Do you wish to apply for British Citizenship?
If you don’t have a claim to British Citizenship based on your lineage, you will have to apply for naturalisation in either of the two categories:
· Naturalisation after five years in the UK
· Naturalisation after three years in the UK as a spouse of a UK Citizen
To be naturalized as a British Citizen you should fulfill statutory norms regarding your immigration status, length of residence in the UK, knowledge of the English language and life in the UK, and good character. You should check your eligibility carefully and apply under a suitable category since criteria vary considerably depending upon your situation.
Another crucial criterion is passing the British Citizenship KOLL test(Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK).
British CitizenshipLanguage Test:
You will have to pass the British Citizenship Language test where you demonstrate your proficiency in English at the intermediate level (or in Welsh or Scottish Gaelic).
You can prove it by having either:
an English qualification at B1, B2, C1 or C2 level( depending on your application category)
a degree taught or researched in English
You can take any of the following approved tests:
· GESE by Trinity College London
· IELTS SELT Consortium (UK or overseas)
· ESOL by LanguageCert (UK or overseas)
· PTE by Pearson (UK and overseas)
You can be exempted from the English test in certain circumstances.
You can book the test at any of the official test centres. The test generally costs £150 and is valid for two years.
Life in the UK Test
Life in the UK test aims to assess whether you can adapt easily to life in the UK. It tests your awareness of UK traditions, laws, culture, and values. The exam can be taken any number of times until you clear it.
The test questions will come from the following areas:
· The values and principles of the UK
· The UK culture and traditions
· Events that have shaped the UK's history
· UK government and law
· How to engage with the UK community
There are around 24 questions to be answered in 45 minutes. You need to study the official handbook to pass the test. Test booking can be done at GOV.UK at a fee of £50.
Application Process for British citizenship
After checking your eligibility and clearing the British citizenship test (unless you are exempted) you need to keep all the documents at hand, the details of which are available at GOV.UK
You usually need to prove how long you’ve lived in the UK. This is called the ‘residency requirement’. The residency requirement for you will depend on your situation. Ensure you have the credentials to prove how long you have lived in the UK.
You can then apply for British citizenship either yourself or through an agent or representative. Form AN is the Application for naturalisation as a British Citizen. It requires you to provide your biographical information, proof of residency, employment details, etc.
You simply have to fill the form online at GOV.UK. You will have to visit a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information. You can upload your documents online or get them scanned at the UKVCAS facility.
If you are applying online, check if an agent or representative is registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC).
After the documentation and verification process, wait for your result, and finally relish the citizenship ceremony!!!