Even if the validity of your student visa is 5 years, the minimum required time to apply for UK citizenship. Check if your passport has an entry stamp for when you first entered the UK. With our Advice Package, you can book a one-to-one session with one of our legal team and receive bespoke advice tailored for your situation. Such proof can be letters to confirm your current employment, bank statements, or letters from your university or college. The test pass mark is 75%. "I had spoken with several people with this company, and I am extremely satisfied with how kind and patient they are. They must either pass an ESOL exam or be able to show they are a national of an English-speaking country. The UK government offers hundreds of scholarships, bursaries and additional financial support to students from a large number of countries. The Life in the UK test, also known as the British Citizenship test, is one of the requirements for British Citizenship (as well as for Indefinite Leave to Remain). The same applies if you are an EU and EEA citizen on the EU Settled Scheme. Registered number 01436945 England. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. Application for review . Our Flagship London Immigration Lawyer office is open for business as usual. The following are the key British citizenship documents that you must attach to your form in any case: The British Citizenship application process usually takes around three months. However, you will need to prove you have spent the last five years as a resident in the UK rather than three. You do not automatically get British citizenship if you were born in the UK. The fees for this application will differ when applying from inside or outside of the UK. You can find the rehabilitation periods on GOV.UK. be over 18 have been in the UK for the required qualifying time. Both of your referees should have known you personally for more than 3 years. If you are applying via a Spouse Visa, the British Citizenship requirements usually include: If you are applying from any other immigration route or visa category, you must have: Read our Form AN guide for more information on naturalisation. To apply for a fee waiver, you have to show you dont have enough income and savings to pay for both the fee and essential costs like food and rent. Before we take a look at the application process for becoming a British Citizen, we need to make sure you have the right to apply. However, you will still need to have heldsettled statusfor at least a year before your application. This means that if you have any qualifications such as GCSEs and NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications) these will not count. Home student (United Kingdom) In tertiary education in the United Kingdom, the term home student is used to refer to those who are eligible to pay university tuition fees at a lower rate than overseas students. You are given 45 minutes to answer these and you need a 75% pass-rate to succeed. lived lawfully in the UK over the past 3 years, a qualification that shows you speak and understand English - unless youre exempt, good character - for example, you've had no recent or serious criminal convictions, or problems with debts, unpaid taxes or immigration. Find out about the Energy Bills Support Scheme, apply for citizenship if you were born in the UK, apply as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen, apply for citizenship with settled status, Chagossian descendant (a direct descendant of someone born in British Indian Ocean Territory), apply for citizenship under the Windrush Scheme, settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you or one of your parents arrived in the UK before 1973, youve lived in the UK and not been away from it for more than 2 years. Failure to disclose any conviction abroad will result in your application being rejected, unless you can demonstrate that you did not know about it. Referees must be over 18 years of age, be a British passport holder and must have known the applicant for at least three years. We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals. Your student visa doesn't allow you to change your civil status as a regular resident of UK. For example, if you're receiving medical treatment for a serious illness. This means you can live or work in the UK without immigration restrictions. The requirements for British Citizenship by marriage are slightly different from the usual. Youll need to give the Home Office your current passport and old passports that cover the time youve been in the country. check if youre eligible to apply for citizenship, find out more about the fees for citizenship applications on GOV.UK, check if your child can get British citizenship and what form you should use, check how many days you were outside the UK, book the Life in the UK Test and buy the official handbook, check which nationalities don't have to prove they understand English, check how to show your degree was in English, find a secure English language test provider, check your English language test is still valid, check the list and the rest of the rules for referees, youre married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, apply if you have indefinite leave to remain or settled status, apply if you have permanent residence status, book an appointment on the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service website, check what to bring and if anyone needs to go with you on GOV.UK, replacing or correcting your citizenship certificate, find out more about how to apply for a British passport. Call us on0333 363 8577or make an enquiry online to find out if you qualify to become a British national. Before you apply, you should check the naturalisation guide on GOV.UK to find out if the Home Office can make an exception for your absences from the UK. For the over 18s, the