How can you apply for British Citizenship through Naturalisation?

Once you have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain you are likely to be eligible to apply for citizenship.  However, the rules are slightly different depending on if you are married to a British Citizen or not.

Married to a British Citizen

If you are married to a British citizen, then you are likely to be eligible to apply for naturalisation as soon as you receive Indefinite Leave to Remain. You would need to meet the following requirements to apply successfully:

• Be over the age of 18.

• Be of sound mind.

• Meet the English Language requirement of level B1 and the Life in the UK test unless you are exempt due to age or illness.

• Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years and during those 3 years not been outside the UK for more then 270 days and not been outside the UK for more than 90 days in the last year. At the date of application, you must also have lived here exactly 3 years ago on the same date.

Not married to a British Citizen

If you are not married to a British citizen, then you will have to wait till a year has passed since you obtained Indefinite Leave to Remain. Most of the requirements for this application are the same as above. However, you must have lived in the UK for 5 years and during those 5 years you must not have been outside the UK for more than 450 days and in the last year for not more than 90 days. Furthermore, you should have been in the UK exactly 5 years before at the date of application.

Should you have any queries in relation to applying for Naturalisation, then please do not hesitate to contact Ami Dhanjee on 020 3384 1981 or email ami.dhanjee@taylor-rose.co.uk