British Citizenship

Unless you are born a British citizen, you will need to apply for British citizenship. There are a number of different ways in which you might qualify for British citizenship. For adults, the most common routes are by completing minimum residence requirements, having the correct immigration status, and, for some, by being married to a British citizen. This is known as Naturalisation as a British citizen which we expand upon below.

Children can apply for British citizenship by registration. We explore the routes in more detail below.

Once granted, British citizenship can only be removed in very limited circumstances. Being British gives you the greatest level of protection over your right of residence in the UK. Whereas indefinite leave to remain can be lost if you stay outside the UK for 2 years, the same rules do not apply to British citizens, you’re a British citizen for life no matter how long you travel outside the UK.

If you’re settled in the UK and have lived here for the relevant qualifying period, you may wish to apply to become a British citizen. You may also wish to register your children as British citizens. The various routes to British citizenship are discussed in the pages below.

The Good Character Requirement is central to all adult applications for British citizenship and those for children over the age of 10. It is essential that you are familiar with this requirement as it is the most common reason for refusal of an application.

British citizenship applications are complicated and represent a major life event. Read about the process below and contact us if you would like the benefits of our personal and professional experience.

• Naturalisation as a British Citizen: If you wish to naturalise as a British citizen, you must hold indefinite leave to remain or settled status, be of good character, and meet certain minimum residence requirements as specified in the British Nationality Act 1981 (“British Nationality Act”).
• Registration as a British Citizen for Children: There are no formal requirements for registration of a child as a British national as all registrations are considered either by entitlement or at the discretion of the Secretary of State.
• Good Character: When assessing an individual’s suitability to naturalise as a British citizen, the Home Office will assess the applicant’s good character.
• British Citizenship Solicitors: Whilst you can apply for British citizenship by yourself, working with a specialist British citizenship solicitor will ensure that you meet the requirements and that evidence is presented properly.