UK Naturalisation

Summary

Naturalization (or naturalisation) is the primary route to British citizenship for adults who do not qualify by birth or descent. It is governed by Section 6 of the British Nationality Act 1981, which has two sub-routes:

• Section 6(1) — the standard adult route for people with at least five years of lawful UK residence and twelve months holding Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status.
• Section 6(2) — the spouse or civil partner route for people married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen. The residence requirement drops to three years and there is no 12-month ILR waiting period.

Applications are filed on Form AN with the Home Office. Approval means registering an oath of allegiance at a citizenship ceremony and receiving a certificate, which then supports a passport application.

Eligibility

You may be eligible under Section 6(1) if all of the following are true:

• You are aged 18 or over.
• You hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or Irish citizenship, for at least 12 months before applying.
• You have lived in the UK lawfully for at least 5 years.
• You have spent no more than 450 days outside the UK across those 5 years, and no more than 90 days outside in the final 12 months.
• You pass the Life in the UK test (unless exempt by age because you are 65 or older).
• You meet the language requirement at CEFR level B1 or above in English, Welsh, or Scottish Gaelic (exempt if 65+, if you have a qualifying disability, or if you are a national of a majority-English-speaking country such as the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or Ireland).
• You meet the good character requirement.
• You intend to continue to have your principal home in the UK.

You may be eligible under Section 6(2) if:

• You are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen.
• You hold ILR or settled status (no 12-month waiting period required).
• You have lived in the UK for at least 3 years, with no more than 270 days outside the UK in that period and no more than 90 days outside in the final 12 months.
• You meet the Life in the UK, English language, and good character requirements above.

Common ILR routes

• Skilled Worker visa: 5 years of continuous employment.
• UK Ancestry visa: 5 years.
• Family / Spouse visa: 5 years.
• Global Talent visa: 3 or 5 years depending on endorsement.
• Innovator Founder visa: 3 years.

Most naturalization applicants must first complete the residence period for their visa route, obtain ILR or settled status, and then meet the naturalization residence rules that apply to their situation.

What This Route Allows

If approved, this route can lead to citizenship in the United Kingdom. Citizenship is the national status itself, not a residence permit: you can document the citizenship, apply for citizen identity or passport documents, and live in the United Kingdom without a separate immigration permit.

What This Route Is Not

This is not automatic citizenship. Naturalization, registration, and restoration routes usually require an application, supporting documents, and a decision by the relevant authority.

Next Steps

1. Confirm your ILR or settled status and the date it was granted. Most 6(1) applicants wait for the 12-month anniversary.
2. Count your days out of the UK. Passport stamps and eGate records are the usual evidence. Overshooting 450 days (or 90 in the final year) is the most common reason for refusal.
3. Book the Life in the UK test at a recognised test centre. Fee is £50 and it can be retaken.
4. Meet the language requirement. Most applicants either pass a Secure English Language Test at B1, show a degree taught in English, or rely on their nationality.
5. Gather documents. Biometric residence permit, passport(s) covering your UK time, evidence of employment or other qualifying activity, and two referees who meet the Home Office criteria.
6. Complete Form AN online via gov.uk. The application fee is £1,839 including the citizenship ceremony fee under the current 2025/26 fee table.
7. Attend biometrics enrolment. You will be asked to visit a UKVCAS centre to provide fingerprints and a photo.
8. Attend the citizenship ceremony once approved. You swear the Oath of Allegiance and receive your certificate.
9. Apply for a British passport with the certificate.

Home Office decision timing varies by case and workload.

Sources

• British Nationality Act 1981, Section 6 — the primary statute (naturalization under 6(1) and 6(2)).
• British Nationality Act 1981, Schedule 1 — the qualifying requirements for naturalization.
• Home Office — Naturalisation as a British citizen: caseworker guidance — official caseworker guidance.
• Form AN (Apply for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain or settled status) — application portal and instructions.
• Home Office — Citizenship fees — current nationality application fees.
• Life in the UK test — test booking and study materials.
• Home Office — Knowledge of language and life — caseworker guidance on the English and Life in the UK requirements.
• Home Office — Good character requirement — nationality policy guidance.