Suppose you are married to a British or Settled person when you apply for UK Citizenship. In that case, you are usually permitted to apply for British Citizenship immediately after being granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Settled Status or Permanent Residency.

The essential eligibility requirements to apply for Naturalisation as a British Citizen if married to a British national or Settled person are:

• You must have been lawfully resident in the UK for at least three years;
• Have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Settled Status or Permanent Residency;
• Have not been absent from the UK for more than 270 days over the three years preceding the date that you submit your British Citizenship application*.
• Have not been absent from the UK for more than 90 days in 12 months before the date you apply for British Citizenship*;
• Be physically present in the UK on the date that you submit your British Citizenship application to the Home Office online, and you were also in the UK three years before that date; and
• Meet the criteria of ‘good character’.

*If the number of days absent from the UK exceeds the requirements, there is potential for submission of a discretionary application whereby we submit comprehensive representations to the Home Office requesting that your application is approved. These applications are more complex, and the viability will vary depending on individual circumstances. Please get in touch to arrange a call with one of our nationality experts who will assess your circumstances and likelihood of success if you apply for UK Citizenship.

If you are not married to a British national or Settled person at the time you apply for British citizenship, the following requirements must be met:

• You must have been lawfully resident in the UK for at least five years;
• Have held Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Settled Status or Permanent Residency for one year;
• Have not been absent from the UK for more than 450 days over the five years preceding the date that you submit your application*.
• Have not been absent from the UK for more than 90 days in 12 months before the date you apply for UK Citizenship*;
• Be physically present in the UK on the date that you submit your British Citizenship application to the Home Office online, and you were also in the UK five years before that date; and
• Meet the criteria of ‘good character’.

*If the number of days absent from the UK exceeds the requirements, there is potential for submission of a discretionary application whereby we submit comprehensive representations to the Home Office requesting that your application is approved. These applications are more complex, and the viability will vary depending on individual circumstances. Please contact one of our nationality experts, who will assess the years before you submit your British Citizenship, your circumstances, and the likelihood of success if you apply for British Citizenship.