Apply for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain

Apply for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain or 'settled status

Eligibility and fees

You can apply for British citizenship if you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and held ILR, Settled Status, or Indefinite Leave to Enter for 12 months (no wait if married to a British citizen).

You must also:

Be 18 or over
Have been in the UK exactly 5 years before applying
Pass the Life in the UK Test
Prove language skills (English, Welsh, or Scottish Gaelic)
Be of good character
Intend to stay in the UK

Pre-settled status holders may qualify if they’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and met work, study, or self-sufficiency conditions.

Travel & Residency Rules

No more than 450 days outside the UK in 5 years
No more than 90 days in the last year
You may lose ILR or Settled Status if away too long

Fees

£1,735 total (includes £130 for the citizenship ceremony)
Biometrics required (no extra cost)

How to apply

You can apply for British citizenship in two ways:

Apply yourself
Use an agent or representative

Apply Yourself

Apply online or by post
Provide biometric info at a UKVCAS service point
Upload documents online or scan them at your appointment
Must be physically in the UK exactly 5 years before the Home Office receives your application

If you live in the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or a British overseas territory, apply by post or in person.

Need Help?

Support is available if you lack internet access or computer skills (UK only).
This service does not provide legal advice.

Apply Through an Agent

You can hire a registered immigration adviser, solicitor, or barrister.
Check they’re regulated by the OISC, Bar Council, or Law Society.

Apply for your children

You must apply separately to register your child for British citizenship if they were born:

Outside the UK, or
In the UK before you got Indefinite Leave to Remain

Fees

£1,214 per child
£130 for a citizenship ceremony if they turn 18 during the process
You may be eligible for a fee waiver if you cannot afford the fee

When You Don’t Need to Apply

Your child is automatically a British citizen if they were:

Born in the UK, after you got Indefinite Leave to Remain

After You’ve Applied

You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months. If it takes longer, you’ll be informed.

You may be asked for more information or to attend an interview (no interpreter allowed).

If your circumstances change (e.g. address, marriage, arrest), contact:
[email protected]

After You Get Your Certificate

You must return your biometric residence permit (BRP) within 5 working days of receiving your British citizenship certificate, even if the BRP is expired.

Cut the BRP into 4 pieces
Place it in a windowless envelope
Include a note with:
- Your name
- Date of birth
- Document number (on the front of the card)
- Reason: you’ve become a British citizen

Send to:
Naturalisation BRP Returns
PO Box 195
Bristol
BS20 1BT

You may be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t return it in time.

Travelling

Once you have a British passport, you must use it to enter the UK.
If you don’t want a passport, you can apply for a certificate of entitlement instead.

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