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British Citizenship

British Citizens can live and work in the UK free of any immigration controls and can also obtain a UK passport.

You can check if you're a British citizen (gov.uk) depending on where and when you were born, or your parents' circumstances when you were born.

Dual citizenship/nationality is allowed in the UK, however many countries do not accept dual citizenship. You can check with the country’s consulate or embassy in the UK for further information about that country’s laws on dual nationality.

Eligibility

You can apply for citizenship if you have lived in the UK for five years and have had one of the following for 12 months:

  • indefinite leave to remain in the UK
  • 'settled status', also known as 'indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme'
  • indefinite leave to enter the UK - permission to move to the UK permanently from abroad

You do not need to wait 12 months to apply if you’re married to a British citizen.

You may be able to apply to:

  • become a British citizen (gov.uk) by ‘naturalisation’ - for example, after you settle in the UK
  • register as a British citizen (gov.uk) if you have another type of British nationality, eg British overseas territories citizen, British overseas citizen, British subject, British national (overseas) or a British protected person.

You must meet the residency requirements, and have not spent more than 450 days outside the UK during the previous 5 years, nor 90 days outside the UK in the previous 12 months.

Costs

You will need to pay the relevant citizen application fee, including the citizenship ceremony fee.

You may need to take a 'Life in the UK' test and/or take an English language test.

You may be eligible for help with these costs, and the salary advance policy gives further details.

Timescales

You must have been physically present in the UK exactly five years before the Home Office receives your application.

Decisions on British citizenship applications usually take around six months.

How to make a British Citizenship Application

You must check if you can become a British citizen (gov.uk) and read the citizenship guidance (gov.uk) to ensure you meet the requirements before you make your application.

Complete and submit your online application to become a British citizen by naturalisation (gov.uk), then attend an appointment to enrol your biometric information.

If you are not eligible to apply for citizenship by naturalisation, you may be able to apply using a different application process (gov.uk).

Next steps

  • Keep in touch with HR and your line manager.
  • Book and attend a citizenship ceremony when invited to do so.
  • Apply for a British passport or a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode. You cannot use your naturalisation certificate to travel internationally.
  • Inform HR when British citizenship is obtained and make an appointment to visit HR.
  • Bring your original naturalisation certificate to HR to update your nationality details.

Useful information and links from UKVI (gov.uk)

If you have any questions or queries you can contact the team at hr-compliance@york.ac.uk.