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How to Apply for Naturalisation
Applications for British naturalisation are primarily made online, although the paper Form AN is still available for those who prefer it.
Submitting Your Application
Online: Upload all supporting documents through the UKVI digital portal.
Paper Form: Send your documents along with the completed form by recorded delivery.
Your official application date is either when your online payment is submitted or when your paper form is received by the Home Office (check with your postal tracking service).
📍 Important: You must be physically in the UK on the date your application is submitted or received.
You do not need to remain in the UK while your naturalisation application is under review.
Referees
Your application must be supported by two referees who:
Have known you for at least 3 years
Are not related to you or to each other
Must provide:
Their passport details and date of birth
How long they’ve known you
Their relationship to you
A declaration of your good character and suitability for British citizenship
Who Can Be a Referee for Naturalisation?
According to ZAR Immigration, one referee can be any nationality with professional standing—such as an accountant, solicitor, barrister, dentist, teacher, or director of a VAT-registered company. This list is not exhaustive; full details are in the official guidance.
The second referee must be a British citizen who is either a professional or over 25 years old
Cost to Apply for Naturalisation
According to ZAR Immigration, the naturalisation application fee is currently £1,330, excluding the biometric appointment fee of £19.20. The citizenship ceremony fee is included unless you opt for an individual ceremony on a preferred date. Passport application fees are separate and not included.
General Requirements for Naturalisation
According to ZAR Immigration, to apply for naturalisation you must have:
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), settled status, or permanent residence documentation.
Good character.
Fulfilled the residence requirement.
Knowledge of English language and Life in the UK.
Intention to live permanently in the UK or have your main home there.
Residence Requirements for Naturalisation
For Most Applicants (except spouses of British citizens):
Must have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or settled status for at least 12 months before applying.
Must have lived lawfully in the UK for at least 5 years (often 6 years total, including the year before ILR).
Must not have been absent from the UK for more than 450 days in the last 5 years (excluding day of travel).
Must not have been absent for more than 90 days in the last 12 months.
Must have been physically present in the UK on the day 5 years before the application is received.
For Spouses of British Citizens:
Must have ILR or settled status on the day of application.
Must have lived lawfully in the UK for at least 3 years.
Must not have been absent for more than 270 days in the last 3 years and 90 days in the last 12 months.
Must have been physically present in the UK on the day 3 years before the application is received.
Knowledge of Life in the UK
This requirement applies to all applicants, including EU citizens (who do not need to take tests for settlement).
The Life in the UK test has no expiry date. If you passed it for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), your certificate remains valid but must be submitted with your naturalisation application.
Applicants aged 65 or over are exempt.
Waivers may be granted for those with physical or mental conditions making the test unreasonable; a medical practitioner’s signed request is required.
The test must be booked online. The official handbook is available for purchase online, including a Kindle edition.
ZAR Immigration notes that there are no Life in the UK test centers outside the UK.
English Language Requirement
You meet the English language requirement if you:
Have a speaking and listening qualification at B1 CEFR level or above from an approved Secure English Language Test provider;
Hold a degree taught or researched in English (confirmed by NARIC and the university);
Are a national of a majority English-speaking country.
ZAR Immigration can assist with verifying and preparing your evidence.
List of Majority English speaking countries
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- USA
Note that no African and Asian countries are on the list.
Intention to Live in the UK Permanently
You don’t need to never travel abroad or refuse overseas jobs. However, leaving the UK for employment abroad without clear plans to return may lead to refusal of your naturalisation application.
ZAR Immigration advises demonstrating strong ties and intention to remain in the UK permanently.
What Happens After You Submit Your Naturalisation Application
Processing usually takes between 2 to 6 months, but times can vary as naturalisation decisions are discretionary.
You can travel and apply from outside the UK while your application is pending.
Once approved, you’ll be invited to a citizenship ceremony, usually to be booked within three weeks. At the ceremony, you’ll receive your naturalisation certificate and officially become a British citizen.
After receiving your certificate, you must destroy your BRP card and return it to the Home Office by recorded delivery—failure to do so may result in a £1,000 fine.
Note: You cannot travel on your new status until you have your first British passport. Traveling after the ceremony but before obtaining the passport may cause delays, especially if applying for the passport from overseas.
ZAR Immigration recommends planning your travel accordingly during this period.