most common route is Naturalization. There are a number of routes to becoming a British citizen including: To become a UK national, you need to prove your knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic through passing a listening and speaking test at B1 level. This article will give you a general idea of the guidelines for getting a visa to study in the UK. Requirements for a Student visa . You can get a form for your doctor to fill in on GOV.UK. To qualify to become a British citizen, the spouse must meet the following criteria: Children born in the UK do not always automatically acquire citizenship status. Becoming a British citizen is a significant life event. See advice for Northern Ireland, See advice for Scotland, See advice for Wales. Ellen Street 5-year route After 5 years of residence in the UK, you are eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. You can find out how to apply for British citizenship. Requirements for British Citizenship Well send you a link to a feedback form. Call us: The Home Office will write to you if they need more details about your application. News stories, speeches, letters and notices, Reports, analysis and official statistics, Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports. IAS Head Office USA You might be able to apply for British citizenship by naturalisation if youre over 18 years old and you either: Naturalisation is the most common way to get citizenship if you were born outside the UK and dont have a British parent. Have a good character and must not have any serious criminal convictions either abroad or in the UK. You should talk to an adviser if you need help with completing your application or providing evidence. If your British citizenship application has been refused, then IAS can help you appeal the decision. Is there anything wrong with this page? You might still be eligible if the Home Office decide to 'use discretion' (make an exception). "We used this service for the spouse visa extension application to assure that all the information was valid and correct. Get in touch with our expert immigration attorneys to receive assistance with your British Citizenship application. They are also entitled to vote and can access the NHS without having to pay the NHS surcharge. You can change your cookie settings at any time. This is a computer-based exam consisting of 24 questions covering several topics. Youll need to book an appointment on the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service website. You have rejected additional cookies. Registered charity number 279057. If you pass the test, you will receive a notification letter that you must submit when you apply for British Citizenship. As a result, UKVI are particularly cautious with which applications they choose to accept. Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal. Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. For example, they can ignore time you spent outside the UK for: The Home Office will ignore absences for a compassionate or exceptional reason - for example, coronavirus travel restrictions delayed their return to the UK. SE1 1LB If youve applied on a paper form, youll need to submit your documents - for example, send your passport with your application. It is vital to prepare adequate supporting documentation to show that you meet all the requirements for British Citizenship. The Home Office offers a Life in the UK test handbook from which the test questions are mostly based. We at IAS understand thatapplying for British Citizenship is one of the most important processes you will undergo. 0333 305 9375. If the Home Office decides youre not eligible for citizenship because of the time youve spent outside the UK, you wont get your application fee back. You need to have permission to live in the UK permanently - for example, getting indefinite leave to remain or 'settled status' from the EU Settlement Scheme. If you have any entry and exit stamps in your passport, check they match the dates youve said you were in and out of the country on your application. You should work out exactly when you were in the UK during the last: 3 years if youre married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, 5 years if youre not married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen. If you think youll have problems with proving you are of good character, you should talk to an adviser before you apply. GN House If any of the details are different, you will not get a British passport. Our service will ensure you are in the best position to meet the British Citizenship requirements before you apply. The length of time you need to prove will depend on your situation. Eligibility Requirements for PR in UK Firstly, to apply for PR in the United Kingdom, you have to spend a specified amount of time living and working in the country, which depends solely on your visa: The best guidance for your STUDY ABROAD DREAM Start your journey with the best study abroad experts in India Book a free session Demonstrate a knowledge of written and spoken English. For example, the rehabilitation period for a fine is 1 year. The test asks questions about UK laws and the legal system, working and other details of life in the UK. Take 3 minutes to tell us if you found what you needed on our website. London M3 5BQ Holding ILR is a necessary step before you can apply for naturalisation in the UK as a citizen. You can find out more about the fees for citizenship applications on GOV.UK. Its easier to meet the requirements if your husband, wife or civil partner is a British citizen. British Citizenship by Birth You may automatically be recognized as a British citizen if you were born in the UK after 1st January 1983. Limerick Find out more about applying forBritish Citizenship for your child born abroad. You should check if youre eligible to apply for citizenship - there are different routes to apply. Two referees are required as part of the application for British citizen. living in the UK for the 5 years before you apply, outside the UK for no more than 450 days in those 5 years. