How to become a British citizen

The UK is one of the leading European immigration centres. Here you can get a permanent residence permit, a residence permit gives advantages and privileges applicable in all spheres of life. Therefore, the country has become a second home for many foreigners – expats, digital nomads, skilled workers, freelancers, businessmen, investors. Is it possible to obtain UK citizenship in 2025 and how feasible is such a project if standard naturalisation is not suitable due to long time delays and high risk of rejection?

Advantages for immigrants

A British passport gives a foreigner all the rights available to citizens. Permanent residence is a compromise option, but its limitations will not make much difference in many cases.

The advantages of the UK for foreigners are:

• very high quality of life;
• well-developed health care system;
• good and affordable education;
• broad political rights;
• all conditions for doing business;
• well-developed social infrastructure;
• social support programmes.

The legal right to long-term residence in the UK (residence permit, indefinite or extended visa) is suitable for many foreigners. Standard conditions for obtaining it include knowledge of English and a minimum level of income, their fulfilment is not associated with significant difficulties. But if you want to completely exclude non-essential ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) restrictions, a British passport is required.

ILR conditional restrictions:

• A permanent residence permit can be revoked (for example, if the holder stays abroad for a long time);
• limited ability to visit other countries (no visa-free travel);
• Children born in the UK are not always automatically granted British citizenship. However, if at least one of the parents is a permanent resident (ILR) or a British citizen at the time of birth, the child automatically acquires British citizenship at birth.
• Some restrictions on rights (e.g. in elections).

A classic residence permit with a limited period of validity is suitable for living in the UK. But if you plan to stay in the country forever (or for a significant period of time – more than a few years), you should think about obtaining British citizenship (you will need professional legal assistance). The difficulties associated with the realisation of such a project are quite surmountable.

Options for obtaining UK citizenship?

The immigration legislation of the United Kingdom provides two options: by birthright or by naturalisation. Current investment programmes do not grant a British passport directly – only through ILR.

Citizenship by birthright

Jus Soli (right of land) and Jus Sanguinis (right of blood) are standardised concepts that are often combined into a common format – by birthright. This option for obtaining a British passport is the simplest, but its applicability is limited. If you do not meet the basic eligibility criteria (which cannot be adjusted), you cannot be granted British citizenship in this way.

The qualification requirements for applicants are actually one parent, who must be….:

• UK citizen;
• have ILR or Settled status.

There are cases where you can get British citizenship automatically, even if you were born outside the UK. This is possible if one of your parents or even your grandparents were British citizens.

However, British law places restrictions on the inheritance of citizenship for those born abroad – it is usually only passed on for one generation if the child was born outside the UK.

For example:

• If your grandfather was a British citizen and your parent (his child) was born outside the UK, you will not automatically gain citizenship if you are also born abroad.
• However, if you were born in the UK, and your grandparent has British citizenship, you have a much better chance of automatic citizenship.

This is particularly important when considering birthright citizenship and should be taken into account when preparing applications.

Citizenship by naturalisation

All foreigners can apply for British citizenship. But the qualification requirements are drawn up in such a way that the procedure for obtaining a British passport requires a significant investment of time.

Important clarification. Having ILR, it is not necessary to obtain British citizenship. You can live, work and do business here in this status without significant restrictions. ILR can be revoked (this is very rare with citizenship), and you will not be able to vote or stand for election.

The standard roadmap to UK citizenship through naturalisation:

• Issue a ‘long’ immigration visa (work, business, talent, family, student, some ‘archive’ visas). It must provide for the possibility of subsequently obtaining a permanent residence permit. Note that not all “long” visas to the UK fulfil this condition.
• Obtaining the status of permanent resident (ILR). In order to qualify for it, one must have lived in the UK with ILR status for 3 to 5 years. The candidate should endeavour to integrate into British society, learn the language, familiarise himself with the culture and traditions of the UK.
• Applying for a UK passport. You are eligible to apply for UK citizenship after 12 months of residence in the country with an ILR. If you are married to a British citizen, this requirement does not apply to you and you can apply for citizenship literally the day after you receive your ILR.

Applicants for UK citizenship through naturalisation must:

• pass an English language test (at least B1 – Intermediate level);
• pass the Life in the UK test for knowledge of British traditions and culture.

Long-term visas

If a potential candidate can use several ways to apply for a British passport, it is better to choose the one where the naturalisation requirements are most relevant to the specific case. Below you will find details on the applicability of the most popular long-term entry permits for immigrants.

UK citizenship through a work visa (Skilled Worker visa):

• For skilled workers only (documentary evidence required);
• an official invitation from a certified employer is required;
• the applicant may include family members in the application;
• there are special conditions regarding the employer;
• special visas are available for certain categories of skilled workers (medical professionals, clergy, professional athletes);
• after 5 years you can apply for ILR status and after another 12 months you can apply for citizenship.

UK citizenship through the Innovator Founder visa:

• The entry permit replaced the two visas that were previously in force – the start-up and innovator visas;
• the visa is aimed at business people who are just planning to incorporate a company in the UK, they have these minimum requirements:
• Approval of the business idea by an authorised government service;
• sufficient financial capacity;
• an English language level of at least B2 (Upper Intermediate);
• the visa legalises the long-term residence in the UK of the wife (husband) and children;
• it is possible to engage in business;
• it is allowed to combine the status of owner and director;
• business and employment is permitted (provided the position is a skilled position);
• the standard requirements for naturalisation allow the option to apply for permanent residence after 3 years (provided the business is growing steadily), after 5 years you can apply for citizenship.

