How to Apply for British Citizenship (Naturalisation)
You must live in the UK for 5 years. You must then have settled status or indefinite leave for 12 months. Next, pass the Life in the UK testLife in the UK Test — The 24-question computer test on British history, traditions, and government required for most citizenship and settlement applications.Click for official info ↗. Pass an English test too. Apply on Form AN with referees. Go to a citizenship ceremony. Then you become British.
At a glance
- Cost:
- £1,839 total (application £1,709 + ceremony £130, 2026)
- Total time:
- About 6 months
- Steps:
- 8 steps
- Where to apply:
- gov.uk
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked every 6 months · next review due April 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official UK sources(October 2026).
0 of 8 steps
- Before You Go 1 hour
Check you meet the residence requirement
In most cases you need 5 years of living in the UK, with no long breaks. You must have been in the UK on the day 5 years before you apply. You must not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK in total. In the last year, you must not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK. Are you married to a British citizen? Then you only need 3 years. You do not need to wait after you get settled status. Other people must have held settled status for the last 12 months. Spouses do not need this wait.
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- Before You Go Ongoing
Prepare translations and the Life in the UK test
Some of your documents are not in English. For example, marriage certificates or divorce papers from abroad. You need certified English translations for your application. Now for the Life in the UK test. You can first study the official handbook in your own language, if that helps. Community groups have study materials in Hindi, Nepali, Portuguese, Spanish and other languages. But the test is only in English. It is also offered in Welsh and Scottish Gaelic. So practise the English questions before you book. You cannot have an interpreter. Is English hard for you? Think about ESOL classes with citizenship content. For some people, this is an accepted route. You can read this guide in Hindi, Nepali, Português (Brasil), or Español. Use the language dropdown above.
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- Before You Go Book + study: 2–6 weeks
Pass the Life in the UK test
It is a 24-question test. It is a 45-minute test, taken on a computer. It asks about UK history, traditions, and law. The pass mark is 75%. Book online (£50) at one of 30+ test centres. Take a photo ID and proof of your address. You can take the test again if you fail. But each try costs £50. Some people do not need to take it. This covers people under 18, people aged 65+, and some people with a long-term physical or mental health condition.
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- Before You Go Varies
Meet the English language requirement
You need English at B1 CEFR level, in speaking and listening. You can prove it with a SELT. SELT means Secure English Language Test. One example is IELTS Life Skills. Or you can use a degree that was taught or researched in English. Or you may be a citizen of a country where most people speak English. Some people do not need this. This covers people aged 65+, and people with a long-term physical or mental health condition that stops them learning English.
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- Fill / Prepare 1–2 weeks
Complete Form AN and gather referee declarations
Apply online. Or use paper Form AN. You need two referees. One must have a professional job, like a teacher or a civil servant. The other must be a British citizen aged 25+. They must have known you for 3 years. Both referees sign your photo and your declarations. Tell the truth about all your time outside the UK. Tell the truth about any convictions and your immigration history. Leaving things out is the top reason for refusal.
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- Submit & Pay 1 day
Submit, pay, and give biometrics
The fee is £1,709 for one adult. There is also a £130 ceremony fee. Pay online. Upload your documents, or post them. Give your fingerprints and photo at a UKVCAS service point. Some appointments cost extra. It can take up to 6 months to get a decision. Do not book travel for a ceremony until you are approved.
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- Wait Up to 6 months
Wait for the decision
Most people get a decision within 6 months. Hard cases take longer. You may be asked to go to an interview. If you are approved, you will be invited to a citizenship ceremony. The ceremony must happen within 3 months of the decision letter.
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- Receive 1–2 hours
Attend the ceremony and apply for a passport
The ceremony fee of £130 is already included in the £1,839 total paid when you applied; the standard ceremony itself has no extra charge. It is usually at your local council. You say the Oath of Allegiance, or the Affirmation of Allegiance. You then get your certificate of naturalisation. This certificate proves you are a citizen. You can then apply for a British passport. Keep the certificate safe for life. A new one takes a long time and costs a lot.
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Be Careful
Don't make these mistakes
Applying before you meet the residence rule. You need 5 years of living in the UK with no long breaks, and you must have been in the UK on the day 5 years before you apply. You must not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK in total, or more than 90 days outside in the last year. Most people must also have held settled status for 12 months, unless they are married to a British citizen and need only 3 years.
Leaving out time abroad or a conviction. Tell the truth about all your time outside the UK, any convictions, and your immigration history. Leaving things out is the top reason for refusal.
Booking the Life in the UK test unprepared. The test is only in English, Welsh, and Scottish Gaelic, and you cannot have an interpreter. Practise the English questions before you book, since each try costs £50.
Choosing the wrong referees. You need two referees. One must have a professional job, like a teacher or a civil servant. The other must be a British citizen aged 25 or over. They must have known you for 3 years, and both must sign your photo and your declarations.
Booking travel before you are approved. It can take up to 6 months to get a decision. Do not book travel for a ceremony until you are approved. Once approved, the ceremony must happen within 3 months of the decision letter.
Losing your certificate of naturalisation. The certificate proves you are a citizen. Keep it safe for life. A new one takes a long time and costs a lot.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
I have settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Can I naturalise?
Yes. Settled status counts as settled residence when you apply to become British. You need 5 years of living in the UK with no long breaks. That is usually 6 years in total. It includes 12 months with settled status. You also need the Life in the UK test and the English test. It is the same as for people with ILR.
Do I lose my original citizenship?
The UK lets you have dual nationality. But your first country may not. Check its rules before you apply. Some countries take your citizenship away at once if you become a citizen of another country. Other countries make you give it up first.
What if my application is refused?
No. If your application is refused, you cannot appeal in the normal way. This is different from visa refusals. The Home OfficeUK Home Office — The government department responsible for visas, immigration, and citizenship in the UK.Click for official info ↗ can look at the decision again. That costs a £513 fee. Or you can apply again. People are often refused because they failed a test, did not explain time outside the UK, or did not declare a small conviction. Get legal advice before you apply again.
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