British Citizenship Through Naturalisation Timeline 2025

According to the Home Office, the standard expected time to reach a decision on a naturalisation application is within 6 months from submission. The actual processing time tends to vary, however, depending on whether the case is straightforward or complex and the backlog of the Home Office. It is sometimes possible to receive a faster decision by taking the right approach to your application. Indeed, many of our clients receive their British citizenship through naturalisation in as little as 3 or 4 months.

Before applying for citizenship through naturalisation, it is essential to check that you meet all the criteria, including the minimum UK residence requirement. In most cases, individuals must have lived in the UK for a further 12 months after gaining Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status before applying for naturalisation. This is not always the case, however. If you gained ILR through a spouse visa, you can apply for naturalisation immediately without waiting 12 months.

UK naturalisation timeline

The following sets out the key steps when applying for naturalisation in the UK:

• Form AN submission
• Acknowledgement of citizenship application (typically around 5 working days after application)
• Biometric enrolment appointment (anytime after you apply, subject to appointment availability)
• Home Office UKVI processing time (anywhere between 1 and 6 months after application)
• Decision notification
• Citizenship ceremony: invitation and attendance
• Final steps: British Passport

Step 1: Form AN submission

Form AN is the main document that must be completed when applying for citizenship through naturalisation in the UK. This is a detailed 29-page document including your personal and contact details and those of your partner. A key part of the application is showing how you meet the residence requirements; this requires you to enter all of the times that you have spent outside of the UK in the last 5 years. You will also need to provide details of any criminal history, if appropriate and your referees. You will also need to pay the application fee.

Step 2: Acknowledgement of citizenship application

On receipt of your naturalisation application, the Home Office will process your case and send you an acknowledgement of receipt.

Step 3: Biometric enrolment appointment and provide your documents

You will be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point in order to provide your fingerprints and a photo (i.e. your biometric information). You can also have your supporting documents scanned at your UKVCAS appointment (or upload them with your application form).

Step 4: Home Office UKVI processing time

The standard processing time for a UK naturalisation application is around 6 months. If your case is complex or if more information is needed, the Home Office may request additional information or arrange an interview with you. This may delay the processing of your application.

Step 5: Decision notification

Once your application has been fully processed by the Home Office, you will receive a decision in writing.

Step 6: Citizenship ceremony: invitation and attendance

If your application for citizenship through naturalisation is successful, you will need to attend a citizenship ceremony. The Home Office will send you an invitation for a ceremony – these are normally held within 3 months of becoming a British citizen. On receipt of the invitation, you will ned to book a ceremony through your local authority/council. Ceremonies tend to be held in groups; however, you can request a private ceremony if you prefer. You will also need to pay a fee for the ceremony, and you can take 2 guests. During the ceremony, you will be asked to make an oath of allegiance, an affirmation and a pledge. This is a promise to respect the rights, freedoms and laws of the UK. At the end of your citizenship ceremony, you will receive your certificate of British citizenship and a welcome pack.

Step 7: Final steps: British Passport

Once you receive citizenship, your BRP will become invalid. You will need to return it to the Home Office within 5 working days of receiving your certificate of British citizenship. Note, you may receive a fine of up to £1,000 if you don’t do this in time.

You can now apply for your British Passport using the online service. You will need to provide a digital photo (validated by someone who can confirm your identity), any supporting documents, and pay a fee of £94.50. After you submit your passport application, you may need to be interviewed to confirm your identity – these tend to be conducted online. Once processed and approved, you will receive your new passport by courier or recorded delivery.

Common British naturalisation refusal reasons

Some of the common reasons that may lead to British naturalisation refusal include:

• Failure to meet residency requirements – e.g. not residing in the UK for the required period (continuous residence) or excessive absences from the UK due to spending more than 450 days outside the UK in the last 5 years
• Not meeting the good character requirement – e.g. due to criminal convictions, financial issues like bankruptcy or CCJs, dishonesty on the application, or breaches of immigration rules
• Immigration rule breaches – e.g. overstaying past the period of your visa expiry
• Incomplete, missing, or incorrect documentation
• Insufficient knowledge of English or Life in the UK
• Failure to respond to Home Office correspondence – Not replying on time or providing further requested information may lead to refusal
• Failure to prove intent to make the UK your main home – The Home Office must be satisfied that you will continue to live in the UK if naturalised
• Home Office error – Occasionally, applications are refused due to mistakes made by UK Visas and Immigration staff (e.g. incorrectly interpreting the law)
• Complex family situations – e.g. due to questions about parentage, surrogacy, adoption, or incomplete ancestry records.
• Entry to the UK through ‘irregular means’ – from 10^th February 2025, those who entered the UK via irregular means (e.g. small boats, hidden vehicles) will normally be refused British citizenship, even after long-term residence in the UK.
• Wrong route to citizenship – in some cases, applicants may be refused because they have used the wrong route to citizenship. For example, children under 18 may qualify for citizenship through registration rather than naturalisation. Meeting the rules for children can be easier, and there may be no need to have ILR before applying. An immigration Solicitor will check which is the best route to citizenship based on your unique circumstances.

FAQs about the British naturalisation timeline