British Citizenship and Nationality banner

Services

British Citizenship and Nationality

At OTS Solicitors we understand how important it is for our clients and their families to finally settle and make the UK their permanent home. If you are thinking of applying for British citizenship, our specialist British citizenship team will provide the best immigration advice and representation to assist you to become a British citizen.

To talk to one of our award-winning immigration solicitors about applying for British citizenship and nationality, please contact us on 0203 959 9123 to make an appointment.

There are several ways to become a British citizen. Some individuals may be born as British citizens, other will need to be registered as British, but most commonly individuals that have resided lawfully and settled in the UK will need to apply for naturalisation as a British citizen.

Our British nationality and citizenship lawyers can help with issues including:

  • Applying for British citizenship
  • British citizenship refusals
  • The Life in the UK test
  • Immigration advice for the Windrush Generation
  • Dual nationality

Our years of specialist expertise and up-to-the minute knowledge of British citizenship and nationality rules mean our team can significantly increase your chances of a successful application.

Have a question about British citizenship and nationality? Take a look at our answers to questions we have been asked below or feel free to ask our immigration lawyers a question.

Speak to our British citizenship lawyers in London now

We can discuss your British nationality and citizenship requirements with you at our offices, over the phone or online via Web Conferencing such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Cisco WebEx or Skype.

To speak to our British citizenship and nationality lawyers in London, please call now on 0203 959 9123 or use our simple online enquiries form.

Our British citizenship and nationality advice services

Applications for British Citizenship

If you have obtained Indefinite Leave to Remain, or permanent residence, you may be entitled to apply for naturalisation as a British citizen. This will be subject to meeting certain requirements such as your age, residence, character and assessments. What supporting documents are required for British Citizenship?

Our team of immigration solicitors will assist you to show that you meet the following requirements:

  • You are over 18 years old at the point of applying
  • You will continue to live in the UK
  • You have passed the 'Life in the UK' Test
  • You will need to show that you have, as a minimum and depending on your immigration status, resided in the UK for 5 years and in possession of ILR for at least 12 months
  • You will need to show that in the last five years you have not been outside the UK for more than 450 days and 90 days within the last 12 months
  • You have had indefinite leave to remain for the last 12 months
  • You will need to show that you have not broken any immigration laws in the UK
  • You are of a good character and sound mind

British citizenship refusals

If your British citizenship application had been denied, you are likely to be confused and distressed. The good news is that there are options to have this decision reviewed that can potentially still allow you to secure British citizenship.

Depending on the circumstances, you can:

  • Request the reconsideration of the decision by the Home Office – this means the Home Office will review your application and check whether you may, in fact, meet the requirements for British citizenship to be granted.
  • Seek a Judicial Review – this means challenging the lawfulness of the decision to refuse your application for British citizenship e.g. where it may be that the law has not been properly applied or there were mistakes in the processing of your application.

Our expert immigration lawyers have extensive experience with requesting reconsideration of British citizenship applications and seeking Judicial Review of British citizenship refusals. We can help you to choose the right option for you and support you through every stage of proceedings, giving you the best chance of success.

Life in the UK test

All applications for naturalisation are subject to you having passed the ‘Life in the UK’ test and this will need to be evidenced as part of your application.

Our British citizenship lawyers can advise on what the Life in the UK test involves, help you locate the appropriate test centre and support you in preparing for the test.

Immigration advice for the Windrush Generation

Our immigration lawyers have been at the forefront of managing the Windrush Generation scandal. We have assisted a number of individuals and families and been called on by the media to provide further assistance and guidance to the wider public affected by the destructive nature of the Home Offices policies.

Our immigration lawyers and senior solicitors continue to work with clients that have faced the damaging consequences of the Home Office's hostile environment policy and its continuing goal of bringing immigration figures down to tens of thousands. The scandal has shown that the Home Office continues to see many migrants as just numbers and not as hard working families and individuals who have contributed hugely to the wealth and culture of the country.

We strongly believe in the contribution immigrants make to the UK, with many of our team, including our founders, having an immigrant background. We are determined to help those affected by the Windrush scandal to secure their future in the UK.

If you are a member of the Windrush generation, or require expert immigration advice, please contact our office for an appointment on 0203 959 9123.

Dual Nationality

In the UK, once you have obtained your British citizenship you will be entitled to hold both your British and any other nationality as a dual national. However, holding dual nationality is prohibited by some countries.

Our specialist British citizenship team will assess if your country prohibits dual nationality, and we will assist you to contact your embassy or consulate to ensure that you do not stand to lose your citizenship following a successful application for British citizenship.

To discuss the requirement for British citizenship our specialist British citizenship team will be able to help you. Please contact the OTS Solicitors on 0203 959 9123 or contact us online.

Why choose OTS Solicitors to assist with British citizenship applications and nationality issues?

Key reasons to choose our team for British citizenship and nationality advice include:

  • We have a very high success rate for our clients, including for British citizenship applications.
  • We hold the highest Law Society Accreditation award in Immigration Law
  • We have been consistently ranked as leading immigration experts by respected client guides the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners
  • Head of Department Teni Shahiean is a Legal 500 recommended Immigration Lawyer
  • Managing Partner Oshin Shahiean is a Law Society accredited Immigration Supervisor and accredited Senior Level 2 Immigration Advisor OISC Level 3
  • Senior Immigration Consultant Paul Gulbenkian is a former Immigration Tribunal Judge and Crown Court Recorder, a founder member of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) and President of the European Immigration Lawyers Group
  • Our team has over 85 years of combined experience and knowledge covering all areas of immigration law

Your case really matters to our team. We personally invest in our clients because we know how much getting the right outcome means for you and your future.

