Becoming a British Citizen is a milestone for many people. This allows you to avail the same rights and benefits as other UK Citizens, such as, the right to live, right to work, and right to vote in the UK. But many people don’t have a clear idea about the application process to get British Citizenship. In this blog we will be providing a clear step-by-step guidance. It will elaborately explain each and every information needed for the application process.
Benefits of British Citizenship
It is imperative that you understand what it means to become a British citizen. When applying for naturalisation, that is, being officially recognised as a British citizen, you should be aware of the rights and benefits you will be getting.
Permanent residence of the UK
After becoming a British citizen you don’t need to be worried about the Visa, permits of resident or any time limit. You can live in the UK without any limitations as long as you want.
Work and study without any restrictions
British Citizens can work for any employer, can start their own business and can join any school or university without any special permission.
Free Healthcare Access
National Health Service (NHS) provides to all British Citizens which includes doctor visits, hospital treatments, health checkups and emergency care.
Voting Rights
A British Citizen can participate in the voting process at local and national level which provides you the right to choose leaders.
Travel
British Passport gives you hassle free travel to inter countries without needing a visa and makes it easier to come back to the UK after travelling abroad.
Protection by British Law
One of the important benefits of British Citizenship is to be protected by the law of the country and you can seek help from British embassies whenever any kind of emergency occurs.
Things to Consider Before Applying for Naturalisation
Before you go ahead with the application process, consider a few things. You might have to renounce your current citizenship if your country of current citizenship does not allow dual-citizenship status. You will also be paying quite a hefty amount on successful processing of your application. So, you should have the funds ready in your bank account.
Step-by-step process for a successful application
Applying for British Citizenship includes several steps. You need to go through each one of these for your citizenship to be approved. Let’s find out about the complete process step-by-step.
Check Your Eligibility to Apply for Naturalisation
Start by checking the eligibility criteria. There are a few different categories under which one can apply for naturalisation. Take a look at the eligibility criteria for the one that fits you. The basic requirements are mentioned below:
- The applicant must be 18 years old, unless the applicant is applying as a child.
- The applicant needs to have lived in the UK for at least 5 years. Moreover, there is a waiting period of 12 months after the completion of the mandatory 5 years of stay. So, the person will be able to apply for naturalisation after 6 years. The requirement is reduced to 3 years if the applicant is married to a British Citizen.
- The applicant should not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK during the time period of 5 years before applying. Those who are married to a British Citizen, the time period is 270 days in the past 3 years.
- The applicant must have a clear criminal record and adhere to UK laws.
Pass the ‘Life in the UK’ Test
This is the crucial part of the application of British Citizenship. This test checks your knowledge about British history, British laws and culture. It is to test whether you are aware of the country you are deciding to become a citizen of. It consists of 24 questions. Applicants need to answer 45 minutes of all questions. 18 correct answers need to pass. That means you will be required to score at least 75% to pass.
You can use the official handbook provided by the UK Government for references or take practice tests online for the preparation of the test. Do remember, that this test can be taken multiple times till you have passed.
Gather All Your Documents
You will have to meticulously submit all the necessary documents when you apply for British Citizenship. These include,
- Passport or ID card
- Bank statements Utility Bills or a letter from your employer
- ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) or Permanent residency card
- Marriage Certificate (If applicable)
- Life in the UK Test pass certificate
Make sure all your documents are updated and correct. If you submit missing and incorrect documents, your application could be canceled.
Prove your English Language Skills
You must show that you can speak, read and write in English. You have to pass an English language test or provide a degree taught in English. This step is not necessary if you are from an English-speaking country or you are applying as the spouse of a British citizen.
Complete the Online Application
You can start an online application from the website of the UK Government once you have gathered all the necessary documents. During the online application form fill up, you will be asked for your personal information, immigration history and other relevant data. Make sure you double check every data before the submission. You will need to pay an amount which is non-refundable.
Submit your Biometrics
After the submission of your online application form you will be asked for a biometric appointment. They will take your fingerprints and photographs during this appointment. This procedure is used to create your official records and confirm your identity.
Attend the Citizenship Ceremony
You will be invited to attend a Citizenship Ceremony if your application is successful. This is the final step to become a British Citizen officially. You will receive your citizenship certificate which will help you to apply for the British Passport. During the ceremony you will take an Oath of Allegiance promising to respect the laws of the UK.
Getting Professional Help for Your British Citizenship Application
Trying to get your application for British Citizenship unaided can be a difficult task. This can be particularly difficult for those who have had any sort of legal or financial issue in the past. Even without these, there are numerous other factors to consider. So, it is a good idea to get professional advice.
An advocate or a counsellor will be the best option to get advice on your application for naturalisation. There are agencies providing such consultation services as well. You can check out the best options available within your budget. Remember, the application itself is going to be costly. So, plan your budget accordingly.
With the right approach, you can get your application for naturalization approved without much difficulty.
Read More: https://emperiortech.com/