UK citizenship through Global Talent visa (Global Talent visa):

• is oriented on attracting specialists (priority areas – arts, science and technology, information technology);
• minimal qualification requirements (it is enough to prove oneself at the international level);
• unlimited freedom of action after arrival in the UK (but only within a narrow professional framework, which was the basis for obtaining a talent visa);
• no control by the UK organisation that approved the candidate;
• you can bring your family with you;
• by obtaining ILR, you become eligible to apply for citizenship after 5-6 years.

UK citizenship through family visas (Family visas):

• Suitable for those whose partner is a UK citizen or permanent resident;
• There are strict eligibility requirements for applicants and the inviting person;
• After 5 years you can apply for a British passport;

UK citizenship through a Student Visa:

• good English language skills are required;
• you need to prove that you are financially able to support yourself for the duration of your studies;
• you need a recommendation from your host institution;
• Student Visa does not directly entitle you to ILR (and, as a consequence, to UK citizenship), but the entire period of study at university can be included in the minimum 10-year period of residence in the UK (one of the conditions for obtaining ILR).

Archived visas eligible for ILR

There are certain categories of visas that have already been cancelled to accept new applications, for example: investor visa, overseas business visa, entrepreneur visa and so on. However, those who have already been in the country on these visas, had and still have the opportunity to extend them, as well as to obtain a residence permit. Thus, after obtaining a permanent residence permit, the general rule applies to them that after 12 months of residence in the country with a permanent residence permit, people, including all family members, have the right to apply for citizenship.

Obtaining permanent resident status

The second stage of the roadmap to UK citizenship. Note that permanent residence is not the same as citizenship. At the same time, you should understand that while you are in the country on any type of visa, you are subject to certain restrictions associated with this type of visa. That is, you are under immigration control. When you get a CoML, you are formally out of immigration control within the UK. An ILR is valid indefinitely unless you leave the country for more than two years.

Specifics of applying for ILR:

• Meeting all the requirements of your current visa;
• A minimum period of legal residence in the UK on a long-stay visa of between 3 and 5 years;
• English language level of at least B1, if you have proved English language proficiency of at least B1 in one of your previous migration applications, you do not need to prove it again; citizens of English speaking countries and territories (British Commonwealth of Nations) do not need to prove language proficiency.
• an ILR candidate must take the Life in the UK test (questions about everyday life, culture and traditions of the United Kingdom);
• candidates under 18 years of age over 65 years of age may not take the test;
• after obtaining ILR status you can apply for UK citizenship after 1 year, simplified procedure is provided for partners of UK citizens.

Obtaining UK citizenship

The procedure of transformation of ILR into a British passport includes 4 stages. The most complicated stage is the preparation of a package of documents. We recommend that you avoid the risks associated with misinterpretation of immigration laws and the influence of the “human factor” by contacting our specialists.

1. Testing

The main criterion is the knowledge of English. The level of requirements is loyal – B1. The test “Life in the UK”, which was taken earlier, is more difficult, so there will be no special difficulties. Usually, the score obtained in the previous exams can be credited when applying for UK citizenship (documentary proof will be required).

2. Document preparation

The standard requirements are described on the UK government portal. But the list for each specific case may change, so you should be sure to check the current information.

The minimum package of documents:

• application form;
• confirmation of the minimum period of residence in the UK;
• a document of sufficient knowledge of the language;
• information about your ILR;
• letters of recommendation from two UK citizens;
• a documented address of permanent residence;
• a letter from your employer if you are employed.
• If you are married to a UK citizen, you must provide a marriage certificate;
• to apply for UK citizenship for a child, you will need a birth certificate.

3. Submitting your application

If the preparation stage has been successfully completed, there should be no problems. To apply, you will need to fill out the appropriate application form online on the government website. At the end of the application, it will be necessary to make payment of the government application fee. After this will be followed by an appointment to take the biometrics at one of the designated centres where you will be photographed and fingerprinted.

4. Taking the Oath of Office

Once your application for citizenship has been approved, you will be invited to an oath ceremony – the final step on your journey to British citizenship.

During the ceremony you will officially take the oath of allegiance and from that moment on you become a British citizen. You will be issued with a naturalisation certificate which confirms your new status.

Once you have received this certificate, you may, if you wish, make a separate application for a British passport – this is an administrative procedure that confirms your citizenship as an official document for travelling.

Conclusion

The ways of obtaining British citizenship allow a wide range of foreigners to participate in naturalisation programmes. Unlike a residence permit, a British passport gives a completely different, much higher level of comfort and personal freedom. It is not only the right to work, but also to conduct business, visa-free travel, extended social guarantees and public privileges (for example, related to elections).

Existing investment programmes offer several options for obtaining a residence permit (“long” visa). They do not provide separate pathways to citizenship, but you may be able to become an ILR candidate with our help. This will open a direct route to British citizenship. You can ask our specialists for more information.