TRW & Co · UK immigration
British Citizenship by Naturalisation: How to Apply
A British citizenship application by naturalisation is usually possible after five years in the UK and 12 months with indefinite leave to remain, or sooner for spouses of British citizens. You must meet absence limits, pass the Life in the UK test, prove English and show good character. This guide explains each requirement, the discretion, fees and dual nationality.
Key pointExcess absences are not always fatal: the Home Office normally disregards up to 480 days on the five-year route, and up to 900 where your home, family and estate are in the UK. Undisclosed penalties and illegal entry are far more dangerous.
At a glance
Five years plus twelve
Most adults need five years' residence and 12 months with ILR or settled status; spouses of British citizens need three years and can apply once settled.
Absence limits
The normal limits are 450 days in five years and 90 days in the final year, with defined discretion for longer absences in special circumstances.
Fee and timing
GOV.UK lists £1,839 including the £130 ceremony fee, with most decisions within six months and a priority service usually within 30 working days.
Good character
Applications made after 10 February 2025 that involve illegal entry will normally be refused, however long ago the entry took place.
Dual nationality
UK law allows dual citizenship; GOV.UK says Bangladesh recognises dual citizenship for UK citizens of Bangladeshi origin, but other countries may not.
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The short answer: when you can make a British citizenship application
Most adults can make a British citizenship application by naturalisation once they have lived in the UK for five years and held indefinite leave to remain (ILR), or settled status, for 12 months. Spouses and civil partners of British citizens need three years' residence and can apply as soon as they hold ILR. Every applicant must also meet absence limits, pass the Life in the UK test, prove English and be of good character.
As of October 2026, GOV.UK lists the fee at £1,839, made up of £1,709 for the application and £130 for the citizenship ceremony. Decisions usually take up to six months. Naturalisation is discretionary: the Home Secretary may grant it if the requirements are met, but it is not an automatic entitlement.
The government has said citizenship reform will follow its settlement reforms, but any change to the qualifying rules would need primary legislation. None had been enacted by October 2026.
The legal framework
Naturalisation is governed by the British Nationality Act 1981. Section 6(1) covers the general route; section 6(2) covers applicants married to, or in a civil partnership with, a British citizen. In both cases the Home Secretary must be satisfied that the requirements in Schedule 1 are met and "may, if he thinks fit" grant a certificate of naturalisation.
The Home Office's Form AN guidance, updated in July 2026, summarises the requirements and explains where discretion can be used. It notes that the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 made the lawful residence requirement easier to demonstrate. The good character caseworker guidance, last updated on 30 April 2026, sets out how character is assessed.
Citizenship applications are decided by UK Visas and Immigration. Nationality law applies across the UK, and applicants in the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and overseas territories apply through separate arrangements.
Residence requirements and permitted absences
Under the general route, you must have been in the UK on the day exactly five years before the Home Office receives your British citizenship application, and you should not have been outside the UK for more than 450 days in those five years or more than 90 days in the final 12 months. The spouse route uses three years, 270 days and 90 days. You must not have been in breach of immigration laws during the period.
| Measure | 5-year route, s.6(1) | 3-year route, s.6(2) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal limit in the qualifying period | 450 days | 270 days |
| Normally disregarded | Up to 480 days | Up to 300 days |
| Disregarded only with home, family and substantial estate in the UK | Up to 900 days, with longer prior residence expected above 730 | Up to 540 days, with longer prior residence expected above 450 |
| Final 12 months | 90 days normal; up to 100 normally disregarded | Same as the 5-year route |
The guidance says absences above 900 days (540 on the spouse route) would be disregarded only very rarely, and that absences above 180 days in the final year would be overlooked only in the most exceptional circumstances. It lists reasons that can justify excess absences, including Crown service postings, work that unavoidably requires travel, and compelling occupational or compassionate reasons.
Timing after indefinite leave to remain
For most applicants, the earliest date is the later of two points: five years' residence and 12 months with ILR, settled status or indefinite leave to enter. GOV.UK states that spouses of British citizens do not need to wait 12 months after ILR. Our guide to indefinite leave to remain explains how to reach that first step.
The "exactly five years" rule catches people out. GOV.UK's example shows that someone who was abroad on the day five years before the Home Office receives the application will not qualify and must wait until the first day of a period in which they were present. Online applications are received on the same day; postal applications take longer.
Plan the British citizenship application at the same time as your ILR application, because travel in the intervening year counts towards the final-year absence limit. Your immigration status must also remain valid. The Form AN guidance states that a nationality application does not give any immigration status while it is pending, so ILR holders should not let it lapse through long absences, and anyone with time-limited permission must keep it valid until after the ceremony.
English and Life in the UK requirements
Applicants must prove knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic and pass the Life in the UK test. GOV.UK accepts an English qualification at B1, B2, C1 or C2, or a degree taught or researched in English. A Life in the UK pass from your settlement application can be reused.
