Speak to an Immigration Lawyer today01204 531 535Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm07875 622 154
Compass Immigration Law

Home → British Citizenship

British citizenship solicitors

There are two ways to become British: naturalisation, if you are settled here, and registration, if you are already entitled. We work out which applies to you before you spend a penny on the Home Office fee.

A solicitor advising a client on British citizenship

The two routes side by side

NaturalisationRegistration
Who it is forSettled adultsChildren and those already entitled
Life in the UK testYesNo, for under-18s
English requirementYes, B1No, for under-18s
Good characterYesYes, from age 10

Requirements change. We confirm the current position when we quote you - check gov.uk for Home Office fees.

Citizenship questions

The same answers appear on the naturalisation and registration pages, so you get one consistent answer wherever you land.

There is a qualifying residence period, and a further period of holding settled status before you can apply. The requirement differs for applicants married to a British citizen.

There are limits on how many days you can have spent outside the UK during the qualifying period, and a tighter limit for the final year. The Home Office can sometimes exercise discretion over excess absences, but not always.

The Home Office assesses your immigration history, criminal record, financial conduct including tax, and any deception. Undisclosed issues cause more refusals than the issues themselves.

That depends on the law of your country of nationality, not on UK law. Check with your own embassy before you apply.

Not always. It depends on the immigration status of the parents at the time of birth. Many UK born children are entitled to register but are not British automatically.

Check you are eligible before you apply

A refused citizenship application costs you the Home Office fee. An initial consultation from £50 + VAT costs a great deal less.