The Ultimate Guide to Naturalisation for Spouses of British Nationals

If you are married to a British citizen, you may be eligible to apply for British citizenship by naturalisation. This means that you can become a British citizen by meeting certain requirements and passing a test and an interview. However, the process of naturalisation is not the same for everyone. Depending on your situation, you may have different residency requirements, exemptions, and costs. In this blog post, we will explain everything you need to know about how to get British citizenship by marriage in 2024.

Residency Requirements for UK Spouse Visa 2024

One of the main requirements for naturalisation is to have lived in the UK for a certain period of time. This is called the residency requirement. However, the residency requirement is different for spouses of British citizens than for other applicants. If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you need to have lived in the UK for at least three years before you apply. This is shorter than the five years required for other applicants.

However, there are also some limits on how much time you can spend outside the UK during these three years. You should not have been absent from the UK for more than 270 days in total, and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months before you apply. If you exceed these limits, your application may be refused.

Exemptions and Special Circumstances for UK Family Visa 2024

There are some situations where the Home Office may waive or reduce the residency requirement for spouses of British citizens. These are called exemptions and special circumstances. For example, if your spouse works abroad for the UK government or an associated organisation, such as the British Council or the BBC, you may be exempt from the residency requirement altogether. This means that you can apply for naturalisation even if you have not lived in the UK for three years.

Other special circumstances that may be considered include:

• Health issues that prevented you from living in the UK at the start of the three-year period
• Travel restrictions that prevented you from entering the UK at the start of the three-year period
• Compassionate reasons, such as bereavement or family illness, that caused you to leave the UK temporarily

If you have any of these special circumstances, you should provide evidence and explain how they affected your ability to meet the residency requirement.

Additional Criteria for UK Dependant Visa 2024

Besides the residency requirement, there are other criteria that you need to meet to apply for naturalisation as a spouse of a British citizen. These include:

• Having one of the following statuses: Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Settled Status (under the EU Settlement Scheme), or Indefinite Leave to Enter the UK
• Being in the UK on the date that your application is received by the Home Office
• Having sufficient knowledge of English, Welsh, or Scottish Gaelic
• Passing the Life in the UK test, which covers topics such as history, culture, and values of the UK
• Being of good character, which means that you have not committed any serious or recent crimes, or have any immigration offences

You will need to provide evidence and documents to prove that you meet these criteria, such as your passport, marriage certificate, language certificate, and test result.

Application Cost and Processing Time for Naturalisation

The cost of applying for naturalisation as a spouse of a British citizen is £1,500, as of 4 October 2023. This includes the application fee, the biometric enrolment fee, and the ceremony fee. You will also need to pay for the Life in the UK test, which costs £50, and the language test, which varies depending on the provider.

The processing time for naturalisation applications is usually six months, but it may take longer in some cases. You will be notified by the Home Office when your application is approved or rejected. If your application is approved, you will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony, where you will take an oath of allegiance and receive your certificate of naturalisation. After that, you can apply for a British passport.

Disclaimer

This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information provided is based on the current rules and regulations, and may be subject to change. You should always consult a qualified immigration lawyer or adviser before applying for naturalisation or any other immigration matter. We are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or consequences that may arise from your use of this information.