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Those with refugee status and subsidiary protection may not apply for naturalisation as a British citizen until they have been in receipt of Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement leave) for 12 months.[1] They are subject to the same test of ‘good character’ as other applicants and must pass a ‘Life in the UK’ test and meet the requirements for English language proficiency.[2] There is also a fee, which can be up to £1,580 (€ 1,840).[3]
The requirements that a person be of good character specifically refer to applicants who previously entered the UK unlawfully i.e. through evading immigration control.[4] Where unlawful entry happened in the previous ten years, the application will normally be refused.[5]
Applications for naturalisation are made to the Home Office. There are no time limits for decisions to be made. The main obstacle is the fees.[6]
175,972 grants of UK citizenship were made in 2023 of which 130,430 were from non-EU nationals.
[1] Schedule 1, paragraph 1(2)(c), British Nationality Act 1981, available at: https://bit.ly/3SQSI1T.
[2] UK government, ‘Apply for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain or ‘settled status’’, accessed 24 March 2024, available at: https://bit.ly/3uzRnol.
[3] Home Office, Immigration and Nationality fees, available at: https://bit.ly/2PS2Ub0.
[4] Home Office, Naturalisation as a British citizen: caseworker guidance, 23 August 2023, available at: http://bit.ly/2jDXJbv.
[5] Home Office, Naturalisation as a British citizen: caseworker guidance, 23 August 2023, available at: http://bit.ly/2jDXJbv.
[6] UK government, ‘Apply for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain or ‘settled status’’, accessed 24 March 2024, available at: https://bit.ly/3uzRnol.