If you still need to take the test, GOV.UK states that it costs £50, must be booked online at least three days in advance, and consists of 24 questions on British traditions and customs, to be answered in 45 minutes. You must score 75% or more. Questions are drawn only from the official handbook, so study that rather than unofficial material. Keep the unique reference number you receive, because the Home Office uses it to confirm your pass.
Exemptions apply to people aged 65 or over and to those unable to meet the requirement because of a long-term physical or mental condition, with medical evidence. Nationals of listed majority English-speaking countries do not need to prove English. GOV.UK states that if you were exempt at settlement, you must submit an exemption form again for citizenship.
A British citizenship application will be refused if the wrong English qualification is sent. Check that your test certificate is on the approved list and still valid for nationality purposes, or that your degree has been confirmed by Ecctis where it was awarded outside the UK.
The good character requirement
Schedule 1 requires applicants to be of good character. The Form AN guidance says this means observing UK laws and respecting the rights and freedoms of others. Caseworkers consider criminality, financial soundness, honesty in dealings with government, immigration history and other conduct, and they may check with HM Revenue and Customs and other departments.
Two recent changes are significant. First, applications made after 10 February 2025 that involve illegal entry will normally be refused, however long ago the entry occurred. Second, the guidance states that refusal will normally follow where the applicant previously arrived without a required entry clearance or electronic travel authorisation after a dangerous journey, such as by small boat. Account is taken of whether the illegal entry was outside the person's control, for example as a child or a victim of trafficking.
Honesty is critical. The guidance warns that citizenship obtained on the basis of false or fraudulent information can be taken away through deprivation, and that knowingly making a false declaration is a criminal offence.
The application process, step by step
- Confirm eligibility. Check the five-year (or three-year) start date, count absences, and confirm 12 months with ILR unless married to a British citizen.
- Gather evidence. Collect proof of residence, your ILR or eVisa, English evidence and your Life in the UK test reference number.
- Arrange two referees. The Form AN guidance requires one professional person of any nationality and one British passport holder who is a professional or over 25. Each must have known you for three years and not be related to you or to each other.
- Apply online and pay. Pay £1,839, upload documents or have them scanned, and book a biometrics appointment.
- Wait for a decision. GOV.UK says most decisions are made within six months. The guidance describes a priority service that usually delivers a decision within 30 working days, subject to checks.
- Attend the ceremony. Adults must arrange and attend a citizenship ceremony within 90 days of the invitation. GOV.UK says you receive your certificate of British citizenship at the end of the ceremony; missing it without good reason leads to refusal.
- Apply for a passport. You cannot use your certificate of naturalisation to travel, so apply for a British passport or a certificate of entitlement afterwards.
Documents to prepare
A complete British citizenship application usually includes:
- Your current passport and evidence of your immigration status, such as an eVisa share code or other proof of ILR or settled status.
- Your English qualification or exemption evidence, and your Life in the UK test reference number.
- Details of every absence from the UK in the qualifying period, built from your own records such as boarding passes and emails; GOV.UK says the Home Office will check its records and fill gaps.
- For the spouse route, your marriage or civil partnership certificate and evidence that your partner is a British citizen.
- Documents relating to any conviction, caution, penalty or immigration issue you are disclosing.
- The declarations from your two referees.
Documents not in English or Welsh should be accompanied by certified translations. Consistent names and dates across documents avoid avoidable enquiries.
Dual nationality, children and cross-border points
GOV.UK states that dual citizenship is allowed in the UK, so a British citizenship application does not require you to give up another nationality under UK law. Whether your other country allows you to keep its nationality is a matter for that country's law. GOV.UK's guidance on living in Bangladesh states that Bangladesh recognises dual citizenship for UK citizens of Bangladeshi origin; our article on dual nationality for British Bangladeshis explains the practical steps, including passports and documents.
Some countries treat naturalisation abroad as automatic loss of nationality, which can affect property, inheritance and residence rights there. Check before applying, especially if you hold land or expect to inherit abroad. Our Bangladeshi nationals immigration team works with colleagues in Dhaka on these questions.
Children are treated separately. GOV.UK states that a child born in the UK after a parent was granted ILR may automatically be British. Children born abroad, or born in the UK before the parent's ILR, can be registered rather than naturalised; GOV.UK lists the fee as £1,000 per child.
An illustrative scenario
This example is illustrative only; the parties are fictional.
A senior accountant from Bangladesh received ILR on the Skilled Worker route and, a year later, plans her British citizenship application. Her husband, a British citizen, could apply sooner on the spouse route, but she qualifies under the general route anyway.
Her travel records show 470 days abroad in the five-year period, mostly on audit assignments in Dubai and Singapore. Because that is above the 450-day normal limit but within the 480 days normally disregarded, and she meets all other requirements, she explains the absences with an employer letter. She also confirms she was in the UK on the first day of the qualifying period.
She had a speeding fine three years earlier and discloses it, with proof of payment. She checks that Bangladesh's rules allow her to keep her Bangladeshi nationality and plans to apply for a British passport after her ceremony. The application is well prepared, but the decision remains discretionary.
