British citizenship by naturalisation is available to adults who have lived in the UK for a qualifying period, hold Indefinite Leave to Remain or another form of settled status, and meet requirements around good character, continuous residence, and English language. The standard qualifying period is five years of lawful residence, of which the final 12 months must have been spent with ILR or settled status. Different rules apply for spouses and civil partners of British citizens, who generally need three years of lawful residence with 12 months of settled status.
The good character requirement means the Home Office will consider your criminal record, any immigration breaches, and other relevant matters. Absences from the UK are also assessed: you must not have exceeded 450 days outside the UK in the five-year qualifying period and no more than 90 days in the final 12 months. The Life in the UK test must have been passed, and English language must be demonstrated unless you are exempt. The application fee is set by the Home Office and is subject to change, so we recommend confirming the current fee before applying.
NARA Solicitors can advise you on whether you meet the eligibility requirements, help you identify and address any complications such as absences or past immigration history, and prepare your application documents. If you have been refused naturalisation or have concerns about the good character assessment, we can advise on the appropriate next steps.
