Adult Naturalisation | The Application for Naturalisation

Do I need to apply for a British passport?

We frequently assist individuals and families who have been living legally in the UK for a period exceeding 5 years (or 3 years if you are the spouse of a British National) with their applications for naturalisation – i.e. applications for a British Passport.
There is no obligation for any UK resident to apply for a British passport, but many people wish to, as they have made the UK their home and wish for their nationality to reflect this fact.

It is important to emphasise that unlike in other areas of immigration law, British Nationality is not a ‘right’ nor an ‘entitlement’, but a matter of law which can be granted or refused at the Home Secretary’s discretion. The application form asks you to satisfy certain criteria, however it is for the Home Secretary to decide whether this criteria can be bypassed in certain situations.

How to make an application for naturalisation as an adult?

In order to apply for a British passport, you must be able to prove that you are free of immigration time restrictions. This means that you must have either Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK (non–EEA nationals) or Permanent Residence (EEA Nationals). If you are not the spouse of a British citizen, you must also prove that you have been free of those restrictions for the past 12 months. This means that if you were granted ILR, you must have been granted it at least 12 months ago, and if you are an EEA National, you must have completed your continuous period of 5 years at least 12 months ago.
The application also requires you to meet certain residency and absences requirements. The other criteria to be satisfied are, namely, that you are over the age of 18, that you are of sound mind, that you intend to continue to live in the UK, that you can prove that you can communicate in English to an acceptable degree, that you have passed a test called ‘The Life in the UK’ test, and that you are of good character.
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As suggested above, the Home Secretary is able to use his/her discretion as to whether an applicant is to be granted British Nationality, regardless of whether he/she meets the specified criteria. Vincent and his team will assist you to calculate your number of absences, mitigate against any excessive absences where relevant, collate the necessary documentation and put together a comprehensive application for naturalisation.

What documents do I need to make an application for naturalisation as an adult?

The documents that you must send to the Home Office to apply successfully for British nationality are:

1. Evidence of your identity. 
2. Your biometric residence card.
3. Proof of English language and knowledge of Life in the UK test. You do not have to provide evidence of the English language requirements if you have obtained an academic qualification which is the equivalent to a UK Bachelor or Masters Degree or PhD or if you are a national of a majority English speaking country or you have an exemption from knowledge of language and life in the UK requirement, for example if you are aged 65 or over, or have a long term physical or mental condition.
4. Travel details of any periods of absence that you spent outside the UK for the qualifying period. 
5. Proof showing that you are free from UK immigration restrictions. 
6. If you are a European national, evidence that you complied with the requirements of the EA Regulations, for example that you exercised treaty rights for five years as a worker, or that you held comprehensive sickness insurance as a student.  If you have a permanent residence card please include it. It is different from a registration certificate or residence card. If you do not have a permanent residence card and you are an EU national, evidence that you were granted Indefinite Leave to Remain under the EU Settlement Scheme. 

What is the British Citizenship Ceremony?

In order to finalise the process of becoming a British national you need to attend a Citizenship Ceremony.  Usually you must attend the Citizenship Ceremony within three months of receiving the invitation from the Home Office, however, because of Coronavirus, this time has been extended. 

Your local Council will organise your Citizenship Ceremony and it is usually done in groups, but you can ask for a private ceremony if you prefer.  The Ceremony costs £80 to attend a group ceremony and you will have to make an oath of allegiance and a pledge. This means that you promise to respect the rights and freedoms and laws of the UK.  At the end of the ceremony you will be presented with your Certificate of British Citizenship and a welcome pack. 

Is Dual Citizenship allowed in the UK?

In order to become a British national, you do not need to renounce your previous nationality(ies) and dual citizenship is always allowed in the UK.  However, please be aware that each country has its own rules relating to dual nationality and therefore it is essential to check with the Embassy, if you can be a dual national.