Can I become a British citizen?

For people with indefinite leave to remain, settled status, or who are married to a British citizen or are Irish citizens.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

It depends on your situation:

With indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or settled status: usually once you've lived in the UK for 5 years and had ILR or settled status for 12 months.
Married to a British citizen: after 3 years living in the UK, with ILR or settled status.
Irish citizen: after 5 years living in the UK.

Being born in the UK doesn't automatically make you British. For advice on your own case, speak to a regulated immigration adviser.

Key facts

5 years in UK, ILR for 12 months
Spouse route: 3 years
Birth in UK not automatic

What British citizenship means

Becoming a British citizen (called naturalisation) gives you permanent membership of the UK. You can apply for a British passport. You officially become a citizen at a citizenship ceremony, when you get your certificate.

Who can apply

The main routes are:

Your situation	Usual time in the UK
You have ILR or settled status	5 years, with ILR or settled status for the last 12 months
Married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen	3 years, with ILR or settled status
Irish citizen	5 years
Pre-settled status (EU Settlement Scheme, living in the UK by 31 December 2020)	5 years in a row working, studying or self-sufficient, then another year before you apply (unless your spouse or partner is British)

Other routes cover people born in the UK, people with a British parent, stateless people and Windrush cases.

The requirements

If you apply on the ILR route you must:

be 18 or over
have lived in the UK for 5 years
not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK in those 5 years, or more than 90 days in the last 12 months
be of good character
prove your knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic
pass the Life in the UK test

If you are married to a British citizen, you need 3 years in the UK, with no more than 270 days away in those 3 years and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months.

English language

You usually need English at level B1 or higher. You can prove it with an approved English test (a Secure English Language Test) or a degree taught or researched in English. You do not need to prove it if you are 65 or over, have a long term condition that stops you, or are from certain countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA.

How much it costs

Fee	Amount
Application	£1,709
Citizenship ceremony	£130
Total	£1,839

Giving your fingerprints and photo is free.

How to apply

Check you meet the time and absence rules.
Pass the Life in the UK test and get your English evidence ready.
Apply and pay £1,839.
Give your fingerprints and photo.
Wait for a decision, usually within 6 months.
If approved, attend your ceremony within 3 months of your invitation.

Things to know

Being born in the UK does not automatically make you British. It depends on your birth date and your parents.
At the ceremony you make an oath (or affirmation) and a pledge. Your local council runs it.
The rules are the same across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For advice on your own case, speak to a regulated immigration adviser.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Check your options

Common questions

How long until I can get ILR?

You can usually apply after 5 years in the UK.

Official sources

1.Check if you can become a British citizenwww.gov.uk/british-citizenship
2.Apply for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remainwww.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-indefinite-leave-to-remain

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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