How to apply for British citizenship by naturalisation

British citizenship applications reach a record high

Recent figures show a significant increase in applications for British citizenship. According to Home Office data analysed by the Migration Observatory, just over 315,000 people applied for British citizenship in the year ending June 2026 – the highest number on record and 17% higher than the previous year.

The increase partly reflects higher levels of migration in earlier years, with more people subsequently reaching the point at which they may be eligible to apply for British citizenship, as well as a gradual increase in the proportion of eligible migrants choosing to become British citizens.

For those who may now be eligible, it is important to check the naturalisation requirements carefully before submitting an application. Holding Indefinite Leave to Remain (“ILR”) or settled status does not, by itself, mean that all the requirements for British citizenship are satisfied. Applicants should consider their residence and absence history, physical presence in the UK at the beginning of the relevant qualifying period, the good character requirement and the applicable English language and Life in the UK requirements.

How to apply for British citizenship by naturalisation

Becoming a British citizen is often considered the final step and end goal for many foreign nationals residing in the UK. In order to become a British citizen, those who have been granted ILR in the UK must apply for naturalisation as a British citizen.

Requirements to naturalise as a British citizen

There are two routes by which you can naturalise, and the applicable route will depend on whether you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen.

If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen when you are granted ILR, you may apply for naturalisation immediately following the grant of ILR. You will also be required to prove that you have resided in the UK for the last three years with no more than 270 days of absences from the UK during that period and that you were present in the UK exactly three years prior to the date of your application.

If you are not married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you can only apply for naturalisation after having held ILR for 12 months. You will also need to demonstrate that you have not been absent from the UK for more than 450 days in the last five years, and that you were physically present in the UK exactly five years prior to your application. You must also intend to make the UK your principal home following approval of your naturalisation application.

The rest of the requirements for naturalisation are the same for both routes and are as follows:

• You must not have been absent from the UK for more than 90 days in the last 12 months;
• You must be of good character (the Home Office will take into account any criminal history, civil disputes, immigration breaches and other matters relating to your character);
• You must satisfy the English language requirement and pass the Life in the UK test (this requirement only applies to applicants aged 18 to 65, and exceptions may be made if you suffer from certain health conditions).

Once you have submitted your application, you will be required to attend a biometric appointment. It is important to note that your application will only begin to be processed once you have attended your biometric appointment, not from the date on which the application form was submitted online. The standard processing time for a naturalisation application is six months, although recently we have seen the majority of applications decided within 4-5 months. Should you require a faster decision, the recently published priority service provides a decision within 30 working days. The priority service costs £500, which is in addition to the application fee of £1,839.

What if I do not meet the requirements?

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (SSHD) has the power to exercise discretion when making a decision on naturalisation applications. We are regularly instructed by applicants who in one way or another do not satisfy all the requirements, often due to having too many absences, not being present in the UK at the beginning of their relevant qualifying period or having issues relating to their character, with wider considerations applying than those that arise in normal immigration applications. In these circumstances it is possible to prepare and submit a discretionary application for naturalisation.

Discretionary applications require more evidence than standard applications, and considerable weight is placed on the legal submissions put toward the SSHD. It is therefore strongly advisable to obtain legal advice prior to making a discretionary application.

Gherson Insight

The record number of British citizenship applications highlights the importance of checking eligibility carefully before applying. Naturalisation is not an automatic entitlement, even where an applicant holds ILR or settled status.

Applicants need to carefully consider their residence and absence history, physical presence in the UK at the beginning of the relevant qualifying period and the good character requirement. Where an applicant does not meet all of the standard requirements, the Home Office may exercise discretion in certain circumstances, but such applications require additional evidence and detailed legal submissions.

Applicants with complex immigration histories, excessive absences or potential good character issues may wish to obtain legal advice before submitting their application.

Frequently asked questions

When can I apply for British citizenship after getting ILR?

If you are not married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you will generally need to have held ILR for at least 12 months before applying for British citizenship. If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you can apply as soon as you have been granted ILR, provided you meet the other requirements.

How long do I need to have lived in the UK before applying for British citizenship?

Generally, you need to have lived in the UK for at least five years before applying. If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, the qualifying residence period is three years.

How many days can I spend outside the UK before applying for British citizenship?

Under the five-year route, applicants normally must not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK during the qualifying period. Under the three-year route for spouses or civil partners of British citizens, the usual limit is 270 days. In both cases, applicants normally must not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK during the final 12 months.

Do I need to have been in the UK on a specific date before applying?

Yes. Applicants generally need to have been physically present in the UK at the beginning of their qualifying period – exactly five years before the application date, or three years for those applying as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen.

Can I apply if I have exceeded the permitted absence limits?

Potentially. The Home Office has discretion to disregard excess absences in certain circumstances. Whether discretion may be exercised will depend on the applicant’s individual circumstances and the extent of the absences.

Do I need to pass the Life in the UK Test and meet an English language requirement?

Applicants for naturalisation generally need to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic, and pass the Life in the UK Test, subject to applicable exemptions.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on all UK nationality matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

This article was first published in 2022 and has been updated in September 2026. 

©Gherson 2026