| Citizenship
and Naturalisation
Once a person has had indefinite leave to remain
for a year they may apply for naturalisation as
a British citizen.
Once a candidate has been physically resident
in the UK for a year as a permanent resident,
they may apply to become a naturalised British
citizen. Unfortunately, naturalisation applications
are likely to take one to one and half years to
be processed. Those who seek naturalisation other
than by marriage to an UK Citizen must meet the
requirements outlined below:
General Requirements:
•
They must be aged 18 or over and
are not of unsound mind.
•
They must be of good character.
•
They should have a sufficient knowledge of the
English language (or Welsh or
Scottish Gaelic). There are exemptions to this
requirement, for example if
one is old or mentally handicapped.
•
They should intend to live in the UK or in Crown
Service abroad (working directly
for an UK Government organisation), or be employed
by an international organisation
of which the UK is a member, or be employed by
a company or association established in the United
Kingdom.
In addition the candidate should have fulfilled
the five year requirement as detailed below. The
five year period is measured from the five years
the date the application reaches the home office.
•
The candidate must have been in the United Kingdom
at the beginning of the
5 year period; and
•
In the 5 year period the candidate must not have
been outside the United Kingdom
for more than 450 days; and
•
In the last 12 months of the five year period
the candidate must not have been
outside the UK for more than 90 days; and
•
In the last 12 months of the five year period
the candidate's stay in the United
Kingdom must have been not subject to any time
limit under the immigration
laws; and
•
The candidate must not have been in the United
Kingdom in breach of the immigration
laws at any time in the 5-year period.
|