Apply for British Citizenship

If you are looking to acquire British Citizenship, QC Immigration can help you during the application process and make sure that documentation clearly showcases why you are eligible, and that you are meeting all the requirements. No matter which route to citizenship you are looking to apply for, please get in touch to discuss with one of our qualified immigration lawyers.

There are different routes to gain British Citizenship. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to apply for British Citizenship through one or more routes.

These routes include:

  • Naturalisation
  • Birth
  • Marriage

Eligibility and requirements

Although there are several routes to obtain British Citizenship, general requirements to fulfil will include

  • Proof of living in the UK for at least 3 years prior to your application
  • Proof that you have passed theВ 
  • Good knowledge of the English language through an approved test
  • Good character (i.e. no criminal record, respect of immigration laws)

The most common route is called Naturalisation.

You can apply for British Citizenship by Naturalisation if:

  • Youre 18 or over
  • Youre of good character, for example, you donвt have a serious or recent criminal record, and you havenвt tried to deceive the Home Office or been involved in immigration offences in the last 10 years
  • Youll continue to live in the UK
  • Youve met the knowledge of English and Life in the UK Test requirements
  • You meet the residency requirement

And you must usually have:

  • Lived in the UK for at least theВ 5 yearsВ before the date of your application
  • Spent no more than 450 days outside the UK during those 5 years
  • Spent no more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months
  • Had settlement in the UK for the last 12 months if youвre from outside the European Economic Area (EEA)
  • Had Permanent Residence for the last 12 months if youвre a citizen of an EEA country в you need to provide a permanent residence document
  • Not broken any immigration laws while in the UK
  • British Citizenship by Birth

Not everyone automatically gets British Citizenship when they are born in the UK, this also depends on parentsв circumstances and when they were born

You may be eligible for British Citizenship by registration if you:

  • Have another form of British nationality
  • Were born before 1 January 1983 to a British mother
  • Were born to a British father, even if he was not married to your mother
  • Were born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983
  • Are under 18 and donвt fit into the other categories
  • Have a connection with Gibraltar or Hong Kong
  • Are stateless

British nationality laws are very complicated as they involve historical changes. В We always recommend that clients discuss their circumstances with one of our immigration lawyers before moving forward with their application. We deal with British Citizenship applications every day. The Home Office views British Citizenship as a privilege rather than an entitlement.

British Citizenship by Marriage

If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British Citizen and have lived in the UK for the last 3 years prior to your application, you may apply for British Citizenship through the marriage route.

To apply, you will also need to have one of the following

  • Indefinite Leave to Remain Settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
  • Permanent Residence document
  • Since 1 January 2021, if you have the settled status you no longer can apply for a permanent residence document and will need to use your settled status to apply for citizenship

Applying for British Citizenship

It is possible to apply for British Citizenship by yourself or through a representative registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner

QC Immigration is registered and can help you choose the best route available to you if possible and will help you make a solid and well-presented case which helps the Home Office come to a decision quicker.

You must check that you have all documents required and that you are meeting the eligibility criteria before starting your application

British Citizenship application costs

It costs ВЈ1,330 for adults to apply for British citizenship by naturalisation. For registration, the fees are ВЈ1,206.

Additional costs should be taken into consideration, such as translation of documents that are not in English to support your application, taking an English language test or Life in the UK Test, or paying for your citizenship ceremony.

You will also need to pay ВЈ19.20 to have your biometric information taken, once your application has been approved

How long does the process take?

It can take up to 6 months for the Home Office to make a decision, sometimes more depending on the nature of the application and the volume of applications that the Home Office has to handle. We find that enables the Home Office to make a decision much quicker

How QC Immigration can help

Our team has extensive experience in dealing with British Citizenship applications. If you would like to discuss which route would be best for you and get help for your application, dont hesitate to get in touch

How can I prove a good knowledge of the English language?

