British Citizenship

Once you have indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK, presently you can apply for British nationality based on your residence in the UK.

If your indefinite leave was acquired on the basis of your marriage to a person present and settled in the UK, you need to have lived in the UK for a period of three years.  Subject to additional criteria, you are able to apply as soon as you have obtained indefinite leave.

If your indefinite leave was acquired on a basis other than marriage, you need to have lived in the UK for a period of five years.  Subject to additional criteria, you can apply once you have held indefinite leave for one year preceding your application.

The government is presently considering The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill which proposes to shake up radically and make more difficult the way people can settle or acquire British citizenship.  These proposals may become law by the end of 2009 and therefore if you are eligible, you are urged to seek expert legal advice promptly.