
Good character, English, and Life in UK test: Same requirements as Section 6(1)

Requirement	Section 6(1) General	Section 6(2) Spouse/Partner
UK Residency	5 years	3 years
ILR Waiting Period	12 months after ILR	Immediately after ILR
Max Absences (5 years)	450 days	270 days (3 years)
Max Absences (Last 12 months)	90 days	90 days
Good Character	Required	Required
Life in the UK Test	Required	Required

Residency and Continuous Residence Requirements

Quick Answer

The continuous residence requirement for UK naturalisation allows maximum absences of 450 days over 5 years (or 270 days over 3 years for spouses) and no more than 90 days in the 12 months before application. Exceeding these limits may result in refusal unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Meeting the residency requirements is crucial for UK naturalisation. The Home Office carefully calculates your time spent in the UK and any periods of absence. Time spent in the UK before obtaining ILR counts toward the 5-year (or 3-year) residency requirement.

Continuous Residence: A legal requirement that applicants demonstrate they have made the UK their home by limiting time spent abroad. This is measured by counting days absent from the UK over the qualifying residency period and the 12 months immediately before the application.

Absence Limits Explained

5-year route (Section 6(1)): No more than 450 days absent over 5 years, and no more than 90 days absent in the final 12 months
3-year route (Section 6(2)): No more than 270 days absent over 3 years, and no more than 90 days absent in the final 12 months
How days are counted: Both departure and arrival days count as days in the UK, not as absences
Crown service: Time spent abroad on Crown service does not count as absence

Critical: Excess Absences If you have exceeded the absence limits, you may still be able to apply if you can demonstrate exceptional circumstances such as serious illness, bereavement, or unavoidable work commitments. The Home Office considers these on a case-by-case basis, and there is no guarantee of approval.

Good Character Requirement for UK Naturalisation

Quick Answer

The good character requirement assesses criminal history, immigration violations, financial responsibility, and general conduct. Factors that may result in refusal include unspent criminal convictions, deception in immigration applications, tax evasion, and involvement in activities contrary to UK interests.

The good character requirement is a discretionary assessment applied to all naturalisation applications. The Home Office good character guidance sets out the criteria used to assess whether an applicant meets this requirement.

Factors That May Lead to Refusal

Criminal convictions: Unspent convictions, especially custodial sentences of 4+ years (permanent bar) or 12 months to 4 years (10-year wait)
Immigration offences: Deception, overstaying, breaching visa conditions, or illegal entry
Financial irresponsibility: Tax evasion, deliberate non-payment of debts, or bankruptcy in certain circumstances
Notoriety: Activities that have brought the applicant to negative public attention
Dishonesty: Providing false information in the application or previous applications
War crimes or terrorism: Involvement or suspected involvement in such activities

Critical: February 2025 Policy Change on Irregular Entry From 10 February 2025, individuals who entered the UK irregularly (such as via small boats or hidden in vehicles) will normally be refused British citizenship on good character grounds. This applies regardless of how much time has passed since the irregular entry.

Criminal Conviction Waiting Periods

Sentence	Waiting Period
4 years or more imprisonment	Permanent bar – cannot naturalise
12 months to under 4 years	10 years from end of sentence
Under 12 months imprisonment	3 years from end of sentence
Non-custodial sentence	3 years from date of conviction

How to Apply for UK Naturalisation

Quick Answer

Apply for UK naturalisation online via gov.uk using form AN. You must provide identity documents, proof of residence, Life in the UK test pass certificate, English language evidence, and two referees. Biometrics are collected at a UKVCAS appointment. Processing takes approximately 6 months.

The naturalisation application process involves several stages from initial submission through to attending your citizenship ceremony. Understanding each step helps ensure a smooth application.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1 – Check eligibility: Confirm you meet all UK naturalisation requirements including residency periods and absence limits
Step 2 – Pass the Life in the UK test: Book and pass the test at an approved centre (£50 fee)
Step 3 – Prepare documents: Gather passport, BRP, proof of residence, Life in the UK pass certificate, and English evidence
Step 4 – Find two referees: Referees must be British citizens who have known you for 3+ years and meet professional requirements
Step 5 – Complete Form AN online: Apply through the gov.uk website
Step 6 – Pay the fee: £1,605 application fee (April 2025 rate)
Step 7 – Attend biometrics appointment: Provide fingerprints and photograph at a UKVCAS centre
Step 8 – Await decision: Processing takes approximately 6 months
Step 9 – Attend citizenship ceremony: Upon approval, book and attend ceremony within 3 months (£130 fee)

Required Documents

Current passport: And any previous passports showing travel history
Biometric Residence Permit (BRP): Showing ILR or settled status
Life in the UK test pass: Original pass notification letter
English language evidence: Degree taught in English, or approved English test certificate
Proof of address: Utility bills, bank statements, or council tax bills covering the residency period
Referee declarations: Completed referee forms from two eligible British citizens

Naturalisation Fees and Processing Times 2026

Quick Answer

The total cost for UK naturalisation is £1,735 (comprising £1,605 application fee plus £130 ceremony fee). Processing time is approximately 6 months, though straightforward cases may be decided within 3-4 months. There is no priority or fast-track service available for citizenship applications.

