British Citizenship By Marriage
Gaining British Citizenship by Marriage
Marrying a British citizen or being in a civil partnership with one opens a pathway to British citizenship. However, marriage or civil partnership alone doesn’t automatically grant you British citizenship. You may apply for naturalisation once you fulfill certain criteria, including having lived in the UK for at least three years and possessing indefinite leave to remain (ILR), indefinite leave to enter (ILE), or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for British citizenship by marriage or civil partnership, you must:
- Be 18 years or older.
- Be married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen on the application date.
- Be a settled person in the UK (holding ILR, ILE, or EU Settlement Scheme status).
- Have lived in the UK for at least three years before the application date without significant periods of absence (no more than 270 days outside the UK during the three years and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months).
- Additionally, general requirements include being of sound mind, having adequate English language proficiency, sufficient knowledge of life in the UK, and being of good character.
Applying After the Death of a British Partner
If your British spouse or civil partner has passed away, you cannot directly apply for citizenship through marriage. However, you may seek ILR and, after holding it for 12 months, apply for British citizenship.
Residence Requirement
For the three years prior to your application, you must have resided in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands.
Application Timing
You can apply for citizenship as soon as you have ILR, ILE, or settled status, and have completed the required three-year residence period in the UK.
Fees and Processing Time
The application fee for British citizenship by marriage is £1,330, with additional costs for biometric residence (£19.20), English language exams, and the Life in the UK test. Processing typically takes around six months.
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Dual Nationality Considerations
The UK permits dual nationality. Check if your current country of citizenship allows dual nationality before applying for British citizenship.
Handling Refused Applications
If your application is refused, you can’t normally appeal but may request an administrative review or consider a judicial review. Common reasons for refusal include not meeting residence requirements, concerns about the marriage’s validity, or failure to meet language or character requirements.
To be eligible, you must be over 18, married to a British citizen, settled in the UK (having ILR, ILE, or EU Settlement Scheme status), and have lived in the UK for at least three years prior to your application. You should also meet language and character requirements.
Direct naturalisation isn’t possible if your British partner has died. However, you may first apply for ILR, and after holding it for a year, you can apply for citizenship.
You need to demonstrate continuous UK residency, fulfill language proficiency criteria, pass the Life in the UK test, and prove good character.
The processing time is approximately six months. However, this can vary based on the complexity of your case.
The UK allows dual citizenship. You should check whether your current country of citizenship permits dual citizenship before applying.
In case of refusal, you can request an administrative review or consider a judicial review. It’s advisable to consult with an immigration solicitor to understand the best course of action.
The application fee is £1,330, plus additional costs for biometric residence, English language exams, and the Life in the UK test.
In case of refusal, consult with an immigration solicitor for advice on the next steps, which might include a new application or exploring alternative routes. For detailed guidance on applying for British citizenship through marriage, contact UK Immigration Advisor at 01619562003 or email [email protected]. Our team offers expert advice to help navigate the complexities of your citizenship application.