Applying for British Citizenship after ILR

After ILR When Can I Apply for Citizenship?

In some situations it is possible to apply for British citizenship as soon as you are given Indefinite leave to remain status. However, this is only the case for anyone who is already married or in a civil partnership with a British citizen. If this applies to you then you are able to submit an British citizenship application straightaway.

In addition, any child aged under 18 can apply for British citizenship straightaway if their parent or guardian already holds Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status.

However, in the majority of cases, you must have held Indefinite Leave to Remain for a minimum of one year before you can apply to become a British citizen – and this is in addition to time spent in the UK in order to qualify for ILR which is 5 year. Therefore, for most people applying for British citizenship the process can involve living in the UK for a six year period at least.

Applying for British Citizenship after ILR

The timeframe for applying for citizenship after ILR varies depending on your circumstances, such as if you are:

• A standard ILR holder
• The spouse of a British citizen
• Applying from the EU Settlement Scheme.

Standard ILR holders

If you hold ILR under the standard five-year route, you must usually wait at least 12 months after being granted ILR before you can apply for British citizenship. This is in addition to the initial period you spent in the UK to qualify for ILR, typically five years. Most applicants must have lived lawfully in the UK for at least six years before applying for naturalisation.

New ILR Rules for Work Visa Holders

Note that with the release of the UK’s Immigration White Paper, the pathway to ILR and citizenship will change after April 2026 to ensure immigrants contribute long-term to earn the right to stay permanently in the UK. 

Under the proposed new rules, most migrants will qualify for settlement after ten years of residence, rather than five. Immigrants who have made contributions to the UK economy and society will be able to earn points to qualify after a shorter period of continuous residence. 

Additionally, the five-year qualifying period will remain in place for certain applicants, including dependents of British citizens, such as spouses and children. 

Spouses of British Citizens

If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you can apply for citizenship immediately after obtaining ILR. There is no additional 12-month waiting period in this case. However, you must still meet all the other requirements for naturalisation, such as language proficiency, the Life in the UK Test, and residence rules.

Applicants under the EU Settlement Scheme

Individuals granted settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme must generally follow the same rules as standard ILR holders. This means a 12-month waiting period after receiving settled status unless they are married to a British citizen.

Difference Between ILR and Citizenship in UK?

Indefinite Leave to Remain usually takes at least five years of living continuously in the UK on a qualifying visa. There are some visas that allow this length of time to be shortened and settled status to be granted early. You should seek advice from qualified immigration experts to find the exact time limit on being granted indefinite leave.

Those who hold ILR status are able to remain in the UK to live, work and study for an unlimited period of time completely free of immigration control and immigration rules. However, there are not a British national and therefore do not have the same rights as a British citizen.

There are a number of benefits to holding British citizenship compared to ILR status. One of the key advantages is that your immigration status become permanent and you are able to have permanent residence in the UK for life.

British citizenship also means you can apply for a British passport and are free to travel in and out of the UK without any immigration time restrictions on your return.

In addition, becoming a British citizen under UK immigration law entitles you to the following benefits which are not accessible under ILR status:

• Right to vote in general and local elections
• Access to NHS medical care
• Potentially British citizenship for your family members, such as children and your partner if they are not already a UK citizen
• No immigration restrictions on your right to work/study/live in the UK and hold a British passport

Requirements for British Citizenship after ILR

You must meet a specific set of criteria to apply for British citizenship. Here is a checklist of what you need to qualify, if you hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status:

Residency Requirement

If you are applying for naturalisation as a standard ILR holder, you must demonstrate that you have been in the UK for at least 5 years before the date of your application. If you are the spouse of a British citizen, you only need to prove that they have lived in the UK for at least 3 years before the date of their application. 

