Naturalisation is a procedure for obtaining the nationality of another country. People who are born outside the UK may apply for British citizenship through this process. Applicants must meet certain requirements to qualify for British Citizenship Naturalisation. These conditions include a legal residence in the country, having been in residence for at least five years, and possessing the nationality of a British country. Naturalisation is also referred to as British nationality by the government.
Applying for British Citizenship by Naturalisation
The process of applying for British citizenship by naturalisation is usually the last step for those who wish to permanently settle in the UK. Once granted, a British passport enables the applicant to travel freely and enjoy the same freedoms as a UK citizen. Citizenship is also a passport of privilege, meaning the applicant can enter the UK without the need for a visa. Applicants can also vote in elections and stand for public office. However, to qualify for British citizenship, applicants must have good character and be an upstanding members of the community.
For this purpose, you must meet the ‘good character’ requirement under the British Nationality Act 1981. The Act does not specify the definition of ‘good character’, but the Home Office provides a list of behaviours that will not meet this standard. Amongst these are criminality, terrorism and immigration matters. As with all other aspects of the citizenship process, there are also strict guidelines for good character.
The eligibility requirements for applying for British citizenship by Naturalisation
The eligibility criteria depend on your individual circumstances. If you are not of British descent, you must have lived in the UK for the previous three years and meet the statutory requirements. Then, you need to meet a number of other requirements, including having sufficient English language skills, being of good character, and having lived in the UK for at least 12 months. If you are married to a British citizen, you can apply for naturalisation after he or she has been granted settled status.
Cost of applying for British citizenship by naturalisation
The costs of applying for British citizenship by naturalisation are relatively high, ranging from PS372 to PS380. However, the Home Office keeps all fees under review. In some cases, the fees may be lower if the application is made within a few years. Regardless, the cost of naturalisation will be high enough to put many people off. For more information, check the Home Office’s website.
The costs of applying for British citizenship by naturalisation are largely dependent on the services that the applicant wants to get. The application process itself can cost thousands of pounds. Unfortunately, even if you don’t plan to spend much, a mistake could jeopardise your citizenship and cost you a large amount of money. Hiring an Immigration Solicitors in London will help you ensure the best chance of success and avoid unnecessary expenses.
In order to apply for British citizenship by naturalisation, you must have lived in the UK for at least ninety days out of the last year. This is known as the qualifying period. If you have already had some time outside the UK, you can also apply for British citizenship by naturalisation as a child, although you cannot bring a minor with you. You will also need to provide two references for your application.
The timescale for applying for British citizenship by naturalization
The Timescale for applying for British citizenship by naturalization varies depending on the complexity of the application and the volume of work being done at the Home Office. The processing time does not include travel time while the application is pending. While you are awaiting citizenship, you can leave the country as long as you maintain your original passport. It may take up to six months for an application to be decided. If your application is successful, you will be granted citizenship.
In general, an application is processed within six months, but the timescale may extend if COVID-19 has affected your application. It may take longer for those who left the UK on the 10th of June 2018, but there is no longer a backlog. However, a backlog in 2020 is reducing this delay. In addition, incomplete applications may delay your application. In such cases, you may wish to consider applying for British citizenship by other means.
Before you apply for British citizenship by naturalisation, you must first get settled status. In other words, you must have been a resident of the UK continuously for 12 months before applying for citizenship. This time limit applies to you and your spouse. If you have a partner in the UK, you may reduce the timescale to three years. You will need to submit a certified copy of your passport in order to complete the process.
