British Citizenship

UK Visas and British Citizenship

In most cases, one year after you obtained permanent residence, you can apply for British Citizenship.

It is also acquired by birth, descent or naturalisation.

There are different ways to become a British citizen based on your circumstances. If you’re eligible in more than one way you can choose which way to apply. If you are not British by birth, you will need to attend a Citizenship ceremony as a requirement.

If you were born in the UK

You do not automatically get British citizenship if you were born in the UK. It depends on when you were born and your parents’ circumstances (e.g.: if the child was born to a parent who holds Settled Status, this child is automatically British citizen).

If you’re married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen

To apply as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen you must have lived in the UK for the last 3 years.

With the British Citizenship, you can:

Apply for a British Passport

Be able to enter and leave the country freely

Work

Study

Set up a UK business

Use the public health system

Allow your spouse and dependent children with less than 18 years of age to join you.

You’ll also need to have either:

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or

Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme

If you have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or if you have Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme

To apply for citizenship with settled status you must usually have lived in the UK for 12 months after getting it.