For Individuals
British Citizenship

Apply for British Citizenship Through Naturalisation

How to qualify for British citizenship, what it costs, and how Immtell, an Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) regulated firm, prepares your naturalisation application.
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Check Eligibility
What naturalisation is
Becoming a British Citizen

British citizenship through naturalisation is the process by which an adult who holds ILR or settled status becomes a British citizen. It gives you a UK passport, the right to vote, and a status that does not expire and carries no immigration conditions. Most people qualify after six years in the UK (or five if married to a British citizen), having held ILR or settled status first.

Key Takeaways

Who can apply

Those who hold ILR or settled status and meet the residence, test, and good character rules. Five-year route, or three years if married to a British citizen.

ILR wait

On the standard route you must hold ILR or settled status for at least 12 months before applying. Partners of British citizens do not need the 12-month wait.
Home Office fee
Currently £1,709 (from 8 April 2026), including the citizenship ceremony. Separate from any professional fee. Verify at GOV.UK.
Regulated advice
Immtell is on the IAA register (Registration No. F202200109), rated 5.0 from Google reviews. Only IAA or SRA registered firms can legally advise.
Is this page for you?

Where You Are in Your Journey

This page is for individuals who hold ILR or settled status (or will soon) and want to become British citizens.

Do not yet hold ILR

If you do not yet hold ILR or settled status, that is your first step. See Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

Hold ILR and ready

If you hold ILR or settled status and have met the residence and good character rules, you may be ready to naturalise now. A consultation confirms your timing.

Applying for a child

If you are applying for a child, child registration usually applies rather than naturalisation. A consultation can confirm the right route.
2026 update

How Proposed Settlement Changes Could Affect Your Citizenship Timeline

The UK Government has proposed significant changes to the rules for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), including the introduction of an "earned settlement" system that could increase the time some individuals must spend in the UK before qualifying for settlement.

These proposals have not yet been implemented, and the final requirements, timescales and transitional arrangements remain subject to confirmation.

As most applicants must obtain ILR or settled status before applying for British citizenship, any changes to settlement eligibility could also affect when you are able to apply for naturalisation.If you are approaching eligibility for ILR or British citizenship, we recommend seeking advice to understand how any future changes may affect your circumstances.

Who prepares your application

A Regulated UK Immigration Specialist

Your application is handled by a regulated UK immigration specialist, not a general agency.

Immtell’s founder, Gavin Webster, spent 13+ years inside the UK Home Office as a Port Immigration Officer, Immigration Enforcement Officer, and Visa Officer at British diplomatic missions overseas, then a further period in senior advisory roles at EY, PwC and Vialto Partners. That is 23+ years of UK immigration experience in total.

Immtell is on the IAA register (Immigration Advice Authority, formerly OISC), Registration No. F202200109, and is rated 5.0 from 66 Google reviews. Only IAA or SRA registered firms can legally provide UK immigration advice.

Why it matters.

Why Apply for British Citizenship

Citizenship matters because it makes your status in the UK permanent and unconditional, and gives you rights that settlement alone does not.

A British passport: The right to a UK passport and visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to many countries.

No immigration conditions ever again: Citizenship does not expire and is not subject to the residence rules that can affect ILR.

The right to vote: Full participation, including voting in all UK elections.

Security for your family: A settled base, with children born to you in the UK afterwards normally British automatically.

People celebrating with Union Jack flags after becoming British citizens
An honest fit.

Is This Service Right for You?

Right for you
Not right for you
You hold ILR or settled status (or will soon) and want to become a British citizen.
You want your residence, absences, and good character checked before you commit the Home Office fee.
You have a complication (absences over the limit, a gap in records, a tax or character issue) and need it assessed properly.
You want a regulated adviser to prepare and manage the application end to end.
Book a Consultation
You do not yet hold ILR or settled status; start with Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) →
You are applying for a child; child registration, not naturalisation, usually applies.
You want a guaranteed result; no regulated adviser can promise a Home Office decision.
Still have questions?
Book a Consultation
How it works.

