British citizenship eligibility outline

Standard / spouse / child / stateless routes under the British Nationality Act 1981.

Eligibility / route checker — indicative result

This tool gives an indicative direction based on the information you provide. It is not a determination of your legal position. Many factors (evidence, jurisdiction, deadlines) can change the outcome. Always confirm with a regulated adviser before relying on this result.

Privacy: runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you enter is sent to us or saved.

When to use this tool

You hold ILR or are settled and want to check whether you meet the criteria to naturalise as British.

British citizenship eligibility outline

Route to citizenship

Years of lawful residence in the UK

Days absent in the qualifying period

Standard: ≤450 days over 5 years (and ≤90 days in the final 12 months). Spouse: ≤270 days over 3 years.

Do you hold ILR / settled status?

Pass Life in UK test + English (B1)?

Some criteria not yet met

✗5 years' lawful residence in the UK

✓12+ months holding Indefinite Leave to Remain

✗≤450 days absent in the 5-year qualifying period

✓Pass Life in the UK test and English language requirement

British Nationality Act 1981 governs. Application is on Form AN (£1,630 adult application fee as of 2025). Good character requirement applies — criminal record and immigration breaches can be fatal.

Official Resources

British Nationality Act 1981 →