In line with the residency requirement, you must provide evidence that:

• You were present in the UK at the start of your 3-year or 5-year qualifying period.
• You have not spent more than 270 days outside the UK during a 3-year qualifying period or 450 days outside the UK during a 5-year qualifying period. 
• You have not spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months. 
• You must not have lived illegally in the 3-year or 5-year qualifying period.

In calculating if you meet the residency requirement, you cannot include any time spent in the UK when you were exempt from immigration control, such as if you stayed in the country as a diplomat. 

Language and Life in the UK Test Requirement

You may be required to prove your knowledge of English to apply for citizenship. With the release of the UK’s Immigration White Paper in May 2025, English requirements for ILR is set to be a minimum of B2 from the old requirement of B1. Applicants will also need to demonstrate that their English skills improve over time. As such, when applying for citizenship, the minimum requirement might increase.

You can demonstrate your proficiency in English by either taking and passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT), such as the IELTS or submitting a recognised degree taught or researched in English.

You may also have to take the Life in the UK test to demonstrate that you understand the history and customs of the United Kingdom. The test has questions taken from the Life in the UK handbook. To pass, you must score at least 75%, which is 18 correct questions out of 24. 

If you are under 18, over 65, or unable to take standardised testing due to a long-term medical condition, you will be exempt from meeting the language proficiency and Life in the UK requirements.

Good Character Requirement

A key requirement to naturalise as a British citizen is to be of good character. To be of good character means:

• You have no serious or recent criminal convictions
• You have complied with UK laws and tax obligations
• You have not committed any immigration offences such as overstaying a visa or misrepresenting facts in a visa application. 

Referee Requirement

You will need two referees to endorse your British citizenship application. At least one must be a professional, such as a teacher, accountant, or solicitor. The other referee must be a British citizen and either a professional or at least 25 years old. Your referees must not be related to you and must have known you personally for at least three years.

Applying for British Citizenship with Settled Status

It is possible to apply online for British citizenship and this is often the easiest way to complete the required application form. You are able to submit the required documents online as well as paying the application fee directly.

When starting the application process you should make sure you have all the supporting documents to hand including:

• Your current passport and any Biometric Residence Permit
• Evidence of your marriage (if you are applying as a spouse or civil partner)
• Evidence of your lawful residence in the UK
• Proof of your Life in the UK test and knowledge of the English language

All of these documents should be in English or Welsh. If they are not then you must submit certified translated copies otherwise you could face delays to your UK citizenship application.

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the British citizenship application process.

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents

Before you begin your application, gather all the necessary documents. These may include:

• Your current passport
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applying as the spouse of a British citizen)
• Proof of lawful residence, such as utility bills and tenancy agreements
• Life in the UK Test pass certificate
• Evidence of meeting the English language requirement

All documents must be in English or Welsh. If not, you must provide certified translations to avoid delays.

Step 2: Submit the Online Application

Apply online via the official UK Government website. You should complete the naturalisation form. Ensure you:

• Answer all questions truthfully
• Include accurate contact details, especially your phone number and email
• Upload digital copies of your supporting documents.

Afterward, pay the application fee, which is currently £1,605  and the citizenship ceremony fee of£130. 

Step 3: Book Your UKVCAS Appointment

After submitting the form, you will be directed to book an appointment with UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services). You must provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) during this appointment. If you didn’t upload your documents during the online application, you can submit them at your UKVCAS appointment.

Step 5: Await a Decision

The Home Office will review your application and make a decision in six months, but timelines may vary. You may be contacted if additional documents or clarification are needed. Ensure your contact details are up to date to avoid delays. While you wait, you can legally stay in the UK under your settled status.

ILR to Citizenship Timeline Examples by Route

It’s essential to understand when you can apply for British citizenship after being granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). To help clarify the process, here are example timelines for common UK immigration routes.