You will need to pass a secure English language test (SELT) from an approved provider in order to apply for British Citizenship. The test needs to be on the list of approved tests and cannot include qualifications such as NVQs or GSCEs. The test will be valid for 2 years so make sure you are applying while your test is still valid.

What is the Life in the UK Test?

The Life in the UK Test, also called British Citizenship test, costs ВЈ50 and is required before you can submit your application. The test is aimed at showcasing your knowledge of British culture, history and customs. If you have already passed this test as part of a previous application to obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain, you will not need to pass the test again  

Do I need to renounce my nationality to apply for British Citizenship?

Dual citizenship is allowed in the UK, so when you are applying for citizenship you will not be asked to renounce your nationality. However, your country may have other rules about dual citizenship so we would recommend getting in touch with your countrys consulate or embassy to check whether your country will allow dual citizenship.

What happens when my application has been accepted?

If your application is successful, you will be notified by email and/or post. You will also need to take part in a citizenship ceremony where you will pledge to respect the rights, freedoms and laws of the UK. Once a UK citizen you will be able to apply for a British passport.

My British Citizenship application was refused. What can I do?

If your application has been unsuccessful, you can ask the Home Office to reconsider their decision through a form NR, at an additional cost. If this happens, it is important to act swiftly and ensure that you have a solid case when requesting a reconsideration. Due to the complexities of laws and requirements, it is highly recommended to enrol the help of specialist immigration lawyers such as QC Immigration.

Have a questions?

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How we work

1
consultation.

We start a discussion by understanding your history, and we will clearly outline the best option available and any recommendations to save you time and costs.

2
instruction.

Once you instruct us to be your legal representative, we will start preparing your case. We may require more information about you to help you more effectively.

3
documents.

Documentation is a crucial part of an immigration application. We will customise a document list to guide your preparation. Your dedicated lawyer will check the documents and advise of any improvements needed.

4
application.

We will complete your application to the Home Office and may also write a cover letter with strong legal arguments where relevant. We may discuss this with you to confirm the final details.

5
submission.

We will submit your application to the Home Office, Court authorities securely. We will represent you as the main point of contact with them for any further requests.

6
interview.

You may sometimes be invited to attend a Home Office interview or Court hearing. While this may sound daunting, we will help you prepare and provide guidance on what questions to expect.

7
decision.

As soon as we receive a decision from the Home Office, we will get in touch with you to share the news.

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What clients say

We did multiple assignments with QC and were very happy with the fast response and results we achieved on our applications.

manish rungta
manish rungta
Google five star client rating

Qiyin was very quick to respond to my inquiries. She was very professional, supportive and helpful. Highly recommended!

Ainul Nadhirah Hanafiah
Ainul Nadhirah Hanafiah
Google five star client rating

Qiyin listened very attentively to my concerns and reassured me. Gave me a lot of insight into how I need to plan my application in a very personal way. Would definitely highly recommend.

Sashi Ganes
Sashi Ganes
Google five star client rating

Very professional team, who helped me gain EU Settled status pre-Brexit using a new Android app. It is refreshing to see that QC-immigration team adopts fast the technology and is on top of all changes in legislation. They got my full trust.

Victoria Rusnac
Victoria Rusnac
Google five star client rating

Hafsah made my application look so simple and easy even though i was doubtful about my case before approaching QC. I can’t believe my ILR application got approved by Home office within 24 hrs of biometric appointment. Thank you Hafsah for helping me get this done.

Shubha Shet
Shubha Shet
Google five star client rating

It was a pleasure working with Qiyin and her team. They were very helpful and responsive all the time. They helped me with my Permanent Residence which was succesful and was received in less than a month. I will work with them again in the future, so I strongly recommend this Immigration office to everyone.

