British Naturalisation is the process of becoming a British citizen. There is no nationality restriction, citizens from any country may apply for British citizenship in one of the following categories, by, birth, descent, residence or marriage or a stable relationship.
Birth
Individuals born in the UK after 1983 are automatically British citizens if one parent already has Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Children born in the UK can also apply to become British once a parent acquires permanent residence. Children born in the UK and with a residence period of more than 10 years are also able to apply for British naturalisation.
Descent
Children of British citizens born outside the UK, can automatically be registered as British citizens by a parent if the parent was born in the UK or was naturalized before the birth of the child. Second generation children born outside the UK do not have the automatic right of British citizenship.
Residence
In general individuals resident in the UK and who have acquired permanent residence or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), either by family, work, investment, marriage, long residence etc., may, after 12 months of permanent residence, apply for British naturalisation.
Spouses and/or Civil Partners
Spouses or civil partners of British citizens on British territory need to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) before applying for naturalisation. Applicants need to live legally in the UK for a minimum of 3 or 5 years.
Spouses and/or civil partners of European and non-European citizens may apply for British naturalisation providing they have remained in the UK for a minimum of 6 years and acquired permanent residence at the end of the first 5 years