HomeBritish CitizenshipNaturalisation
British naturalisation solicitors
We check your residence and absences, prepare the application, and make the case where something in your history needs explaining. Fixed-fee packages from £936 + VAT.
Written by Dipendra Fakira, Supervising Immigration Caseworker · Reviewed by Georgette Thomas, Principal Solicitor · Last reviewed 12 July 2026
At a glance
Home Office fee
Plus the citizenship ceremony fee
Decision time
Often sooner
Residence needed
3 if married to a British citizen
Absence limit
And 90 in the final 12 months
Home Office fees and thresholds change - check gov.uk for the current figures. We confirm them in writing when we quote you.
Who can apply
You can usually apply if you hold indefinite leave to remain or settled status and have held it for twelve months. If you are married to a British citizen, you can apply as soon as you have settlement.
You must also have been in the UK for at least five years, be of good character, speak English at B1, and have passed the Life in the UK test.
What you need to show
- Settlement held 12 months - not needed if married to a British citizen.
- Five years' residence - three years if married to a British citizen.
- Absences within limits - 450 days over five years, 90 in the last year.
- Good character - including tax, driving and immigration history.
- English at B1 - or a degree taught in English.
- Life in the UK test - booked and passed before you apply.
Absences are where applications go wrong
Most refusals we see are about time spent outside the UK, not about paperwork. The limits are 450 days across the five-year period and 90 days in the final twelve months.
Over the limit? The Home Office can exercise discretion, but only if the application explains why. That explanation is the work - and it is why people instruct an immigration lawyer for this route.
Documents you will need
- Passports, current and expired
- BRP or eVisa
- Travel history
- Life in the UK certificate
- English test or degree
- Two referees
- Proof of address
What it costs
| Service | Our fixed fee |
|---|---|
Full naturalisation package Merits assessment, documents, form, submission and updates until decision | £936–£1,782 + VAT |
Initial consultation Best first step if you are unsure about absences | from £50 + VAT |
Not included in our fee
Home Office fees, the ceremony fee, the Life in the UK test and English tests are paid separately.
Do you qualify for British citizenship?
Naturalisation questions
It is the process by which an adult who is not British becomes a British citizen, usually after a period of lawful residence including a period of settled status or indefinite leave to remain.
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.
Yes, unless you are exempt. You will also need to meet the English language requirement.
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.
Children usually apply by registration rather than naturalisation. We often run both applications together.
Unsure whether your absences rule you out?
Book an initial consultation from £50 + VAT. We will count them properly and tell you whether to apply now or wait.