Why apply for British Naturalisation?

• Live in the UK indefinitely
• Apply for a British Passport
• Be a part of UK civic rights 
• Free NHS medical care with British Citizenship
• Work in the UK without any restrictions

What is British Naturalisation?

British Naturalisation is a legal process through which a non-citizen candidate can become a British citizen in the UK. Candidates who get naturalized as British citizens will be eligible for a UK Passport. The naturalized citizens will have the same rights as British citizens by birth. They will have the right to live, work, and receive public funds in the UK.

UK immigration doesn’t restrict Naturalised British citizens. Naturalized British citizens can freely travel in and out of the country at their will for the rest of their life without the need to apply for a visa.

There are different ways a candidate can acquire British citizenship. One of the most common ways for non-citizen candidates to become British citizens is through Naturalisation.

*Want to migrate to the UK? Talk to Y-Axis for complete guidance.

Eligibility to apply for the UK British Naturalisation

• Aged must be 18 years or above
• Have a settled status in the UK for at least 12 consecutive months
• Required to stay in the country for a continuous time period
• Proof of English Language
• Proof of Life in the UK test
• Character certificate for British Naturalisation
• Hold a valid and lawful immigration status during the residency period
• Plans to settle in the UK 

UK Naturalisation Certificate Requirements

• Valid passport
• IELTS certificate
• Proof of life in UK Test
• ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
• Travel documents to prove continuous presence in the country

British Naturalisation Certificate​

A British naturalisation certificate is an important legal document proving your British citizenship. It’s essential to keep it safe and unaltered. Laminating or making unofficial changes to it will render it unacceptable to the Passport Office as proof of citizenship.

Here’s what you need to know about British naturalisation certificates:

Replacement Certificates for British Naturalisation Certificate

If you need a replacement, you can order a certified copy of a British naturalisation certificate issued between 1844 and 1986 from the National Archives.

Returning Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

Once you receive your British Naturalisation Certificate, you must return your biometric residence permit (BRP) to the Home Office within five working days. To do this:

• Cut the BRP into four pieces.
• Place it in a windowless envelope.
• Include a note with your name, date of birth, and the document number from the front of the card.

Failure to return your BRP on time could result in a fine of up to £1,000.

Other Proof of British Citizenship

Apart from the naturalisation certificate, you can also use other documents to prove your British citizenship, such as:

• A British passport.
• A birth certificate.
• A British citizenship ceremony registration certificate.

Benefits of the UK Citizenship

• Can apply for citizenship for children
• Can sponsor relatives
• Right to claim public funds
• Can travel freely with UK Citizenship
• Right to vote in the election
• Access to free healthcare
• Right to live and work and study for indefinitely

 

UK Naturalisation Timeline

UK Naturalisation timeline is the process through which a candidate receives the application. There are different ways for candidates who are not dependent on marriage, civil, or partnership or if they are EU nationals who arrived in the UK after 1 January 2021.

Here is the procedure for UK Naturalisation:

Year 1: Arrival in the UK

Candidates arrived lawfully to the country on a specific date to remain for a certain period—such as under a Skilled Worker visa. That specific date is being considered for UK residency application for future ILR or citizenship.

Year 5: Apply for ILR

Candidates with lawful status who have remained in the UK for five continuous years can become eligible and apply to settle permanently through ILR. Once granted ILR status, candidates must wait twelve months before becoming eligible for Naturalisation.

Year 6: Apply to Naturalise

After living as a permanent resident with ILR for an entire year, candidates can apply for Naturalisation.  

UK Naturalisation for British Citizen’s Spouse

For candidates who are spouse of British citizen, the timeline for applying for UK Naturalisation is as follows:

Year 1: Arrival in UK

The date the candidates arrive in the country with lawful permission under a spouse visa is the exact date that will be considered the official arrival date for UK residency or ILR.

Year 5: Apply for ILR or Naturalisation

After five years, a candidate can apply to settle in the UK indefinitely. They must show that they were living in the UK on the exact date three years before submitting their application. Once the candidate is granted ILR, they can apply immediately for citizenship.

British Citizenship for EU Nationals

EU nationals who arrived in the UK before 31 December 2020 need to have an entire EU settled status and have held this status for five years. Before then, only they will be eligible for British Citizenship.

EU nationals who arrived in the UK under the new points-based immigration system must have obtained lawful status through a relevant visa and can only become eligible for Naturalisation if their visa route allows them.

Spouse visa holders and skilled UK workers are eligible for Naturalisation after residing in the country for five continuous years. Candidates with start-up or visitor visas do not qualify for UK ILR.

Processing Time of the UK Naturalisation

Most British Naturalisation applications are processed within six months. Well-prepared and straightforward applications are processed a little earlier, within 3-4 months, whereas complex applications can take longer than six months. 

Processing fees of the UK Naturalisation

The application fee for UK Naturalisation is £1,500.

 

Steps to apply for British Citizenship

Step 1: Proof of living in the country for five years

Step 2: Pass the Life in the UK Test

Step 3: Submit the requirement

Step 4: Apply for biometric application

Step 5: Wait for the decision

Step 6: Acquire a British citizenship

 

How can Y-Axis help you?

Y-Axis is regarded as the best overseas immigration consultancy that provides immigration services to clients and provides proper guidance to avoid any errors. Y-Axis includes the services of the following:

• Complete guidance on the UK Naturalisation.
• Step-by-step guidance for applying for UK Visas.
• Instruct you on ways to submit relevant financial and health documents.
• Avail Y-Axis job Search Services to look for jobs in the UK
• Improve your English with IELTS coaching services.
• Re-analysing all the crucial work visa-related papers before submission.

Check your eligibility for free to migrate to the UK with the Y-Axis immigration point calculator.

 

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