Becoming a British citizen is an important step for many people from all over the world who dream of living and working in this country with a rich history and culture. There are different ways to obtain citizenship, so it is important to understand the process and requirements. Read more in our article

Great Britain is a country with a high standard of living, quality medicine, a rich culture and a developed education system. It is very comfortable to live, work and rest in this country. Great Britain is traditionally in the top 10 most desirable places to live.

Obtaining British citizenship is the ultimate goal for most expats arriving in the country. You can acquire citizenship in several ways, including by birth, descent, marriage, or naturalization. While ILR can be lost if you spend 2 or more years outside the UK, citizenship cannot be revoked.

 How to get britain citizenship? Detailed instructions follow.

Methods of obtaining British citizenship

Citizens of such countries as India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and the Philippines are most likely to apply for British citizenship. How you get British citizenship will depend on your circumstances and rights. The main ways of obtaining citizenship of the United Kingdom:

• British citizenship through naturalization – it can be obtained by foreigners if they meet a certain number of requirements:

- Age: applicant must be over 18 years old.

- Residence: You must have lived in the UK continuously for at least 3 years prior to the date of application ("qualifying period"). The total number of days of absence in the country should not exceed 270 days.

- Immigration status: the applicant must have lived in the UK on a permanent permit for at least 12 months.

- No criminal record and positive character.

- Language skills: the applicant must pass an English language test.

- Compliance with immigration rules: the foreigner did not violate immigration rules during the entire qualification period.

- Intention to reside: the foreigner must intend to stay in the UK.

You can become a citizen by naturalization if you have lived in the UK for at least 5 years and have had one of the following rights for at least 1 year:

- Permanent residence permit (ILR) in the UK.

- Settlement status according to the EU settlement scheme.

- Perpetual permission to enter the United Kingdom.

• British citizenship by descent – this means that a person born abroad can apply for British citizenship if their father/mother or grandparent had British citizenship.

However, if you are a British citizen by birth, you cannot usually pass your citizenship on to children born outside the UK.

• British citizenship by birth - in Great Britain, a child receives citizenship immediately after birth, if at least one of its parents had a residence permit in the country at the time of the child's birth. However, individuals who were born in Great Britain and lived in this country for the first 10 years of their lives, whose parents were not and are neither permanent residents nor citizens of this country, can apply for registration as a British citizen.

• British citizenship by marriage - a foreigner can apply for UK citizenship based on your relationship, marriage or civil partnership with a British citizen and if you have lived in the country for at least 3 years before applying. The rules also state that you must not be outside the UK for more than 270 days in a 3-year period.

Approximate list of documents for obtaining British citizenship

• Passport or national identity card.
• Confirmation of a permanent residence permit in Great Britain.
• Depending on the chosen procedure for obtaining citizenship:

- confirmation of your family ties with your father, who is a citizen of Great Britain;

- proof of your relationship with a citizen of the country (citizenship based on marriage);

- evidence that you meet the residency requirements (eg lived in the UK for 3 or 5 years before applying). To prove this, you can request a copy of your travel history from the Home Office, which shows when you left and entered the country;

- evidence that you meet the absence requirements - this can also be confirmed by providing a copy of your Home Office travel history showing when you left and entered the country.

• You have passed the "Life in the UK" test.
• Confirmed knowledge of the language.

How to apply for British citizenship?

• Complete the British citizenship application form. The form will depend on the chosen method of obtaining citizenship. You can apply for British citizenship online on the Home Office website.
• Pay the application fee for UK citizenship. The amount you will need to pay depends on the chosen method of obtaining citizenship.
• Make an appointment at a UKVCAS service point to provide your biometrics.
• Upload your documents to UKVI.

If the Home Office has any questions about your application, they will contact you for further information. It is important to respond to any inquiries as soon as possible to avoid your application being rejected.

If your citizenship application is approved, you will be invited to a citizenship ceremony.

The period of registration of British citizenship

Simple cases can be resolved within 1-3 months. If your case is complex or information is missing, it may take more than 6 months.

While you are waiting for a decision on your citizenship application, you are entitled to travel within the country and outside of the UK, subject to your current immigration permit conditions.

British citizenship ceremony

The British citizenship ceremony usually lasts around two hours and visitors are asked to come in formal dress.

The main part of the ceremony involves the oath or affirmation of allegiance to His Majesty the King and the oath of allegiance to the United Kingdom. This means that you promise to respect the rights, freedoms and laws of Great Britain.

A citizenship ceremony is usually attended by a local dignitary (such as your local mayor) with whom you may be invited to take an official photo. After your UK citizenship ceremony, you will become a British citizen and be able to apply for a British passport.

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Igor Usyk - Head of Legal Department at Visit World

For safe relocation to UK, obtaining refugee status and employment, use the advice of an international lawyer.

We help to solve complex and simple issues for your comfort and safety in the UK.

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More articles on the topic:

Read the new UK immigration rules for international students here.

The best countries in Europe for expats to live in 2023 are here.

How to get a work visa in the UK: types of permits and basic requirements.

How to find a job in the UK: a guide for foreigners.