Skilled Worker Visa → ILR → Citizenship

• March 2019: Arrives in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa
• March 2024: Granted ILR after 5 years of lawful residence
• April 2025: Eligible to apply for British citizenship (must hold ILR for 12 months)

Innovator Founder Visa→ ILR → Citizenship

Holders of the Innovator Founder visa and certain holders of the Global Talent visa have a fast-track route to settlement, and here’s an example:

• March 2021: Arrives in the UK on an Innovator Founder visa
• March 2024: Granted ILR after 3 years of lawful residence
• April 2025: Eligible to apply for British citizenship (must hold ILR for 12 months)

Spouse or Civil Partner of a British Citizen → ILR → Citizenship

• January 2021: Arrives in the UK on a Spouse Visa
• October 2023: Visa extended for 2.5 years
• January 2026: Granted ILR after 3 years of lawful residence
• January 2026:  Eligible to apply for citizenship immediately (no 12-month wait required)

EU Settlement Scheme (Settled Status) → Citizenship

Not Married to a British Citizen:

• June 2016: Begins residence in the UK
• June 2021: Granted Settled Status 
• June 2022: Eligible to apply for British citizenship (12 months after Settled Status)

Married to a British Citizen:

• August 2017: Begins residence in the UK
• August 2022: Granted Settled Status
• August 2022: Eligible to apply for citizenship immediately (as spouse of a British citizen)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When applying for British citizenship, avoid the following mistakes to prevent delays, rejections, or the need to reapply:

Applying Too Early 

Unless you’re the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen, most applicants must wait 12 full months after being granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) before applying for citizenship. Submitting an application too early will likely lead to refusal.

Failing to Meet Residency Requirements

Even if you meet every other requirement for British citizenship, spending too many days outside the UK can result in your application being refused. 

Similarly, not being physically present in the UK on the exact calendar date five years before the day your application is received can lead to a refusal. Many applicants overlook this requirement and apply on the wrong date.

The only exception to the residency rule is if there are compelling personal circumstances such as serious illness, essential overseas work, or a family emergency that prevented you from meeting the requirement. Such exceptions must be clearly explained and supported with evidence.

Providing Incorrect or Ineligible Referee Information

Using referees who don’t meet these criteria, such as family members or recent acquaintances, can delay or invalidate your application.

Post-Approval Steps & BRP Return

Once your application for British citizenship is approved, you’ll need to complete a few important steps to transition into your new status.

Receive Your Citizenship Invitation Letter

You will receive an official letter or email from the Home Office confirming that your application has been successful. Your letter will include an invitation to attend a citizenship ceremony, typically held at your local council office.

Attend the Citizenship Ceremony

You must attend your citizenship ceremony within 3 months of receiving your approval letter. At the ceremony, you’ll make an oath or affirmation of allegiance and receive your Certificate of Naturalisation, which is your legal proof of British citizenship.

Apply for a British Passport

You can apply for your first British passport once you’ve received your Certificate of Naturalisation. You’ll need to submit:

• Your naturalisation certificate
• A passport photo
• Your old passport or travel document.

Applications can be submitted online for £94.50 or via post for £107, and processing typically takes 3 weeks.

The British Citizen Ceremony

Once your application to become a British citizen is successful. You will be invited to attend a British citizenship ceremony and receive your certificate of citizenship.

It is important that you attend this ceremony within 90 days otherwise you could risk having to reapply to become a British citizen again.

The ceremony can be booked via your local authority/council. As part of the ceremony you will swear allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen and declare an oath of loyalty to the United Kingdom.

How Can IAS Help you Apply for British Citizenship?

A certificate of British Citizenship is an important document that proves your right to live and work in the UK indefinitely without being subject to any immigration restrictions.

IAS can help. We are expert legal advisers specialising in UK immigration law, with years’ worth of experience helping individuals with their immigration issues. We can help establish your eligibility for a certificate of entitlement, assist you throughout the application process, and even liaise with the Home Office to keep track of your application as it gets processed.

For more information about the services we offer and how we can help you, get in touch with us today on +44 (0)333 414 9244, or talk to us online today.