Your Complete Guide to Becoming a British Citizen
Suppose you're currently on Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and planning to apply for British citizenship and a UK passport. In that case, this guide will explain everything you need to know, from eligibility to application steps.
Step 1: Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
What is ILR?
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is permanent residency in the UK. It allows you to live, work, and travel freely without visa restrictions.
Who Can Apply for ILR?
You can apply for ILR if you have lived legally in the UK for:
✔ 5 years on a Skilled Worker, Spouse, or Innovator Visa
✔ 10 years under the Long Residence route
✔ 2-3 years for Investor, Innovator, or Global Talent visa holders
✔ Refugees or people under humanitarian protection
ILR Application Requirements
✅ You must have lived in the UK for the required period
✅ No criminal records or visa breaches
✅ Pass the Life in the UK Test
✅ Meet the English language requirement
✅ Proof of employment or financial stability
ILR Processing Time & Fees
⏳ Processing Time: Standard – up to 6 months, but Priority & Super Priority services are available for faster decisions
💰 ILR Application Fee: £2,885 for the main applicant
Step 2: British Citizenship (Naturalisation) After ILR
Who Can Apply for British Citizenship?
After getting ILR, you must wait 12 months before applying for Naturalisation unless you’re married to a British citizen.
✔ Lived in the UK for at least 5 years
✔ Not spent more than 450 days outside the UK
✔ Not left the UK for more than 90 days in the last year
✔ Good character requirement (no serious criminal convictions)
✔ Passed the Life in the UK Test & English language test
Naturalisation Processing Time & Fees
⏳ Processing Time: Around 6 months
💰 Naturalisation Fee: £1,500
Once approved, you’ll receive your Certificate of Naturalisation, which allows you to apply for a British passport.
Step 3: Applying for a British Passport
Once you become a British citizen, the final step is getting your British passport, which allows visa-free travel to over 180 countries.
British Passport Application Requirements
✅ Certificate of Naturalisation
✅ Current valid passport
✅ Two passport-sized photos
✅ A countersignature (if required)
British Passport Processing Time & Fees
⏳ Processing Time: Standard – 3 to 10 weeks
💰 Fee: £88.50 for an adult passport (standard 34-page)
Below are the document checklists for applying for a British Passport and Naturalisation Certificate for both adults and minors.
📌 British Passport Application – Documents Checklist
For Adults (First-Time British Passport after Naturalisation)
✅ Completed Passport Application Form (Online or Paper Form)
✅ Naturalisation Certificate (Proof of British Citizenship)
✅ Current Valid Passport (from your previous nationality)
✅ Two Passport-Sized Photos (Must meet UK passport photo guidelines)
✅ Proof of Address (Utility Bill, Bank Statement, or Council Tax Bill)
✅ Biometric Residence Permit (if applicable)
✅ Countersignature on Passport Form & One Photo (If required, from a professional person)
✅ Marriage or Divorce Certificate (If name change applies)
✅ UK Birth Certificate (If applicable)
⏳ Processing Time: 3 to 10 weeks
💰 Fee: £88.50 (34-page passport), £100.50 (50-page frequent traveler passport)
For Minors (Child First British Passport)
✅ Completed Passport Application Form
✅ Child’s Full UK Birth Certificate or Adoption Certificate
✅ Parent’s British Passport or Naturalisation Certificate
✅ Current Valid Passport of Child (if applicable)
✅ Proof of Parental Responsibility (Marriage Certificate or Court Order if parents are separated)
✅ Two Passport-Sized Photos (Meeting UK passport photo guidelines)
✅ Countersignature on Form & One Photo (By a professional person)
⏳ Processing Time: 3 to 10 weeks
💰 Fee: £57.50 (34-page passport), £69.50 (50-page passport)
📌 British Citizenship (Naturalisation Certificate) – Documents Checklist
For Adults (Applying for Naturalisation)
✅ Completed British Citizenship Application Form (Form AN)
✅ Life in the UK Test Pass Certificate
✅ English Language Requirement Proof (B1 CEFR test or UK Degree)
✅ Current Valid Passport & BRP (Biometric Residence Permit)
✅ Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Settled Status Proof
✅ UK Address Proof (Council Tax, Utility Bill, or Bank Statement)
✅ Employment or Financial Evidence (Payslips, Tax Returns, or Business Documents)
✅ Two References from British Citizens (One professional, one personal)
⏳ Processing Time: Up to 6 months
💰 Fee: £1,500
For Minors (Child British Citizenship Application)
✅ Completed British Citizenship Application Form (Form MN1)
✅ Child’s Birth Certificate (Showing UK birth or parental connection)
✅ Parent’s British Citizenship or Settled Status Proof
✅ Child’s Current Valid Passport & BRP (if applicable)
✅ Parental Responsibility Proof (Marriage Certificate or Court Order if parents are separated)
✅ Two References (British Citizens) for the Child
⏳ Processing Time: Up to 6 months
💰 Fee: £1,214
Why ILR to British Citizenship is Important?
✔️ Full UK rights – No visa extensions needed
✔️ Eligible for a British passport – Easy travel worldwide
✔️ Access to public funds & healthcare
✔️ Freedom to live & work in any country under UK agreements
Surrendering Your Indian Passport & Applying for OCI
After obtaining British citizenship and receiving your British passport, you must surrender your Indian passport to comply with Indian government regulations. Holding an Indian passport after becoming a British citizen is illegal, and failure to surrender it can result in penalties or fines.
Why Is Surrendering Your Indian Passport Important?
India does not allow dual citizenship – Once you become a British citizen, your Indian passport is no longer valid.
Using an Indian passport after getting British nationality is illegal – You could face fines of up to £1,000 if caught using an Indian passport for travel.
You need a Surrender Certificate to apply for OCI – This document proves you have officially renounced Indian citizenship.
How Matrix Solutions Helps You?
✅ Surrender Certificate Application – We handle the full application process.
✅ Pre-Filled Forms & Document Assistance – Avoid errors and delays.
✅ VFS Appointment Booking – Get your surrender application submitted easily.
✅ OCI Card Assistance – Once your passport is surrendered, we guide you through the OCI application process.
✅ Fast & Smooth Processing – Complete both applications without hassle.
What is an OCI Card & Why Do You Need It?
After surrendering your Indian passport, you can apply for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card, which grants lifetime visa-free travel to India and other benefits similar to NRIs.
📌 Applying for OCI is a one-time process and allows you to:
Travel to India without a visa
Live, work, or study in India indefinitely
Own property in India (except agricultural land)
At Matrix Solutions, we ensure a smooth transition from British citizenship to OCI with:
✅ Pre-filled OCI application forms
✅ Correct document submission to avoid rejections
✅ VFS appointment booking & Guidance
Final Steps After British Citizenship
1️⃣ Surrender Indian Passport & Obtain Surrender Certificate
2️⃣ Apply for OCI Card for hassle-free travel to India
3️⃣ Enjoy the benefits of British citizenship while staying connected to India