Becoming British is one of the most arduous and expensive citizenship processes in the world. Many of the tens of thousands of people who are accepted as UK citizens each year will have faced years of preparation and bills of between £5,000 and £10,000.
How long does it take to get UK citizenship?
Most British naturalisation applications take between 3-4 months to be processed. Straight forward applications can be decided within 2 months, and more complex can take up to 6 months. Processing times will also vary depending on the Home Office’s caseload.
Can a US citizen become a UK citizen?
Both the UK and US allow dual citizenship so Americans who would like to apply for British citizenship are able to maintain both citizenships. There is no specific application process to apply for American British dual nationality – all you need to do is to apply to become a UK citizen.
Does UK allow dual citizenship?
Dual citizenship is lawfully allowed in the UK. While holding your home country’s citizenship, you can also seek to apply for British citizenship as a second nationality. Every country has its own nationality laws, and not all countries allow dual citizenship.
How much does it cost to become a British citizen in 2020?
6. Applications made in the UK
| Fees category | Current Fee | New fee from 20 February 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Global Talent – dependant | £608 | £608 |
| Naturalisation [footnote 4] | £1,330 | £1,330 |
| Naturalisation British overseas territory citizens | £1,000 | £1,000 |
| Nationality registration as a British citizen – adult [footnote 4] | £1,206 | £1,206 |
How can I move to England?
Get an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
- Find Employment. You should have a job or a work offer in the UK before you plan to move so you can apply for your work visa. …
- Find the Correct Visa Type. …
- Apply for the Visa. …
- Move to the UK. …
- Get an Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Can I retire to England from USA?
It’s perfectly legal for Americans to retire to the U.K., provided you can qualify for a British visa. Financing the move and adjusting to the British lifestyle can be challenging for some retirees.
What is the easiest country to get citizenship?
Italy, Ireland, Poland, and Hungary – the easiest through ancestry. These four countries all have generous and flexible approaches to citizenship by descent.
What are the advantages of British citizenship?
Benefits of citizenship
- the right to live in the UK forever – your status will be permanently settled.
- the right to hold a British passport.
- full civic rights – this includes the right to vote in elections and the right to stand for public office.
- free NHS medical care.
- no restrictions on your right to work.
Can a Spanish person get a British passport?
The British government does recognise dual citizenship between Spain and the UK, so they will also not ask you to renounce your British passport, or your British citizenship. … You can apply for foreign citizenship and keep your British citizenship.
Can I have 3 citizenships?
One individual can hold two, three, and sometimes even more citizenships and passports. If you pass through a naturalization process in some country, you should learn if legislation of that country allows dual citizenship or not. … There are no agencies or organizations that control renunciation from citizenship.
Can I buy British citizenship?
The fastest way is to obtain citizenship by investment after an Investor Visa (Tier 1). After two years, the applicant can receive permanent residence and citizenship another year later, if he invests in UK companies stocks or bonds from £10,000,000.
How long is the Life in the UK test valid for?
How long is life in the UK test certificate valid for? The life in the UK test certificate does not expire. Once you have passed the test, you can reuse the certificate for any future UK immigration applications, such as ILR and British citizenship.
Why is British citizenship so expensive?
Overall, citizenship application costs have been rising since 2007 in an attempt to compensate for cuts to the Home Office budget. Current fees are now at an incredible £1,330 per adult, and that’s without the cost of the legal advice, which is often necessary to navigate the complicated process.