Nasos Balasis
Nasos Balasis
Google five star client rating

Definitely the best law firm I've ever dealt with. Hafsah Awan is an amazing lawyer, she is extremely professional, she truly cares, and gives great advise to ensure all goes smoothly. My entire process with Hafsah went really well, and we successfully got our Start-up visas to the UK, many thanks to Hafsah for her great efforts. I also loved that they are very responsive, to emails, calls, etc. Qiyin Chuah, the founder, actually helped me in the last moment during her weekend, I was very thankful for that, as not many people would even get back to you during the weekend. Overall, an amazing law firm, I'm very pleased, and I truly wish Hafsah, Qiyin, and the rest of QC Immigration team all the best, God bless you all :)

Ahmad Agha
Ahmad Agha
Google five star client rating

I had an exploratory conversation with QC Immigration. Qiyin was professional and personable throughout our conversation, explaining clearly the current criteria and regulatory considerations to keep in mind. I would have no reservations in appointing them for representation should there ever be a need, as Qiyin provided from the outset, the calm assurance of having the knowledge, experience and an individual approach that I strongly value.

May Loke
May Loke
Google five star client rating

Very good service and professional company! I contact them trough a friend because I had problem with a Family Visa in Scotland, they helped me and advised in all the process and they solved what I needed to solve so quick. Specially Qiyin and Marianna. I would always come back to them again if I needed and also recommend them. As I said, very good and Professional.

Martin Nicolas Camaño Martin
Martin Nicolas Camaño Martin
Google five star client rating

Both my fiancé and I used QC Immigration this year for our new visa and naturalisation applications, respectively, and were very happy with the service. Our main point of contact was Marianna, who was very prompt and thorough in her preparation of our applications and helpful throughout every step of the process with our concerns, etc. Highly recommend QC Immigration. Thank you again, Marianna!

Sarah Monaco
Sarah Monaco
Google five star client rating

My friend had recommended QC Immigration and I was not disappointed! Marianna was my main point of contact and she was kind, prompt and very efficient. I had a lot of questions and Marianna was very quick in replying to me. I would definitely recommend QC Immigration.

Malulie Tongprasert
Malulie Tongprasert
Google five star client rating

They were extremely professional and thorough throughout the application process. I even shared my travel plans and they worked based on my timelines, which based on experience, most companies don't prioritise. Highly recommend working with them if you want to be stress free and want your application handled with care.

Shruthi Padmanabhan
Shruthi Padmanabhan
Google five star client rating

I have been using QC Immigration to help prepare for my partner's Proposed Civil Partnership Visa application. We have been dealing with Marianna since January, and have found her to be extremely professional, knowledgeable and personable. She has always responded to my queries and concerns, (however neurotic!) and she has paid great attention to detail. It has been an invaluable service, and should our application be successful in this instance, I will not hesitate to appoint QC Immigration again to assist with the next stages. Many thanks again for your hard work and for showing us such an understanding and caring attitude! :)

Bethany Taylor-James
Bethany Taylor-James
Google five star client rating

My partner and I recently used QC Immigration when applying for a UK partner visa. They were very professional throughout and dealt with all questions and queries accordingly. Marianna was our main point of contact and was extremely diligent and reassuring throughout the process. We appreciated their attention to detail and extensive knowledge of UK immigration law and would highly recommend them to any prospective clients.

Eliot Parker
Eliot Parker
Google five star client rating

FAQ

Do I need to renounce my nationality to apply for British citizenship?

Dual citizenship is allowed in the UK, so when you are applying for citizenship you will not be asked to renounce your nationality. However, your country may have other rules about dual citizenship so we would recommend getting in touch with your country’s consulate or embassy to check whether your country will allow dual citizenship.

What happens when my application has been accepted?

If your application is successful, you will be notified by email and/or post. You will also need to take part in a citizenship ceremony where you will pledge to respect the rights, freedoms and laws of the UK. Once a UK citizen you will be able to apply for a British passport.

My British Citizenship application was refused. What can I do?

If your application has been unsuccessful, you can ask the Home Office to reconsider their decision through a form NR, at an additional cost. Again in this instance, it is key to meet every deadline and submit a very strong case, you will strongly benefit from an experienced law team like QC Immigration for this.

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