How Immtell Prepares Your Naturalisation Application

Immtell prepares and manages your naturalisation application end to end, so it is complete, evidenced, and submitted correctly.
1
Eligibility consultation
2
Document preparation
3
Submission
4
Ceremony and after
Adviser reviewing documents with a client during a citizenship application consultation

Eligibility consultation

We confirm your route (five-year or three-year), check your residence and absences, and flag anything that needs care, such as good character or test exemptions.
Person reviewing paperwork and documents for a British citizenship application

Document preparation

We build and check the residence, identity, and referee evidence the Home Office requires.
Close-up of hands typing on a laptop while completing a citizenship application

Submission

We prepare and submit the application and keep you updated through to the decision.
Couple opening an envelope, awaiting their British citizenship decision

Ceremony and after

Once approved, we guide you through the citizenship ceremony and what happens next, including your first British passport.
Every application is prepared personally by a qualified, IAA-regulated adviser. Immtell cannot guarantee an outcome; it can guarantee careful, accountable preparation.
Eligibility.

Who Qualifies to Naturalise

You can usually apply to naturalise if you meet all of the following. The evidence differs between the five-year standard route and the three-year partner route.

Residence

Normally five years’ lawful residence in the UK (three years if you are married to or the civil partner of a British citizen). On the standard five-year route you must also have held ILR or settled status for at least 12 months. Partners of British citizens do not need the 12-month wait but must hold ILR or settled status when they apply.

Absences

On the five-year route, no more than 450 days outside the UK over the five years and no more than 90 days in the final 12 months. On the three-year route, no more than 270 days over three years. The Home Office can exercise discretion in some cases.

Life in the UK test

Passed before you apply.

English language

Level B1 or above in speaking and listening, unless you are exempt (for example by age 65 or over, by nationality, or by holding a relevant degree taught in English).

Good character

Including tax compliance, no serious or recent criminal record, and a clean immigration history.
Confirm the requirements for your exact circumstances at GOV.UK, or in a consultation.
What naturalisation costs

Home Office Fees

The main cost is the Home Office naturalisation fee, currently £1,709 (from 8 April 2026), which already includes the citizenship ceremony fee. This is a government fee, separate from any professional fee.
Home Office fee.
Payable to the Home Office

£1,709

From 8 April 2026, including the citizenship ceremony. Government fees change; verify at GOV.UK.
Book a Consultation

Other costs

Alongside the Home Office fee, budget for the tests and, optionally, professional preparation.
1
Life in the UK test - £50
Paid when you book the test.
2
English test (if not exempt) - £150
Paid to the approved test provider.
3
Professional fee (optional)
Immtell's fee for preparing and managing your application is quoted up front after a consultation. Fixed fees, never hidden charges.
Government fees change
Fees are set by the Home Office and were last increased on 8 April 2026. Always confirm the current amount at GOV.UK →
Want your eligibility checked first?
A consultation confirms your route and checks your residence, absences, and good character before you commit the Home Office fee.
FAQ.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long must I hold ILR before applying for citizenship?

How much does British citizenship cost in 2026?

How many days can I have spent outside the UK?

Do I need to give up my current citizenship?

Can I apply for citizenship at the same time as ILR?

Will the potential 2026 settlement changes delay my citizenship?

Ready to Become a British Citizen?

Book a consultation and Gavin will confirm your route, check your residence and absences, and set out the next step. Before your call, it helps to note your ILR date, your travel dates outside the UK over your qualifying period, and any tax or character points.
Book a Consultation
Further Reading.

Go Deeper,Verify the Facts.

Explore related Immtell guides on sponsor licensing, then check the details against official government sources.

