How to Apply for British Citizenship by Naturalisation (Form AN): 2026 Guide
To naturalise as a British citizen in 2026, you need ILR or settled status, 5 years' UK residence (3 years if you are married to a British citizen), English at B1, a Life in the UK test pass, good character and £1,839 in Home Office fees. Most people apply online. The paper Form AN is now used mainly by people applying from outside the UK.
Naturalisation is not automatic. The Home Office has discretion, and the fee is not refunded if you are refused. This guide takes you through every requirement so you can check you are ready before you pay.
What is naturalisation, and what is Form AN?
Naturalisation is the way most adults who have settled in the UK become British citizens. If you hold indefinite leave to remain (ILR), settled status or indefinite leave to enter, and you have lived in the UK for long enough, you can apply.
Form AN is the Home Office application to naturalise as a British citizen. Today, most people in the UK complete the same application online. The paper Form AN is used mainly by people applying from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory or from abroad. The questions and the rules are the same either way. Our Form AN guide walks you through the questions.
Naturalisation is not automatic. The Home Office has discretion, and the application fee is not refunded if you are refused. That is why it pays to check every requirement before you apply.
This guide explains:
- Who can apply, and the residence and absence limits
- The extra rules for spouses and civil partners of British citizens
- English, the Life in the UK test and good character
- Documents, referees and fees
- What happens after you apply, up to your citizenship ceremony
Who can naturalise as a British citizen?
To apply on the standard route, you must:
- Be aged 18 or over
- Be of sound mind
- Have lived in the UK for at least 5 years
- Have held ILR, settled status or indefinite leave to enter for at least 12 months before you apply
- Meet the English language requirement
- Have passed the Life in the UK test
- Be of good character
- Intend to continue living in the UK
The residence and absence limits
Most refusals come down to residence. You must have been physically in the UK on the exact date 5 years before the Home Office receives your application. You must also stay within these limits:
| Period | Maximum days outside the UK |
|---|---|
| The 5 years before you apply | 450 days |
| The last 12 months | 90 days |
If you have gone over, the Home Office can use discretion. It may accept up to 730 days in total if you meet every other requirement and your home, family and most of your estate are in the UK. Absences caused by Crown service, the nature of your job, or compelling personal reasons can also be considered. The Home Office says it would only very rarely accept more than 900 days.
Count your days carefully from your passport stamps and travel records. A small miscount is one of the most common reasons for refusal.
English language
You must show English at B1 level or above, in speaking and listening. You can do this with an approved Secure English Language Test, a degree taught in English, or by being a national of a majority English-speaking country. Test results are valid for 2 years.
You are exempt if you are 65 or over. You may also be exempt if a long-term physical or mental condition prevents you from meeting the requirement. This needs a waiver form completed by a registered medical practitioner.
Life in the UK test
The test has 24 questions and lasts 45 minutes. You need 75% to pass, and each attempt costs £50. If you passed it for your ILR application, you do not need to take it again.
Good character
The Home Office looks at your whole history. Your application may be refused for:
- Criminal convictions, cautions or ongoing investigations
- Breaking immigration rules, such as overstaying or working without permission
- Deception in any past application
- Financial issues, such as bankruptcy, unpaid tax or unpaid council tax
Since February 2025, applications are normally refused if the person entered the UK illegally, however long ago. This also applies to people who arrived after a dangerous journey, such as by small boat, without the right entry clearance. The Home Office will consider cases where entry was outside the person's control, for example if they were a child or a victim of trafficking.
Always declare everything. Leaving out a past issue is treated more seriously than the issue itself.
If you are married to a British citizen
The spouse or civil partner of a British citizen can apply sooner. If you came to the UK on a spouse visa, this is usually the route you will use. The main differences are:
| Requirement | Standard route | Spouse or civil partner of a British citizen |
|---|---|---|
| UK residence | 5 years | 3 years |
| Days outside the UK in the whole period | 450 | 270 |
| Days outside the UK in the last 12 months | 90 | 90 |
| Time holding ILR or settled status | At least 12 months | No waiting period, but you must hold it on the day you apply |
You must be married or in a civil partnership on the date you apply. You cannot use this route if your partner has died. English, the Life in the UK test and good character apply in the same way.
If your absences are over 270 days, the Home Office may accept up to 450 days where your life is clearly based in the UK. It would only very rarely accept more than 540 days.
