You can apply for citizenship if you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and have had one of the following for 12 months:

• indefinite leave to remain in the UK
• ‘settled status’ (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme’)
• indefinite leave to enter the UK (permission to move to the UK permanently from abroad)

You must also:

• be over 18
• prove you were in the UK exactly 5 years before the day the Home Office receives your application
• prove your knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic
• have passed the life in the UK test
• intend to continue living in the UK
• be of good character – read the naturalisation guidance

Residency requirements

You must have lived in the UK for at least 5 years before the date of your application. You also should not have broken any UK immigration laws.

You cannot include any time spent in the UK when you’re exempt from immigration control as a:

• diplomat
• member of a diplomat’s staff or household
• member of visiting armed forces

Time you’ve spent outside the UK

You should not have:

• spent more than 450 days outside the UK during the 5 years before your application
• spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months
• broken any UK immigration laws (for example living illegally in the UK)

You may have lost your indefinite leave to remain or enter if you’ve been away from the UK for:

• more than 2 years at any time since you got it (you’ll need to apply for a Returning Resident visa)
• more than 5 years if you have settled status
• more than 4 years if you are a Swiss citizen, or the family member of a Swiss citizen, and you have settled status

When to apply

You must have been physically present in the UK exactly 5 years before the Home Office receives your application.

Your application may be rejected if you were not in the UK exactly 5 years before the Home Office received it. This depends on the reason why you were not in the UK. The Home Office will consider if there are special circumstances, for example:

• you were not able to live in the UK at the start of the 5 year period because of health reasons or travel restrictions
• you were told to leave the UK during the 5 years but this decision was later overturned

The date the Home Office receives your application depends on how you apply. If you apply online, your application will be received on the same day. It will take longer if you apply by post.

How much it costs

It costs £1,330 to apply.

You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken – there’s no fee for this. You’ll be told how to do this after you’ve applied.

There are 2 ways to apply for British citizenship by naturalisation. You can either:

• make an application yourself
• use an agent or representative

Make an application yourself

Read the guidance to check if you can apply and what documents you need to provide.

It may take longer than the usual 6 months to get a decision because of coronavirus (COVID-19). You’ll get extra time to provide your fingerprints, photo and additional information, and to book a citizenship ceremony. This will not affect the decision.

Fill in the form online.

You’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo).

You do not need to send your documents anywhere. You can either:

• upload copies into the online service
• have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment

You can also apply by post. This will take much longer than applying online because of coronavirus. Avoid applying by post, especially if you need your documents back by a specific date.

If you’re applying from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory

If you live in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory, you have to apply by post or in person instead. Check which you can do with your governor’s office.

You’ll be told where to give your biometric information after you apply.

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

• do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device
• do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

Apply through an agent or representative

An agent or representative is a private company or individual that can help you with your application and give you advice.

Check if an agent or representative is registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC).

You can also use some solicitors or barristers that are not registered with the OISC. The solicitor or barrister must be registered with one of the following organisations instead:

• General Council of the Bar
• Law Society of England and Wales
• Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
• Faculty of Advocates
• Law Society of Scotland
• General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland
• Law Society of Northern Ireland

You must apply separately for your children.

You can apply to ‘register’ your child for citizenship if they were born either:

• outside of the UK
• inside the UK before you were granted indefinite leave to remain

Read the guidance to check you can apply.

How much it costs

It costs £1,012 to apply for each child.

If your child is under 18 and you cannot afford to pay the application fee, you may be able to apply for a fee waiver.

You must also pay £80 for your child’s citizenship ceremony if they turn 18 during the application process.

When you do not need to apply for your child

Your child may automatically be a British citizen if they were born both:

• in the UK
• after you were granted indefinite leave to remain

You can apply for a child’s passport if your child is under 16.

Your child can apply for an adult passport if they’re over 16.

You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months – some applications can take longer.

You’ll be told if you need to provide more information to help with your application.

If your circumstances change

You should contact UK Visas and Immigration (part of the Home Office) if your situation changes during your application (for example, you move house, get married or are arrested).

You might be asked to attend an interview where you’ll need to speak without an interpreter.

Attending a citizenship ceremony

You’ll need to attend a citizenship ceremony if your application is successful.

You must send your biometric residence permit (BRP) back to the Home Office within 5 working days of getting your certificate of British citizenship.

Cut your BRP into 4 pieces and put it in a windowless envelope.

Include a note saying you’re returning your permit because you’ve become a citizen. Include your name, date of birth and the document number (found on the front of the card) in the note.

Travelling to and from the UK

Once you have a British passport you must use this to enter the UK.

If you do not want a British passport you can apply for a certificate of entitlement instead.

You cannot enter the UK using your BRP or certificate of British citizenship.