Immtell Guides

UK Minister of Religion Visa (T2)

Explore

UK International Sportsperson Visa (T2)

Explore

UK Construction Immigration - Visa Options for Employers

Explore

UK Ancestry Visa

Explore

Travel After Citizenship Ceremony - Before First British Passport

Explore

UK Innovator Founder Visa

Explore

Official Government Sources

GOV.UK

UK visa types and eligibility

GOV.UK

Current visa and immigration fees

IAA Register

Verify Immtell's registration

GOV.UK

Life in the UK Test (ILR and citizenship)

Testimonials.

What clients say about working with Immtell.

The sponsor duties training delivered by Gavin at Immtell was engaging, practical and tailored to our team. It gave us peace of mind and helped us tighten up our internal checks.

Salma Bibi
MedTech

We needed help to build a team, Immtell helped us understand what we could and should do to recruit from overseas. It's been a game changer for our property company.

Richard Lee
Property Management

Immtell took the stress out of sponsoring our new data scientist from India. From requesting our defined CoS to visa approval, every step was handled with professionalism and speed. A brilliant partner for any sponsor.

Rajiv Patel
Financial Services

Thanks to Immtell, we now sponsor several international teachers across our network. They made a complex regulatory process easy to understand and implement. Highly recommended for the education sector.

Olivia Hart
Education

We're a boutique firm that needed expert advice on sponsoring overseas legal professionals. Immtell's support was invaluable, and their training helped us build confidence internally to manage our responsibilities.

Natalia Petrova
Legal

We didn't know where to begin with sponsoring overseas talent. Immtell guided us from sponsorship licence application through to onboarding our first international UX designer. Their advice was always clear, timely and spot on.

Matt O'Connell
Creative/Digital

We took advantage of Immtell's remote compliance check and were blown away by the detail. The resulting report highlighted issues we hadn't even considered and gave us the tools to fix them before they became problems.

Marcus Wright
Architecture & Design

Our sponsor licence audit with Immtell was a wake-up call. Gavin and the team helped us address gaps and gave us practical advice. We now feel completely confident if the Home Office were to knock on the door.

Louise Garner
Renewable Energy

We've used Immtell for several Skilled Worker visa renewals. They're proactive, responsive and never miss a detail. A reliable extension of our HR team.

James Flint
Transport & Logistics

We recently used Gavin's services for our business and he was fantastic, the turnaround was incredibly quick, and he was more than helpful throughout. Would absolutely recommend.

Hannah

We were struggling to get approval on our CoS requests until we started working with Gavin and Immtell. They helped us frame the justification clearly and get things over the line quickly. Gavin's understanding of Home Office expectations is second to none.

David Lin
Engineering & Robotics

Gavin has been truly amazing in assisting me with my priority CoS slots. I have been trying for more than 3 weeks to get one but couldn't. Gavin helped me get it in very first attempt. It was lovely working with him. Definitely would recommend him if you want a smooth and fast service.

Damini Naidu

We approached Immtell to help us secure a sponsor licence as we scaled our research team. Their insight and clear guidance made a complex process feel straightforward. Within weeks, we had our licence and were ready to hire globally.

Claire Thompson
Life Sciences

I don't have words to thank Gavin and his team. I have been struggling to get my priority slot for past one month. But Gavin made it happen in just one day. It completely feels like magic come live. Thanks a lot Immtell team for your help.

Anbu Arasan

He showed up on time, he is extremely informed about the whole immigration process and provides valuable insights and provides a plethora of options for your specific case. Definitely would work with him again!

Alicia Cedron

Immtell supported us through our sponsor licence application at a time when we urgently needed to recruit care staff from overseas. The advice was practical, clear, and always tailored to our sector. Thanks to their help, we were able to bring in our first international recruits and continue growing our care team.

Adanna Okafor
Domiciliary Care
Last reviewed: 26 October 2026

Last reviewed: 26 October 2026.This page is reviewed and updated within 5 working days of any Home Office Statement of Changes affecting sponsor licence compliance duties, right to work checking requirements, or civil penalty levels. Immtell is on the IAA register, Registration No. F202200109. For current official sponsor duty guidance, see GOV.UK →