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Information about applying for or renouncing British citizenship, confirming British nationality or applying for a document showing the Right of Abode. Your referees must have known you for at least three years and be over 25. The law concerning British citizenship and nationality are complex due to the United Kingdom's long standing history of monarchist power. Applicants are required to provide: To qualify to make a British citizenship application, you must ensure that you meet the criteria for continuous residence in the UK and have not lived overseas for a significant period in the time prior to making your application. This article is a guide on how to get UK citizenship for Indians. All applicants must be in good Investors from some countries have to provide a negative tuberculosis test. Passing the Life in the UK test is a necessity for anyone who wants to meet the British Citizenship requirements. The application process is easier for children - they don't have to: You can check if your child can get British citizenship and what form you should use. Citizenship for stateless individuals If you are stateless and are not recognized as a citizen of any country, you could be eligible for British Citizenship. Visa requirements Applicants for Tier 1 Investor and Innovator visas must comply with the following requirements: The main applicant must be at least 18 years old. This advice applies to England. If youre from the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or a British Overseas territory, you must apply by post. When applying as the spouse of a British citizen, there are different British Citizenship eligibility requirements to meet. We will review your case and give you expert advice on how best to proceed with your immigration matter. They must not be: They can't be a referee if they've had a criminal conviction in the last 10 years, unless a certain period of time has passed. The process of booking for consultation is fast and easy. If youre aged 60 to 64 and can show youre unlikely to learn English before you turn 65, the Home Office might agree you dont have to prove your knowledge of English. Naturalization, if you are a long-term UK resident. If you were out of the UK for a long time, talk to an adviser. If something is missing or wrong, the Home Office can refuse to accept your application and you will not get your money back. There are different ways you could meet the requirements if youre a citizen of a country in the EU, European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, or their family member. Another key difference is that you will be able to leave the UK for unlimited periods of time without losing your citizenship status. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will try to make a decision about your application within 6 months, but it might take longer. ", "Spouse visa uk application was successful after working with your staff. All you need to make your exam booking is an email address, debit or credit card and an accepted . You can register to vote on GOV.UK. If you are aged 65 or older when you submit your application; if you are not in the right physical or mental condition to sit the test; or, Proof that you have spent at least five years as a lawful resident in the UK, Your passport or any valid travel document covering the last three years, Criminal record to prove you are of good character, Evidence of freedom from immigration time restrictions, Evidence of your competence in English (unless exempt), The passing certificate of your Life in the UK Test, Identifying the best route for your circumstances, Ensuring that your documents are sufficient before your application is submitted, Completing all application forms to a professional standard, Submitting a Letter of Representation with your application, referring to the merits of your case and relevant case law, Liaising with the Home Office until a decision is reached. Call us: We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. You can prepare for the test by studying the official handbook provided by the Home Office, or through downloading the official app on your mobile device. Its important to be honest and include anything thats relevant to your application - for example, a criminal conviction. Well send you a link to a feedback form. You will need to provide supporting documents including evidence of good character, employment status, prove of identity etc. If your application is unsuccessful, the Home Office will write to you and tell you why. To become a UK national, you must have spent a certain period of time in the UK. Applying for British Citizenship is one of the most important processes you will undertake. You can change your cookie settings at any time. If you did not apply to the EU Settlement Scheme by the deadline, you might still be able to apply. If youve applied online, you can scan your documents and upload them to your online application - you dont have to physically send them to the Home Office. Lawful residential presence in the UK during the qualifying period. There are many requirements for Naturalizing as a British citizen. Types of study visa. Youll have to pay a fee to replace or correct a UK citizenship certificate. For example, the Home Office might decide youre not eligible if you have: broken a condition of your leave in the last 10 years - for example working or claiming public funds without permission. Along with your supporting documentation, the Home Office will require evidence of your current immigration status, as well as any UK visas