If you wish to apply for British citizenship, you will need to know how much the application costs.
At Halliday Reeves, we regularly make successful British citizenship applications for our clients. We can advise you as to whether you are eligible to apply, complete the application form on your behalf and compile the paperwork that you will need in support.
We can also discuss the costs with you, to include the application fee payable to the Home Office. If you are considering applying for UK citizenship, please feel free to ring us on 0330 133 7777, email us at enquiries@hallidayreeves.com or fill in our Contact Form.
“I think 5 stars are not enough for the service I got… I got my citizenship certificate in two months and this is amazing”
Applying For British Citizenship
You may be able to apply for British citizenship if you have lived in the UK for five years and you have held either indefinite leave to remain or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme for one year.
If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you only need to have lived in the UK for three years. Provided you hold either indefinite leave to remain or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme you can then apply straightaway, without the need to wait a year.
You may also be eligible to apply because of your background, for example, if you have a British parent or parent with British overseas territories citizenship or you are considered British for another reason, including being a British overseas citizen or British protected person.
Eligibility For British Citizenship
You should check that you are eligible before submitting your application and make sure that you have documentary evidence proving this. Eligibility criteria include:
- You are over 18
- You have the required standard of English
- You have passed the Life in the UK test
- You intend to carry on living in the UK
- You are of good character
- You have not breached any UK immigration laws
You need to have been present in the UK on the date exactly five years before the day on which your application is received by the Home Office.
There are also restrictions on the amount of time you can have spent outside of the UK prior to your application. This must be:
- No more than 450 days during the five years prior to your application or 270 days within the previous 3 years if you are married or in a civil partnership with a British Citizen.
- No more than 90 days in the previous year
British Citizenship Application Fee
There is a standard application fee for British citizenship for both adults and children under the age of 18.
In certain cases, a fee waiver may be available for children or young people applying for citizenship if the cost is not affordable. A fee waiver can be requested if the child and their parent or guardian are unable to pay the fee due to financial hardship. This could include situations where:
- They do not have a place to live and cannot afford one
- They cannot afford basic essentials such as food and heating
- They do not have enough money to pay the fee after covering essential living costs
- Paying the fee would compromise the child’s well-being or essential needs
It is important to ensure the correct fee is submitted with your application. If the wrong amount is paid, the application will not be processed, and a new application will need to be submitted.
Other Costs For British Citizenship Application
As part of the British citizenship application process, you will need to take the Life in the UK Test. There is a fee to take it.
If you need to take a secure English language test (SELT) to prove that you have an adequate knowledge of English, you will need to pay an additional fee.
If your application includes any documents that are not in English, you will need to provide a certified translation of them. Costs vary.
“Excellent service in all aspects of citizenship.”
Contact Our British Citizenship Solicitors
If you are applying for British citizenship, our immigration experts can put together your application to give you the best chance of success.
To speak to one of our expert UK citizenship lawyers, ring us on 0330 133 7777, email us at enquiries@hallidayreeves.com or fill in our Contact Form.
