BRITISH CITIZENSHIP: NATURALISATION GENERAL CRITERIA
This page provides details of the requirements you need to meet for us to naturalise you as a British citizen. If you are married to or a civil partner of a British citizen, the requirements you need to meet are different.
If you meet the requirements for naturalisation you should go to the applying for naturalisation as a British citizen section for details of how to apply.
There are seven requirements you need to meet before you apply, these are based on your:
- age and;
- you are of sound mind; and
- your intension to continue to live in the United Kingdom, or to continue in crown service, the service of an international organisation of which the United Kingdom is a member, or the service of a company or association established in the United Kingdom; and
- you can communicate in English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic to an acceptable degree; and
- you have sufficient knowledge of life in the United Kingdom; and
- you are of good character; and
- you meet the residential requirements (for further information, please contact an adviser)
European Economic Area nationals and Swiss nationals
If you are a European Economic Area (EEA) national or a Swiss national or the family member of such a person, you will automatically have permanent residence status if you have exercised EEA free-movement rights in the United Kingdom for a continuous five-year period ending on or after 30 April 2006. You do not have to apply for leave to remain. You should have held permanent residence status for 12 months before you apply for naturalisation.
If you have been outside the United Kingdom for six months or more in any one of the five years of the residence period you will have broken your residence. Exceptions apply, please enquire for details.
Crown service
Residential requirements and discretion may apply when considering absences.
If you are applying on the grounds of your own crown service rather than your residence in the United Kingdom you must show that you:
- are serving overseas is crown service on the date your application is received; and
- have been the holder of a responsible post overseas; and
- have given outstanding service, normally over a substantial period; and
- have a close connection with the United Kingdom.
Crown service is an alternative only to the residence requirements for naturalisation. You must still meet the other requirements for naturalisation.