that you have ever held. Your feedback will help us give millions of people the information they need. Some people are British automatically, without applying. Request a call back from our immigration experts I am happy to receive promotional emails from the IAS. To apply for British Citizenship you need to complete and submit the application form provided by the UKVI, along with all supporting documentation. Note that if your English test certificate has expired the Home Office will only allow it if it was accepted for another UK immigration application or when you settled under Indefinite Leave to Remain or under EU Settled Status. You must pass the Life in the UK test, which covers knowledge of British history, culture, and government Following the UKVIs guidance, applicants who hold a custodial sentence of more than four years will not be considered as good characters, and their application will thus be rejected. Most adults who have migrated to the UK get citizenship by applying to naturalise. If you're 18 or over and your course is at degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to five years. You should check how many days you were outside the UK - if it's over the limit you might be refused. You might still be able to apply for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. However, naturalisation is not an entitlement. You will not get most of your money back if your application is refused - for example, if youre not eligible or you sent the wrong documents. If your husband, wife or civil partner is a British citizen, If you or your family are from the EU, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland or Liechtenstein. We use cookies to improve your experience of our website. NY 10017 For more information on how to apply for a British passport. You can. Language requirements: The applicant must demonstrate their knowledge of English by passing an approved English language test or holding an academic qualification taught in English. To find out if you meet the requirements for British citizenship for either Registration or Naturalization, get in touch using our online inquiry form today. It is also possible to reclaim your status at a future date as long as you still meet the criteria for British nationality. Take 3 minutes to tell us if you found what you needed on our website. For example, check your name is spelled the same. For example, if you change your address. Your children can also apply for British citizenship at the same time as you. The Home Office has a list of people they accept as referees - theyre called acceptable professional persons. News stories, speeches, letters and notices, Reports, analysis and official statistics, Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports, Student visas for courses, degrees and independent schools. However, the two basic ways you can become a citizen are through becoming a naturalized citizen after living in the UK for 5 years, or by marrying a British citizen and living in the country for 3 years. You need to tell the Home Office if you change your personal details during this time. Whether your children are acquiring British citizenship at birth or you are going to apply for this status before they turn 18, they must meet the following eligibility criteria: As stated by the British Nationality Act 1981, the following are the mandatory requirements for UK naturalisation: We have offices located across the UK, including in London,Manchester, or Birmingham. ". All rights reserved. Apart from allowing you to apply for a British citizen passport, British citizenship gives you the opportunity to participate more fully in the life of your local community. You'll also need to meet some other requirements. Let us know. Dont worry we wont send you spam or share your email address with anyone. Dont include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. This will not affect the decision. I doubt I would choose anyone else to help me through my immigration to the UK. Registering is a way of applying for British citizenship. You will need to provide evidence of the following: Both Indefinite Leave to Remain (including permanent residence and EU Settled status) and British Citizenship grant you the right to live, work and study in the UK without any immigration controls. The last step of your UK immigration journey is acquiring British citizenship. Again, if you dont bring these you will not be able to sit the test and you wont get a refund. There are various factors involved when trying to meet the British citizenship requirements. A Student visa allows a person aged 16 and older to study in the UK. You have accepted additional cookies. I am happy to receive promotional emails from the IAS. Call us: Book a one-to-one advice session with one of our legal caseworkers. Immigration requirements for the UK (and the United Kingdom as a whole) are determined by your nationality and the country or countries of citizenship. have lived in the UK for at least 12 months after gaining settlement. Last Update: June 18, 2021. Well send you a link to a feedback form. Before you apply, check the list and the rest of the rules for referees in the nationality guidance on GOV.UK. To receive professional guidance in your British citizenship application and to check if you qualify for it, get in touch with our team of OISC-accredited immigration lawyers. This would mean your absence is counted in the 3 or 5 years youre using in your residence requirement. The deadline to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme for most people was 30 June 2021. Citizenship applications take significantly longer than many other visa applications because it is a far more complex procedure. Now is the perfect time to invest in Scotland, with a massive range of opportunities across the country in all our key growth sectors.