British Citizenship Process 2026: Requirements, Documents, Cost and Timeline

What are the British citizenship requirements?

To naturalise as a British citizen you must be 18 or over, be of good character, intend to keep living in the UK, hold indefinite leave to remain or settled status, meet the residence rules, prove English at B1 level and pass the Life in the UK Test. The residence period is 5 years, or 3 years if you are married to a British citizen.

Good character

The Home Office looks at criminal records, immigration history, unpaid taxes or debts to public bodies, and honesty in previous applications. You must declare convictions and cautions, including spent ones in some cases, so read the good character guidance before you apply. Deception is treated far more seriously than an old minor offence that was declared.

English language requirement for British citizenship

You need English at CEFR B1 in speaking and listening, shown by an approved Secure English Language Test such as IELTS Life Skills B1, or a degree taught in English. If you passed a B1 test for indefinite leave to remain, it can normally be reused. You are exempt if you are 65 or over, have a long-term condition that prevents you from meeting it, or are a national of a majority English-speaking country on the GOV.UK list.

How to apply for British citizenship: step by step

Check you meet the residence and absence rules, pass the Life in the UK Test and an approved B1 English test, gather your documents and two referees, then apply online with Form AN and pay £1,839. After you give biometrics, the Home Office decides the application, and if approved you attend a citizenship ceremony to become a British citizen.

1. 1

   Check eligibility

   Count your days outside the UK for the qualifying period and confirm how long you have held ILR or settled status.

2. 2

   Pass the Life in the UK Test

   Book online at least 3 days ahead; the test costs £50 and the pass does not expire. See our Life in the UK Test guide.

3. 3

   Prove your English

   Use an approved B1 test, a degree taught in English, or an exemption.

4. 4

   Choose two referees

   Referees must know you personally and meet the Home Office conditions. Our referee guide explains who qualifies.

5. 5

   Apply online with Form AN

   Complete the naturalisation application on GOV.UK and pay £1,709 plus the £130 ceremony fee.

6. 6

   Give biometrics

   Attend an appointment to have your fingerprints and photo taken. There is no extra fee for this.

7. 7

   Get a decision

   GOV.UK says most applicants get a decision within 6 months. See processing times.

8. 8

   Attend your ceremony

   You become a British citizen at the citizenship ceremony, where you receive your certificate. You can then apply for a British passport.

When can you apply for British citizenship after ILR?

Most people must hold indefinite leave to remain or settled status for 12 months before applying for British citizenship, on top of 5 years living in the UK. If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, there is no 12-month wait: you can apply as soon as you have ILR and 3 years of residence.

Do not let ILR lapse while you wait. Indefinite leave to remain usually lapses if you spend more than 2 years outside the UK, and you would then need a Returning Resident visa. Keep counting absences carefully, because the last 12 months before you apply must include no more than 90 days abroad on both routes.

What documents do you need for British citizenship?

For a naturalisation application you need your passport or travel document, proof of ILR or settled status, evidence of English (B1 test certificate, degree or exemption), your Life in the UK Test reference number, and details of two referees. Depending on your route you may also need your marriage certificate and your spouse's British passport, plus evidence about absences.

How much does British citizenship cost in 2026?

British citizenship by naturalisation costs £1,839 in 2026: a £1,709 application fee and a £130 citizenship ceremony fee. The Home Office fee table from 8 October 2026 leaves both unchanged. You also pay £50 for the Life in the UK Test and the cost of a B1 English test if you have not already passed one.

See our British citizenship fees guide for the costs people often forget, such as passport photos, translations and travel to the biometrics appointment.

How long does it take to get British citizenship after applying?

GOV.UK says most naturalisation applications are decided within 6 months, although some take longer. Online applications are received the same day. After approval you are invited to a citizenship ceremony, and you only become a British citizen once you have attended it and received your certificate.

Allow extra time for preparation before you apply: a Life in the UK Test slot, a B1 English test and referee declarations can take several weeks to arrange. Our processing time guide explains what can slow a decision down.

What are the benefits of British citizenship?

As a British citizen you can live and work in the UK with no immigration time limits, hold a British passport, vote in all UK elections, and stand for public office. Your status cannot lapse if you live abroad for years, and children born abroad to you may be British by descent. The UK also allows dual citizenship.

• Security: no more visa renewals or immigration fees, and no risk of status lapsing after long periods abroad (ILR usually lapses after 2 years outside the UK).
• A British passport: consular help from the UK when travelling outside the other country of nationality you hold.
• Voting and public life: you can vote in UK general elections and stand for election.
• Children: a child born abroad to a British citizen who is British otherwise than by descent is usually British by descent.
• Dual citizenship: GOV.UK says dual citizenship is allowed in the UK, though your other country may not allow it. See British dual citizenship.

Are there any disadvantages?

The main downsides are the cost and the possibility of losing your other nationality if your home country does not allow dual citizenship. When you are in that other country, the UK cannot usually give you diplomatic help. Check your home country's rules with its embassy before you apply.

Can British citizenship be revoked?

Yes, in limited cases. Under section 40 of the British Nationality Act 1981, the Home Secretary can deprive someone of citizenship gained through naturalisation or registration if it was obtained by fraud, false representation or concealing a material fact, or if deprivation is judged conducive to the public good. A public-good order cannot normally leave someone stateless.

For ordinary applicants, the practical lesson is honesty: declare every conviction, caution and immigration issue the form asks about. Citizenship obtained with a misleading application is the case section 40 is designed to catch.

British citizenship process guides