Amin K. Excellent service. QC responded promptly, provided me with thorough, precise and easy to follow advice. Exactly what I needed when I was stressing about my daughter's citizenship status. Thank you so much.
British citizenship and how to apply
Most adults become British by naturalisation, usually after holding indefinite leave to remain or settled status for 12 months and living in the UK for 5 years. If you’re married to a British citizen you can apply as soon as you have ILR. Children, people born abroad to British parents and other British nationals usually register instead.
- Usually 5 years’ residence
- Life in the UK test and English
- Fee £1,839 for adults
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Reviewed by Qiyin Chuah, IAA Level 3 · Last reviewed
Compare routes to British citizenship
Most adults naturalise. Registration is a separate process for children, people with a British parent, and some other British nationals.
Comparison table, scroll sideways to see every route
| Requirement | Most adults Naturalisation | Married or civil partner Spouse of a British citizen | Under 18 Registering a child | Born abroad British by descent | BOTC, BN(O) and others Other British nationals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Adults with ILR or settled status (other qualifying circumstances may apply) | Adults with ILR or settled status married to, or in a civil partnership with, a British citizen | Children under 18 who live in or have links to the UK | People born abroad who may inherit British citizenship from a parent | Eligible holders of other British nationality types, including BN(O), BOTC and others |
| Residence needed | Usually 5 years’ UK residence and 12 months with ILR or settled status* | 3 years’ UK residence; no 12-month wait after ILR or settled status | Depends on the child’s situation | None if automatically British; registration requirements vary | Depends on the status |
| Life in the UK test and English | Usually both, unless exempt | Usually both, unless exempt | No, under 18 | Not required for automatic citizenship or child registration | Depends on the nationality and application route |
| Good character | Yes | Yes | From age 10 | Not applicable if automatically British; generally applies to registration from age 10* | Usually required for registration from age 10, subject to exceptions |
| Fee | £1,839 | £1,839 | £1,000* | No citizenship application fee if automatically British; registration fees vary | Usually £1,670 for adult registration or £1,000 for a child; exceptions apply |
| Typical decision time | Up to 6 months | Up to 6 months | Up to 6 months | No decision needed if automatically British; registration usually within 6 months | Up to 6 months for most registration applications |
| Full guide | Ask about this route | Ask about this route | Ask about this route | British by descent guide | Ask about this route |
*Naturalisation applicants must also satisfy absence limits and other requirements. Child registration fees may be waived in eligible cases; a £130 ceremony fee can apply if the child turns 18 during processing. British citizenship by descent depends on the parent’s citizenship status and the applicant’s date of birth. Some registration routes have exceptions to the good-character requirement.
What a citizenship application looks at
Naturalisation is discretionary. Meeting the residence rules isn’t enough on its own if there are character concerns.
- Your status
ILR, settled status or another qualifying status, held for long enough.
- Residence and absences
Present in the UK at the start of the qualifying period, with absences inside the limits.
- Life in the UK test
Passed, unless you’re exempt by age or a medical condition.
- English
B1 or higher, or a degree taught in English.
- Good character
Criminal record, immigration breaches, tax and debts are all considered.
- Two referees
Who know you and meet the referee rules.
Registering a child as British?
Some children are British automatically. Others need to be registered, and the route depends on where they were born and their parents’ status.
- Born in the UK. A child may be British at birth if a parent was British or settled when they were born.
- A parent became settled later. The child can often be registered while still under 18.
- Born abroad. It depends on whether the British parent is British by descent.
- Turning 18 soon. Apply before their 18th birthday. Some routes close at 18.
What British citizenship costs
Citizenship fees are one-off. There’s no Immigration Health Surcharge. The adult naturalisation fee includes the citizenship ceremony.
Worked example
Naturalisation, one adult
Application fee £1,839 + Life in the UK test £50
Add the cost of an English test if you need one, and a passport once you’re British.
| Application | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Naturalisation (adult) | £1,839 | Includes ceremony |
| Registering a child | £1,000 | Per child |
| British by descent | varies | |
| Other British nationals | varies | |
| Life in the UK test | £50 | Per attempt |
Home Office fees per applicant, from the 8 April 2026 schedule.
How we can help
From a first application to a refusal, at a fixed fee agreed before we start.
Visa application package We prepare and submit your application from start to finish. See what’s included → Application checking You prepare it, a regulated adviser reviews it before you submit. See what’s included → Visa appeals If you’re refused, we assess the merits and represent you. See what’s included →
What our clients say
What individuals, families and businesses say about working with QC Immigration.
Amin K. 
Monya R. QC have been invaluable throughout Home Office procedures for Tier 2 /ILR applications. The entire team is dedicated, professional and responds swiftly to queries. The application process was straightforward thanks to QC's skilful team. Highly recommended.
Danille D.
Once again, QC Immigration managed to help me with my visa extension. Without them, I'd have to deal with the stress of doing the application on my own. We made the right choice of continuing to work with QC Immigration. Thank you so much!!!
Mary
Outstanding service! QC provided precise, easy to follow advice and support throughout my permanent residence application process. The team is friendly, very professional, with invaluable in depth knowledge and advice that made the all process a pleasant experience. Highly recommended!
Ching-Fei L.
QC Immigration handled our application in a way that was truly professional, clear and to the point. They explained all the options and procedures clearly to us and showed great respect for our privacy. The whole process was trouble-free and the result successful! Great value for money!
Jessica C.
The are truly amazing and lovely as well as extremely professional. They not only helped us with all the paper work but also were supportive when we were worried and getting anxious. I will definitely contact them again when the next step comes and I highly recommend them.
Warwick B.
