Naturalisation Process in Detail

Before starting your naturalisation application, gather the following:

• All passports held during the qualifying period — UKVI will check your travel history from these documents to verify continuous residence and absence limits;
• Evidence of ILR or settled status — Your BRP, a share code from your UKVI account (for EUSS settled status), or previous ILR stamp in a passport;
• Life in the UK Test pass notification — Keep the certificate or booking reference;
• English language evidence — A degree taught in English, a SELT (Secure English Language Test) result at B1 CEFR or above from an approved provider, or certain nationalities are exempt (check the exemptions);
• Two referees — One referee must be a British citizen; both must confirm they have known you for at least three years and consider you to be of good character. Referees cannot be related to you.

If you have any criminal convictions, tax issues, or immigration compliance matters to disclose, gather supporting evidence and consult an adviser about how to present these honestly and effectively.

The naturalisation application is made online using form AN through the UKVI portal. The form covers personal details, residential history, employment history, travel history (absences from the UK), criminal record declarations, and referee details.

The travel history section requires accuracy — UKVI cross-checks it against passport stamps and border records. If your absence count is close to the limits (450 days in five years total, 90 days in the final 12 months), calculate carefully and if in doubt, seek advice. A small error in calculating absences is a common reason for rejection.

The fee for naturalisation is currently £1,500 per adult. This is non-refundable even if the application is refused. Given the high fee, ensuring the application is correctly completed and all requirements are met before submitting is extremely important.

After submitting the online application and paying the fee, you must attend a UKVI Visa and Citizenship Application Services (VCAS) centre to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photograph). You can book this appointment through the UKVI portal. There is no additional fee for biometrics in the naturalisation process.

Processing typically takes around six months from the date biometrics are provided. There is currently no priority service for naturalisation. If UKVI needs further information or documents during processing, they will contact you by post or email. Respond promptly to any such request.

Once approved, you will be sent an invitation letter to attend a citizenship ceremony at your local council within 90 days. You will not receive your certificate of naturalisation until after the ceremony. If you cannot attend within 90 days due to exceptional circumstances, contact your council to request an extension.

The Good Character requirement under section 6 of the British Nationality Act 1981 is assessed holistically but focuses on three main areas. Criminal convictions are the most common basis for refusal. The rules are strict: a sentence of four years or more imprisonment is a permanent bar to naturalisation. Sentences between one and four years impose a bar for ten years from the end of the sentence. Sentences between one and twelve months impose a bar for five years. Sentences under twelve months impose a bar for three years. Non-custodial sentences (fines, community orders, conditional discharges) impose a bar for one year from the date of conviction. Crucially, the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 does not apply — all convictions, including spent ones, must be declared and will be considered.

Tax compliance is an increasingly important element of the good character assessment. HMRC provides information to UKVI, and applicants who have outstanding tax debts, have been subject to tax fraud investigations, or have failed to file returns may face refusal even without criminal convictions. If you have any tax compliance issues — including undeclared income, late filed returns, or outstanding PAYE debts — these should be regularised before applying for naturalisation. Proactively addressing tax issues and providing evidence of resolution to UKVI can mitigate the risk of refusal.

Immigration history is the third pillar. Any breach of immigration conditions during the qualifying residence period — including overstaying, working in breach of visa conditions, or using deception in an immigration application — will be considered a good character failure and is likely to result in refusal. UKVI has access to border entry and exit records. If you had any visa compliance issues during the five-year qualifying period, seek legal advice before applying. Additionally, involvement in war crimes, crimes against humanity, terrorism, serious organised crime, or human rights abuses are absolute bars to naturalisation regardless of criminal conviction status in the UK.