Although there are many forms of British Nationality, British Citizenship is the only one that allows you to live and work in the UK without a visa. Other forms of British nationality are British overseas citizenship; British overseas territories citizenship; British national (overseas); British protected person; and a British subject. If you are eligible for a British nationality other than citizenship, you may become a naturalised British citizen.
What is the difference between British citizenship and permanent residence?
- Permanent residence is the official right to live in the UK permanently, without needing to apply for visas to remain in the country, for example.
- British citizenship, on the other hand, grants the person who has it the full rights of a British national.
- This includes the right to apply for a passport.
- But a permanent residence document is usually first needed to take the next step to apply for British citizenship.
What are the current permanent residence rules if you are an EU citizen?
EU nationals are currently automatically granted permanent resident status after living and working in the UK for five years.
Applicants from the European Economic Area, or EEA, (the EU member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) can apply online here.
Or they can download and complete this form and post it to the Home Office address listed on the document.
A fee of £65 is required for the application, along with a set of supporting documents which are detailed on the form and vary depending on the situation of the applicant.
These could include the following:
- Current and previous passports or national identity cards
- Two passport-sized colour photos
- Evidence of living in the UK (e.g. gas, electricity and council tax bills, letters from government departments)
- Evidence of working, studying or looking for work in the UK (e.g. payslips, P60 forms, bank statements)
How do you currently apply for a British passport if you are an EU citizen?
Once in possession of a permanent residence document, EU citizens can apply for full British citizenship.
The requirements for this next application are essentially the same for EU and non-EU citizens.
But applicants usually need to have been living in the UK for at least six years – so those who have applied for permanent residence after just five years may have to wait another 12 months.
There are exceptions to this, such as if the applicant’s husband, wife or civil partner is a British citizen.
In short, applicants must:
- Meet the residency requirements, including an assessment of absences from the UK and where they intend to live
- Pass the Life in the UK Test if between the ages of 18-65 (costing £50, it can be booked online at least three days in advance)
- Prove they speak English – if not from a majority English-speaking country – by passing an English Language Test
- Meet the “Good Character” guidance (no recent or serious criminal convictions, bankruptcy or association with individuals of “bad character”)
Naturalised British citizenship (for those living here for at least six years) costs £1,282 for an adult to apply for.
Fees can vary and a full list can be found here.
Candidates can apply either by filling out this form and sending it in with the appropriate documents listed, using their local council’s Nationality Checking Service (NCS) if they have one, or using a private company or individual that helps and advises them.
All applicants now need to provide their biometric information (fingerprints and photo) costing £19.20.
Forms, fees and supporting documents should be sent to the following address: UKVI, Department 1, The Capital, New Hall Place, Liverpool L3 9PP
