British Nationality / Citizenship
For those not entitled to British citizenship by birth or descent it is possible to naturalise to become a British citizen. The requirements for naturalisation as a British citizen are:
- residence and settlement (having Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)) in the UK
- language abilities & knowledge of life in the UK
- good character
- intention to live in the UK
- taking an oath of allegiance at a Citizenship Ceremony.
The requirements are slightly different for people who are married to British citizens and for those who are not. For those who are not married to a British citizen they must have been living in the UK for five years and to have had ILR for at least one year. For those who are married to a British citizen, they must have lived in the UK for three years and must have ILR at the time they apply.
The Home Office has introduced citizenship ceremonies for those who are about to become British. It is necessary to first show that the applicant speaks English to the required level and a Life in the UK test has been passed prior to making the naturalisation application.
The Home Office has recently tightened up on the ‘good character’ requirements for British citizenship. Applications for British citizenship will normally be refused if the applicant has been convicted of a criminal offence and the conviction has not yet become 'spent' in accordance with the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Home Office may decide to ignore a single conviction for a minor offence if it resulted in a bind over, conditional discharge or small fine, if the applicant is suitable for citizenship in every other way. The Home Office will only ignore "regulatory" offences such as speeding. They will not ignore offences involving dishonesty such as theft, violence or sexual offences. They will also not ignore drink-driving offences or convictions for driving while uninsured or disqualified.
