🇬🇧 British Citizenship – Requirements and Legal Rights (2025)
🏛️ Overview
British citizenship grants permanent residence, work rights, healthcare access, and global mobility.
It can be obtained through several legal routes under the British Nationality Act 1981.
🧭 Main Routes to Citizenship
- By Birth: child born in the UK to a British parent.
- By Naturalisation: after 5 years’ legal residence + 1 year of ILR.
- By Marriage: after 3 years married to a British citizen.
- By Descent: if one parent is British even if born abroad.
📋 Requirements (2025)
- Age 18 or older.
- 5 years of legal residence (3 if married to a Brit).
- No more than 450 days outside the UK.
- Hold ILR or Settled Status.
- Pass Life in the UK Test.
- English language (B1 level).
- Good character and clean record.
💰 Fees and Processing Time
| Application Type | Fee (2025) | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Naturalisation | £1,630 | 3–6 months |
| Marriage route | £1,630 | 3–6 months |
| Child registration | £1,214 | 3–5 months |
🎓 Benefits of Citizenship
- Apply for a British passport.
- Right to vote.
- Free NHS healthcare.
- Visa-free travel to 180+ countries.
🚫 Common Refusal Reasons
- Overstaying or unlawful residence.
- Criminal convictions.
- False or missing documents.
- Failing language or life test.
🧭 Official Sources
Citizens Advice
Home Office
Gov.uk – Become a British citizen