Check your residence, absences, referees and evidence before you pay a fee that is not refunded on refusal.
Start the eligibility checkContact usThe government has announced a new Earned Settlement system. Under the proposals the default wait for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) would be 10 years, with shorter or longer pathways depending on your route, earnings, record and use of public funds. Time on some routes, such as Student, Graduate and Youth Mobility, would not count. No start date has been published, and the current rules apply until the new rules are in force. Contact us to look at your position.
Check your positionWho can apply for British citizenship
Most adults apply by naturalisation. The usual requirements are:
Settled status. You must hold ILR or settled status, or be exempt as a spouse or civil partner of a British citizen.
Residence. In general you must have lived in the UK for five years before applying. If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, the period is three years.
A wait after settlement. Most applicants must have held ILR for at least 12 months. Spouses of British citizens are exempt from this wait.
Limits on absences. You must not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK in the five-year period, and not more than 90 days in the last 12 months. Check the rules for the three-year route.
English language and the Life in the UK test. Both are normally required, with exemptions for age or health in some cases.
Good character. Criminal convictions, immigration breaches, dishonesty and some financial conduct are considered.
Intention to live in the UK. You must plan to make your home in the UK, or to work abroad in specific roles.
People also ask about other ways to become British, such as registration for children and some people with British parents or grandparents. We can assess these at initial advice.
Why applications are refused
Citizenship refusals usually come from avoidable issues:
Miscounting absences, including trips of one or two days that are counted;
Applying too early, before the residence or wait period has run;
Undisclosed past issues, such as an old immigration breach or a caution;
Inconsistent dates across passports, forms and earlier applications;
Referees who do not meet the requirements.
The Home Office does not refund the fee on refusal. That is why a check before you apply is worth considering.
What we check before you apply
At initial advice and document check, we review:
Your dates of entry and exit from every passport you have used;
Your immigration history and any gaps in leave;
The date and status of your ILR or settled status;
Your English language and Life in the UK evidence;
Criminal record and character issues you must declare;
Referee suitability and details.
If something may count against you, we explain the risk and what, if anything, you can do about it. We cannot hide information or change the facts.
Referees for British citizenship
A large number of people search for how to find a referee. You need two referees: one must be a British citizen with a professional standing, and the other a British citizen, aged 25 or over, who has known you for at least three years. They cannot be related to you or to each other, and they cannot be an immigration adviser or solicitor acting for you. We explain the rules and check your referees' details before you submit. Referee rules have changed in the past, so verify the current wording on GOV.UK before publishing this paragraph.
Fees and costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Home Office naturalisation fee | £1,709 |
| Citizenship ceremony | Around £80 |
| Life in the UK test | £50 per attempt |
| English test, if needed | Varies by provider |
| Our initial advice | £60 to £125 |
| Our document check | £200 to £700 |
| Our application support | £400 to £1,050 |
Searches such as "british citizenship solicitor fees" mostly come from people comparing options. Our fee is set in writing before work begins, and our scope is clear. Read solicitor or IAA adviser to compare.
Citizenship for families and children
Children born in the UK or to British parents may already be British. Others can be registered as British citizens under various provisions, with their own fees and rules. Registration is different from naturalisation. If you have children, tell us at the start so we can assess each person's route.
How we help
Initial advice. We review your eligibility and risks.
Document check. We find gaps in dates, evidence and referees.
Full application support. We prepare the application, complete the forms and submit with you.
After the decision. We explain the ceremony and passport steps.
Two minutes online.
Dates, absences and risks.
Evidence and referees.
Prepared and submitted with you.
Ceremony and passport.
Applying from outside the UK
Most British citizenship applications by naturalisation are made from inside the UK, since you need to be present for biometrics and your residence is tested. If you live abroad part of the year or intend to move, we can review your absences and your options before you apply. We advise and represent clients wherever they live.
How citizenship connects to your earlier applications
The route usually runs from a visa to ILR to citizenship. The Government has announced proposed Earned Settlement changes, which would lengthen the default wait for ILR to 10 years, so citizenship may come later for some applicants. No start date has been published. Our guides on spouse and partner visas, Skilled Worker visas and ILR explain the earlier steps. Keeping your documents in order from the start makes citizenship simpler.
What we do not do
We do not guarantee outcomes. If your application is refused, we can explain what happened and whether a new application makes sense.
How much does a British citizenship application cost?
The Home Office fee is £1,709, plus the ceremony fee, the Life in the UK test and any English test. Our fee is separate.
How long must I live in the UK before applying?
Normally five years, or three if married to a British citizen, plus the ILR wait for most applicants.
How many days abroad are allowed?
Generally no more than 450 in five years and 90 in the last 12 months.
Do I need a solicitor?
No. You can apply yourself or use a regulated adviser or solicitor.
Who can be my referee?
Two British citizens who know you, one of professional standing. They cannot be your relatives or your adviser.
What if my application is refused?
The fee is not refunded. Talk to us about the reasons and your options.
This page is general information, not advice on your case. Rules and fees change; always check GOV.UK.
Check your eligibility before you pay the fee. Start the check or contact us.
Discuss Your Immigration Legal Strategy
Meet Our Team
Bill Zahr
Principal Lawyer & Managing Director
Bill Zahr (LLB Hons) leads Noble Rose Immigration Service with a methodical, "law-first" approach. Guided by the ethos ‘Navigare per Legem’, Bill combines rigorous legal expertise with genuine empathy to navigate complex UK immigration cases. Formerly of a top-tier UK firm, he ensures every client receives transparent, elite, and personalised care.
Renzel Carlos
Client Relations Manager & Immigration Paralegal
Renzel Carlos (LLB Hons, First Class) is the primary liaison at Noble Rose Immigration Service. Currently undertaking the Bar Vocational Studies (BVS) programme, she combines a meticulous legal foundation with deep frontline experience. Renzel is dedicated to guiding clients through the emotional complexities of immigration with high-level professionalism, precision, and compassionate care.
