British Citizenship by Naturalisation with UK Immigration Pathways

Most applications are processed within 3 to 6 months, but times can vary depending on Home Office caseloads and whether additional information is requested.

No, they will need to make their own application.

Yes you can. You can have absences from the UK while applying for citizenship.

Whether you’re married to a British citizen or not will affect how many absences from the UK you can have:

• If married to a British Citizen, your total absences must be 270 days max over 3 years, and no more than 90 days in the final 12 months.

• If not married to a British Citizen, your total absences must be 450 days max over 5 years, and no more than 90 days in the final 12 months.

The Home Office may use discretion to accept extra absences if you have strong reasons (work, caring responsibilities, etc.), but that’s not guaranteed.

Note: If you’re married to a British citizen you’ll need to be able to prove you were in the UK 3 years ago to the date of your application.

To be granted British citizenship, applicants must meet the good character requirement, meaning they must have shown respect for the law and lived responsibly in the UK. The Home Office will review an applicant’s criminal history, immigration record, financial conduct, and honesty in all dealings with UK authorities, this includes:

• any criminal convictions

• civil judgments

• unpaid taxes

• bankruptcy

• breaches of immigration laws such as overstaying a visa

When apply for naturalisation the applicant will need to demonstrate that a certain level of English is met, and this can be done in one of the following ways;

1. Passing an English language test, provided by an approved testing centre of a level of B1, B2, C1 or C2 in speaking and writing.

2. Having academic qualifications of at least degree level that was taught in English

Exceptions are available for applicants who are aged over 65, have physical or mental health conditions that prevent them from meeting the requirements or the applicant is a national of an English-speaking country.

You will need to pass a life in the UK test, and this must be sat at an approved test centre, and this test is designed to ensure that the applicant has a good understanding of British culture, history, tradition and values.

Exemptions again are made for persons over the age of 65 or have physical or mental health conditions that prevent them from completing the test.

Failing to comply with immigration requirements within the 10 years before the date of decision will normally be a reason to refuse an application for British citizenship on the grounds of not meeting the good character requirement.

An immigration breach is where a person has failed to comply with immigration requirements, for example:

• failing to comply with conditions attached to a grant of permission to enter or stay in the UK

• accessing public funds when prohibited from doing so

• failing to report without reasonable excuse, when required to do so

• assisting illegal immigration

• working in the UK without permission to do so (illegal working)

• hiring illegal workers

Arriving without a required valid entry clearance or electronic travel authorisation, having made a dangerous journey

A person who applies for citizenship from 10 February 2025 who has previously arrived without a required valid entry clearance or electronic travel authorisation, having made a dangerous journey will normally be refused citizenship.

A dangerous journey includes, but is not limited to, travelling by small boat or concealed in a vehicle or other conveyance. It does not include, for example, arrival as a passenger with a commercial airline.