Fee Type	Amount (April 2025)
Adult Naturalisation (Form AN)	£1,605
Citizenship Ceremony	£130
Total Cost	£1,735
Child Registration (under 18)	£1,214
Life in the UK Test	£50

Processing Times

The Home Office service standard for naturalisation applications is 6 months. However, actual processing times vary:

Straightforward applications: 3-4 months in some cases
Standard processing: Approximately 6 months (Home Office target)
Complex cases: Up to 12 months or longer if additional checks required
Priority service: Not available for citizenship applications

No Fast-Track Option Unlike visa applications, there is no priority or super priority service for British citizenship applications. All applications are processed in order of receipt, though straightforward cases without complications may be decided more quickly.

Common Reasons for Naturalisation Refusal

Quick Answer

Naturalisation applications are commonly refused for exceeding absence limits, failing the good character requirement, criminal convictions, immigration violations such as deception or overstaying, incomplete documentation, or failing to meet English language or Life in the UK test requirements.

Understanding why applications fail helps you prepare a stronger case. Unlike visa refusals, citizenship refusals do not carry a right of appeal in most cases, making it essential to get your application right the first time.

Top Reasons for Refusal

Excessive absences: Spending too many days outside the UK during the qualifying period
Good character failures: Criminal convictions, tax issues, or deception
Irregular entry: Entering the UK illegally (from February 2025, this is normally a bar to citizenship)
Immigration violations: Previous overstaying, working without permission, or breaching conditions
Missing Life in the UK test: Not passing the test before application
English language failure: Not providing acceptable evidence of English at B1 level
Incomplete application: Missing documents or referee declarations

What to Do If Refused

If your naturalisation application is refused, you have limited options:

Request for reconsideration: Ask the Home Office to review their decision if you believe an error was made
Fresh application: Reapply after addressing the reasons for refusal (new fee required)
Judicial review: Challenge the decision in court if it was unlawful (time-limited)

Key Takeaways

UK naturalisation requirements include 5 years' residency (3 years for spouses of British citizens)
Maximum absences are 450 days over 5 years and 90 days in the final 12 months
Total cost is £1,735 (£1,605 application + £130 ceremony) as of April 2025
Processing takes approximately 6 months with no priority service available
From February 2025, irregular entry normally bars citizenship on good character grounds

Frequently Asked Questions About UK Naturalisation Requirements

What are the basic UK naturalisation requirements?

The basic UK naturalisation requirements are: being 18 or over, holding ILR or settled status, living in the UK for 5 years (or 3 years if married to a British citizen), meeting continuous residence requirements, being of good character, passing the Life in the UK test, and demonstrating English language ability at B1 level or above.

How long does UK naturalisation take?

UK naturalisation processing takes approximately 6 months from application submission to decision. Straightforward cases may be decided in 3-4 months, while complex cases requiring additional checks can take up to 12 months. There is no priority or fast-track service available for citizenship applications.

How much does UK naturalisation cost in 2026?

The total cost for UK naturalisation is £1,735 as of April 2025. This comprises the application fee of £1,605 and the citizenship ceremony fee of £130. Additional costs include the Life in the UK test (£50) and any English language tests if required. The application fee is non-refundable even if refused.

How many days can I be absent from the UK for naturalisation?

For the 5-year route, you can be absent a maximum of 450 days over the 5-year period and no more than 90 days in the 12 months before application. For the 3-year spousal route, the limit is 270 days over 3 years and 90 days in the final year. Exceeding these limits may result in refusal unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Can I apply for naturalisation immediately after getting ILR?

If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you can apply for naturalisation immediately after receiving ILR (Section 6(2) route). If you are not married to a British citizen, you must wait 12 months after obtaining ILR before applying under Section 6(1). Both routes require meeting all other eligibility criteria.

What is the good character requirement for British citizenship?

The good character requirement assesses your criminal record, immigration history, financial responsibility, and general conduct. Factors that may lead to refusal include unspent criminal convictions, deception in immigration matters, tax evasion, and from February 2025, irregular entry to the UK. A sentence of 4+ years results in a permanent bar to citizenship.

Do I need to give up my current nationality?

The UK allows dual nationality, so becoming a British citizen does not require you to give up your existing citizenship. However, some countries do not permit dual nationality, so you should check with your country of origin whether acquiring British citizenship would affect your current nationality status.

Can my children become British citizens if I naturalise?

Children under 18 can be registered as British citizens if one parent is already a British citizen. The registration fee is £1,214 per child. Children born in the UK after their parent becomes British may automatically be British citizens. The process and eligibility depend on when and where the child was born and the parents' immigration status.