Legislation concerning British citizenship and nationality is complex due to the long establishment of monarchical power in the United Kingdom. However, the two main methods of obtaining citizenship are either living in the UK for 5 years in order to become a naturalized citizen, or you need to marry a British citizen and have lived in the country for 3 years. However, in order to apply, certain requirements must be met.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Becoming a Naturalized Citizen
Step 1. Move to the UK
To become a naturalized citizen you must have lived in the UK for five years before applying for citizenship. Also, you must be in possession of a visa.
Visas that allow you to live in the UK are business, student, family member or partner visas, retiree or tourist visas
Step 2. Fill out the UK transfer form
On the form you will need to indicate the type of visa you have and provide information on your current situation. Once accepted, you will be able to permanently reside in the country, without having a specific departure date, such as when you have a visa.,
This form must be completed one year before applying for citizenship
Step 3. You must have a clean criminal record
To be a citizen of the UK you must have a clean criminal record, although minor offenses will not affect that much.
Step 4. You decide to stay in the UK
To apply for citizenship as a naturalized citizen you will need to live in the UK.
Also, you must have lived for a certain number of days in the UK before completing the form. You will need to have lived outside the UK for up to 450 days in the past 5 years and 90 days in the past year
Step 5. Check your language skills
You will need to demonstrate that you can speak English, as explained below.
Step 6. Pass the 'Life in the UK' test
This test is about British culture and life; it will be explained further in the next section.
Step 7. Apply and pay the fee
You will have to pay the fee based on the type of citizenship you are applying for.
You can apply in three ways: 1) by completing and submitting the online form; 2) getting help from the nationality checking service; 3) getting help from an agency or a private individual
Method 2 of 4: Becoming a British Citizen With Your Spouse
Step 1. Move to the UK
You must have lived in the UK for the past three years, during which time you may have spent no more than 270 days outside the UK, or a maximum of 90 days in the past year. You must have a visa to live in the UK. For this type of citizenship, you must have a visa issued as a spouse, but you must also have been in possession of other visas, such as tourist or student visas.
Step 2. You must be over 18 years old
You will need to be of legal age to obtain citizenship this way in the UK.
Step 3. You must have a clean criminal record
Basically, you must not have committed any serious crime recently.
Step 4. You must be able to understand and want
To meet this requirement, you must be able to understand the extent of your actions. Essentially, the government wants to know if you are getting married and moving out of your own will.
Step 5. Demonstrate your language skills
You will need to prove that you can speak English, as will be explained below.
Step 6. Pass the 'Life in the UK' test
The test is about British culture, life and government. You will find more information about it later.
Step 7. You need to apply for and obtain UK citizenship right
This means that you will enjoy the right to live in the UK without having a specific departure date.
Step 8. Apply and pay the form fee
Each form includes certain expenses for completing and shipping.
You can apply in three ways: 1) by completing and submitting the online form; 2) getting help from the nationality checking service; 3) getting help from an agency or a private individual
Method 3 of 4: Pass the "Life in the UK" Test
Step 1. Buy the study manual
The manual is titled Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents, 3rd Edition.
Step 2. Find out about the topics covered
The book and the test cover various topics, such as methods of becoming a citizen and everything you need to know about British traditions. The manual also explains the laws and functioning of the British government, in order to become familiar with the culture, history and events of the country.
Step 3. Study for the test
Read the manual and learn what you need to know for the exam.
Step 4. Book the test
You will have to book for the exam one week in advance and pay the corresponding fee.
You will need an email address, ID card, and credit card to book for the exam
Step 5. Bring the essentials with you
When taking the test, bring the identity card you booked the exam with. You will also need to prove that your address is true, for example by showing an electricity or water bill, a credit card or bank account statement, a letter from the Home Office indicating your personal details and residential address. or a UK driving license.
You will need all the documents listed above to take the exam. The government will not deal with it without these documents and will not reimburse you
Step 6. Take the exam
Go to a specialized center to take the exam.
- The test should take less than an hour and you will have to answer 24 questions.
- To receive the letter containing the positive response you must correctly answer at least 75% of the questions. Then you will have to present the letter received together with your transfer application or that for citizenship. Remember that you will only receive a copy of the letter, so don't lose it.
- If you fail the test, you can do it again after at least a week. However, you will need to book and pay for the exam again.
Method 4 of 4: Demonstrate your Language Skills
Step 1. You have an advantage if you come from an English-speaking country
The easiest way to overcome this obstacle is to come from an English-speaking country, such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the United States. If you are from one of these countries, you will not actually have to prove your language skills.
Step 2. Demonstrate that you have an English language level equal to B1, B2, C1, C2
Essentially, these levels correspond to the knowledge level of an average speaker.
Step 3. Take the test to prove your skills
The UK has a number of approved tests that can be used to prove your skills.
Step 4. A degree from an English-speaking institution automatically validates your language skills
In other words, you will need to have earned a degree from an English-speaking institution.