QC guided me from application to naturalisation and passport with efficiency, knowledge, patience and care. They were recommended to me by a prestigious Law firm and I recommend them to you...
Anna R.
Having engaged QC Immigration to support my citizenship application I could not have been more satisfied with the service. My case was handled consistently by the same person. Ligia guided me through the process and made it all very simple. Any questions I had along the way were answered promptly. I have been putting off my application for years feeling overwhelmed by the bureaucracy involved. With QC Immigration support I was able to secure a successful outcome quickly and with no stress whatsoever. Charge for the service was very reasonable considering the quality of support and the responsiveness.Read the full review
Diego G.
Xiaohan was so helpful with the process and we got accepted!
Tala A.
My partner and I had a great experience with QC. Both Dorota and Ninder were professional and attentive. I’d definitely work with them again.
Scott C. I recently engaged the services of QC Immigration to assist me in getting my first British passport. I applied from outside the British Isles and my situation was somewhat complex. Ninder and Dorota from QC treated me with the utmost of professionalism and courtesy. They took the time to review and explain my situation, and guide me through the steps of the application process, ensuring that my application stayed on track. With their expert assistance, my application was processed smoothly by HMPO and I received my new passport with no issues. I would highly recommend the services of QC Immigration to anyone who needs assistance navigating immigration, citizenship, or a VISA application to the UK.Read the full review
Maria R. We couldn’t be happier with QC Immigration. My partner and I applied for the UK Unmarried Partner Visa from Italy and received the decision in only 5 days after the biometrics appointment: truly incredible. Dorota followed us with exceptional kindness and professionalism, always available and supportive despite the large amount of documents we had to prepare. A special thank you also to Ninder! We felt fully supported and reassured throughout the entire process. We are over the moon and extremely grateful. Absolutely recommended!Read the full review
Nicholas S.
QC Immigration successfully secured British Citizenship through descent for my son. It was by no means guaranteed, but their extremely thorough approach and direction ensured that everything was done clearly and successfully. A special thanks to Ligia W. who supervised the whole process with patience and diligence. Many thanks! they are extremely good at what they do and they deliver!Read the full review
Anamaria C. I am deeply grateful to Ninder J. for her invaluable support regarding my son’s citizenship application. After waiting for over a year without progress, she kindly advised me to reach out to our regional MP for assistance. Thanks to her guidance, the application was successfully reviewed and resolved. What stands out most is that Ninder offered this advice freely, without charging, simply as a gesture of good citizenship and genuine care. Her professionalism, generosity, and commitment to helping others truly impressed me. I wholeheartedly recommend Ninder J. to anyone seeking honest, knowledgeable, and compassionate legal guidance. Her support made a real difference for my family, and I will always be thankful.Read the full review
Holland W.
Just an amazing experience with this team and their information, service and advice have been amazingly helpful.
Nikul K.
My experience with QC Immigration was outstanding. Ninder provided the most accurate and straightforward guidance. She explained every detail with great clarity and honesty, which made the whole process easy to understand and stress-free. Her expertise and professionalism are truly impressive. I’m very thankful for her support and would strongly recommend QC Immigration to anyone who wants reliable and clear immigration adviceRead the full review
Solomon P. Good service 👍
Ramzi H.
I want to thank QC Immigration, especially Dorota, and Ninder for their great support. My case wasn’t easy at all – I had received a refusal with a 10-year ban because the Home Office considered one of my documents suspicious. It was a very stressful time, but Dorota took over my application and handled everything with so much care and attention. She always explained things clearly, kept me updated . What really makes Dorota special is not only her professionalism, but also her passion and the way she genuinely cares. She fought hard for fairness in my case. After months of waiting, I finally received a positive outcome, and I am sure this wouldn’t have happened without her. I’m truly grateful to Dorota. If you are looking for someone who is not only highly professional but also kind, supportive, and truly dedicated, I can’t recommend her enough.Read the full review
Emilie W.
Competent, empathetic and knowledgable support and guidance through my application for a student visa !! A special thank you to Sara and Xiaohan who supported me through it and who was always quick with answers.
Hakunawadi P.
The team is exceptionally professional, and meticulous. No excuses. I would recommend them to anyone in need any day. Thank you very much.
Check before you apply
Free tools that take a minute or two. They give general information, not advice on your case.
Questions about British citizenship
For route-specific questions, see each guide.
Usually 12 months after getting ILR or settled status, once you’ve lived in the UK for at least 5 years. If you’re married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you can apply as soon as you get ILR, after 3 years’ residence.
For naturalisation, usually no more than 450 days in the 5-year period and 90 days in the final 12 months. The Home Office can use discretion for some excess absences, but it needs a good reason and evidence.
The UK allows dual nationality, but your other country may not. Some countries remove citizenship automatically when you naturalise elsewhere. Check with your other country’s authorities before you apply.
Not always, but it’s the most common reason for refusal. The rules look at the type of offence, the sentence and how long ago it was. Immigration breaches, traffic offences, unpaid taxes and debts also count. Get advice before you apply, because the fee isn’t refunded.
Only if a parent was British or settled at the time of the birth. If not, the child may be able to register later, for example when a parent becomes settled or after living in the UK for 10 years.
You’re invited to a citizenship ceremony, usually within 3 months. You become British on the day you make the oath or affirmation. You can then apply for a British passport.
Tell us what you need help with
A regulated adviser reviews your situation and comes back with an honest next step within one working day.
- An IAA-regulated UK immigration adviser reviews your case.
- A personal reply with your next step, within one working day.
- No payment required. Fixed fees if you proceed.
- 4.9 on Google
- IAA Level 3 · the highest tier
- 7,000+ clients helped
- Fast-track support
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