Documents you will need
- Your passport or other travel document
- Proof of your ILR, settled status or indefinite leave to enter (an expired biometric residence permit can only be used until the end of 2026)
- Your English language evidence, unless you are exempt
- Your Life in the UK test pass
- Your marriage or civil partnership certificate, if you are applying as a spouse
- Evidence of your time in the UK, such as payslips, P60s or tax records
- If you are self-employed, your self-assessment tax records for the residence period
Choosing your two referees
You need two referees who will confirm your identity:
- One must be a professional person of any nationality, such as a civil servant, minister of religion, accountant or solicitor
- The other must hold a British passport and be either a professional person or aged over 25
Both must have known you for at least 3 years. They cannot be related to you or to each other, work for the Home Office, or act as your representative on the application. A referee with an imprisonable conviction in the last 10 years will usually not be accepted.
The fees in 2026
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Naturalisation application | £1,709 |
| Citizenship ceremony | £130 |
| Total paid to the Home Office | £1,839 |
| Biometrics | No fee |
| Life in the UK test (paid to the test centre) | £50 per attempt |
The fee is not refunded if your application is refused.
How to apply: step by step
- Check your residence dates and count your days outside the UK.
- Make sure your English and Life in the UK evidence is valid.
- Gather your documents and confirm your two referees.
- Complete the application online and pay the fee. If you are applying from outside the UK, use the paper Form AN.
- Upload your documents and book your biometrics appointment.
What happens after you apply
Most decisions are made within 6 months. If yours will take longer, the Home Office will tell you before the 6 months are up.
If you are approved:
- You receive an approval letter and an invitation to a citizenship ceremony.
- You book the ceremony with your local council. You must attend within 3 months of the invitation.
- At the ceremony you make an oath or affirmation of allegiance and a pledge to the UK.
- You receive your certificate of naturalisation. You are a British citizen from that day.
- You can then apply for your first British passport.
Check whether your current country allows dual nationality before you apply. Some countries, such as India, do not, and you may need to give up your existing citizenship.
Common reasons for refusal
- Too many days outside the UK, or a miscount of absences
- Not being in the UK on the start date of the 5-year or 3-year period
- Applying too early, before holding ILR for 12 months on the standard route
- Good character issues that were not declared, including old convictions, fixed penalties or tax problems
- Weak referees, for example someone related to you or who has not known you for 3 years
- Expired or wrong evidence, such as an English test result older than 2 years
A refused application cannot be appealed. You can ask the Home Office to reconsider, but you will lose the fee and may need to apply again.
How AY&J Solicitors can help
At AY&J Solicitors, our immigration team checks your eligibility before you pay the fee. We count your absences, review any good character issues, prepare your documents and complete the application for you. If you have excess absences or a past issue, we explain whether discretion is likely to apply and how to present your case.
Speak to our British citizenship team to check whether you are ready to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How long after ILR can I apply for British citizenship?
On the standard route, you must have held ILR or settled status for at least 12 months. If you are married to a British citizen, you can apply as soon as you hold ILR, provided you have 3 years' residence.
How many days can I spend outside the UK before applying?
No more than 450 days in the 5 years before you apply, and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months. For spouses of British citizens, the limit is 270 days in 3 years.
How much does British citizenship cost in 2026?
£1,839 in Home Office fees: £1,709 for the application and £130 for the ceremony. The Life in the UK test costs £50.
Do I need to take an English test?
You need English at B1 level or above, unless you are 65 or over, hold a degree taught in English, are a national of a majority English-speaking country, or qualify for a medical exemption.
Who can be my referee for Form AN?
One professional person of any nationality, and one British passport holder who is a professional or over 25. Both must have known you for 3 years and must not be related to you.
Is Form AN still used?
Yes, but mainly as a paper form for people applying from outside the UK. Most applicants in the UK apply online.
How long does a naturalisation decision take?
Usually up to 6 months.
Ready to apply, or not sure if you qualify? Book a free discovery call with our immigration team and we will tell you where you stand.
Written by Ikra Ahmed, Immigration Associate. Legally reviewed by Sunny Sandhu, Head of Legal Operations, AY&J Solicitors. SRA regulated, Legal 500, Chambers and Partners. Last reviewed: October 2026.
About our Expert
Ikra Ahmed is an Immigration Associate at A Y & J Solicitors, specialising in UK immigration and compliance. She has supported a wide range of clients with family and corporate immigration, consistently helping them achieve positive outcomes. Known for her clarity and client-first approach, Ikra is committed to making complex immigration processes straightforward and stress-free.
Ikra is multilingual in Urdu and Pahari, and she brings strong cultural understanding to her work.
Outside the office, she enjoys sports, travel, and gaming, and is an enthusiastic Manchester United supporter.
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