We are committed to keeping things as simple, smooth and seamless as possible for you, including providing a fixed fee so you know exactly how much our support will cost. You will work directly with an experienced immigration lawyer and we will always be available to answer any questions you may have.

You can read more about our expertise and exceptional personal service on our main immigration service page.

Speak to our British citizenship and nationality lawyers in London now

We can discuss how we can help with you with British citizenship and nationality at our offices, over the phone or online via Web Conferencing such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Cisco WebEx or Skype.

To speak to our British citizenship and nationality lawyers in London, please call now on 0203 959 9123 or use our simple online enquiries form.

Your Questions and our answers about British Citizenship and Nationality

While your drink driving conviction may be considered under the good character requirements for naturalisation, it is not an automatic disqualifier. The UK Home Office assesses applications on an individual basis, taking into account factors such as the nature of the offence, the penalty imposed, and your conduct since then. It is crucial to provide comprehensive details in your application, including any rehabilitation efforts. Consulting with an immigration solicitor is advisable for tailored advice to enhance your chances of a successful naturalisation application. For more information, please contact us on 02039599123 or click here 

Thank you for your question. exceeding the allowed absences from the UK can pose challenges in the application for British citizenship. However, each case is unique, and there might be circumstances such as work-related travel or COVID-19-related restrictions impacting your travel as you have mentioned, that could be considered when assessing your application. It’s essential to provide a detailed explanation for the excess absences, highlighting any exceptional circumstances like work commitments or pandemic-related travel restrictions that led to your prolonged time outside the UK. The Home Office has discretionary powers in such cases, and they may consider individual circumstances when deciding on citizenship applications. For more information, please contact us on 02039599123 or click here 

Exceeding the allowable absences from the UK could impact your eligibility for British citizenship, but it doesn’t necessarily mean an automatic rejection. The standard requirement for absences is usually not exceeding 450 days in the past 5 years for settled status or indefinite leave to remain. The rules are different for those married to a British national.

However, there can be discretion in exceptional circumstances, such as for work-related travel or situations impacted by COVID-19 restrictions that caused unavoidable absences. The Home Office might consider these circumstances when assessing your application.

It’s crucial to provide a detailed explanation and evidence supporting these absences in your citizenship application. Documentation of work-related travel, COVID-19-related travel disruptions, letters from employers verifying work obligations, or any other supporting evidence can strengthen your case.

The decision ultimately lies with the Home Office, and they may consider various factors when reviewing your application, including the reasons for your absences and your ties to the UK. For more information, please contact us on 02039599123 or click here 

Thank you for your enquiry.

The requirements are fairly complex for this procedure and we would advise that you arrange a consultation to determine if this route is appropriate. For more information, please call 02039599123 or click here 

Thank you for your enquiry.

Usually, 12 months need to have passed after obtaining ILR. Based on the information provided, you may be eligible in March 2024. The rules are different if you are married to a British national. In terms of the tests, we would need to see these prior to advising however the LiUK test does not need to be retaken. Please contact us on 02039599123 or click here 

Thank you for your enquiry.

The rules have changed in recent years and based on the information provided, you may be eligible to make an application. We would recommend that you get in touch for more information and visit our sponsorship licence pages. Please contact us on 02039599123 or click here 

Thank you for your enquiry.

Convictions and sentences may affect your application outcome. The rules are different depending on the length of time passed and the severity of the offence. We would recommend that you get in touch for more information and visit our sponsorship licence pages. Please contact us on 02039599123 or click here 

Thank you for your enquiry.

Usually, you would need to hold Settled Status or Indefinite Leave to Remain for at least 12 months from the date of issue. There are different rules for those married to a British Citizen.  For more information, please call 02039599123 or click here 

Thank you for your enquiry. As part of a naturalisation application, good character is one of the key requirement and full disclosure of your circumstance must be made. As your circumstances are complex, we would like to invite you to arrange a consultation with us so that we can understand your situation in full detail and to have full instructions from you. Should you decide to arrange an appointment, feel free to call our switchboard number on 02039599123 or click here and we would be glad to assist you.

Thank you for your enquiry.

It is not clear what your current status is in order to apply however it is unlikely that you would have an application approved due to the continuous residence requirements required for naturalisation applications. Please call 02039599123 or click here 

Thank you for your enquiry. The Home Office guidance states that applications for naturalisation (citizenship) will result in decisions within 6 months however this may take longer. If your application has been outstanding for more than 6 months, please call us on 02039 599123 or contact us here

Thank you for your enquiry. You will still need to provide 5 years of continuous residence in the UK in addition to your settled status to be on the safe side. PAYE records would likely count towards evidence to meet this requirement. For more information, call us on 02039 599123 or contact us here.

    Your question will be processed by us in accordance with our Legal Notice and Privacy and Cookies policy. By submitting a question, you consent to such processing and you warrant that all data provided by you is accurate. We reserve the right to display your question.

    The answer will be emailed to you.

    If you would like us to call you back with a more detailed answer.

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.