Risks, common mistakes and next steps
Applying a day too early
If you were outside the UK on the day exactly five years (or three years) before the Home Office receives the application, it may be rejected, and the fee is not fully refunded. The same applies if you have not yet held ILR for 12 months on the general route.
Count backwards from the planned submission date using travel records, and leave a margin.
Not disclosing minor offences or penalties
The form asks about convictions, cautions, civil penalties and other matters, wherever and whenever they occurred. Applicants often omit fixed penalty notices, old cautions or overseas matters. Non-disclosure can lead to refusal for dishonesty even where the underlying matter would not have caused a problem.
Disclose everything, with documents showing the outcome. If unsure, say so and explain.
Losing status while the application is pending
A nationality application does not extend or protect immigration status. Someone relying on time-limited permission, or an ILR holder who has been away for long periods, can be left without status if the application is refused or delayed.
Keep permission valid until after the ceremony and avoid long absences until citizenship is granted.
Assuming another country will let you keep its nationality
UK law allows dual nationality, but many countries do not, or require registration. Loss of the other nationality can affect land ownership, inheritance and family matters there.
Check the other country’s rules and, where assets are involved, take advice in that country before your ceremony.
Checklist
- Confirm your route (five-year or spouse) and your earliest eligible date.
- Count absences in the full period and in the final 12 months.
- Check English and Life in the UK evidence.
- List every conviction, caution, penalty and immigration issue for disclosure.
- Arrange two eligible referees.
- Check the effect on any other nationality you hold.
TRW & Co's London office is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Our immigration solicitors prepare British citizenship applications, review good character issues and advise on discretion over absences. For spouses, see our spouse visa guide. No adviser can guarantee a discretionary decision, but careful preparation reduces the risk of refusal. Contact us at info@trw.co or +880 1779 127165.
Frequently asked questions
01When can I apply for British citizenship after getting ILR?
On the general route, GOV.UK says you can apply once you have lived in the UK for five years and held indefinite leave to remain, settled status or indefinite leave to enter for 12 months. If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you need three years' residence and can apply as soon as you have ILR. In both cases you must have been in the UK on the day exactly five (or three) years before the Home Office receives your application.
02How many days can I be outside the UK for a citizenship application?
The normal limits are 450 days in the five-year period and 90 days in the final 12 months, or 270 and 90 on the spouse route. The Form AN guidance says up to 480 days (300 on the spouse route) are normally disregarded, and up to 900 days (540) may be disregarded if your home, family and a substantial part of your estate are in the UK. Absences over 180 days in the final year are overlooked only in exceptional cases.
03How much does a British citizenship application cost?
GOV.UK lists the cost for an adult naturalising with ILR as £1,839, made up of £1,709 for the application and £130 for the citizenship ceremony. Registering a child costs £1,000, and a fee waiver may be available for children under 18. The Life in the UK test costs £50 if you have not already passed it. There is no fee for providing biometric information. Fees are usually reviewed each April, so check GOV.UK when you apply.
04What English level do I need for British citizenship?
GOV.UK accepts an English qualification at B1, B2, C1 or C2 level on the approved list, or a degree taught or researched in English, confirmed by Ecctis if awarded outside the UK. You are exempt if you are 65 or over, have a long-term physical or mental condition that prevents you meeting the requirement, or are a national of a listed majority English-speaking country. You must also pass the Life in the UK test unless exempt.
05Will a criminal record or fine stop me becoming British?
It depends on the offence, sentence and how long ago it occurred. The good character guidance sets out how criminality is assessed, and some sentences lead to refusal for long periods. The Form AN guidance says fixed penalty notices, such as speeding or parking tickets, must be disclosed but will not normally be taken into account unless unpaid and prosecuted, or several were received in a short time. Failing to disclose is often more damaging than the matter itself, because it can lead to refusal for dishonesty. Take advice before applying if you have any record.
06Do I have to give up my other nationality to become British?
Not under UK law: GOV.UK states that dual citizenship is allowed. Whether you keep your other nationality depends on that country's law. GOV.UK's guidance on living in Bangladesh says Bangladesh recognises dual citizenship for UK citizens of Bangladeshi origin, but other countries may treat naturalisation abroad as automatic loss of nationality. Check with the relevant embassy or high commission before you apply, particularly if you own property abroad.
Sources and official materials
- GOV.UK: Apply for citizenship with ILR or settled status — Residence, absences, fees and timing
- GOV.UK: Apply for citizenship if your spouse is British — Three-year spouse route
- Home Office: Form AN guidance — Requirements, discretion, referees and ceremony
- Home Office: Good character caseworker guidance — How good character is assessed
- British Nationality Act 1981, section 6 — Statutory basis for naturalisation
- GOV.UK: Life in the UK Test — Format, booking and exemptions
- GOV.UK: Dual citizenship — UK position on dual nationality
General information only, current as at 21 October 2026. It is not legal advice and does not create a solicitor–client relationship. It reflects the law of England and Wales unless stated otherwise; Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate legal systems, and the law changes frequently. Check current official sources and take advice on the facts of your matter.