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 in becoming 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, others 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

Our UK citizenship lawyers 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.

Our UK citizenship lawyers 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 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
• 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 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 has 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 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 British citizenship 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 several individuals and families and have been called on by the media to provide further assistance and guidance to the wider public affected by the destructive nature of the Home Office policies.

Our immigration lawyers and senior solicitors continue to work with clients who 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 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 in contacting your embassy or consulate to ensure that you do not stand to lose your existing citizenship following a successful application for British citizenship.

To discuss the requirements 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.

British citizenship and nationality explained

What qualifies you to be a British citizen?

You may already be a British citizen if you have a British parent or were born in the UK or a British overseas territory. You might also already be a British citizen if you were born in a British colony before 1983.

If none of these criteria apply, then you may be able to apply to become a British citizen through a process called ‘naturalisation’. To make an application, you must be over 18 and either were born in the UK or moved to the UK. You may also be eligible if you have a different type of British nationality, such as being a British overseas citizen.

To apply for naturalisation, you must already have the right to live permanently in the UK, for example, having been granted indefinite leave to remain or have settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

We can provide expert British citizenship advice to help you understand your options based on your circumstances.

Can I apply for British citizenship by myself?

Yes, you can apply for British citizenship by yourself but working with a specialist solicitor for a British citizenship application can be very beneficial.

A lawyer can help to make sure you are eligible to apply, that all the requirements are met, and that all paperwork is filled out accurately. Mistakes in the application process are one of the most common reasons British citizenship applications get delayed or turned down, so working with a lawyer for your citizenship application can increase your chances of success.

A lawyer can also advise you on your options if your application for British nationality is turned down, including your right to appeal.

How much does it cost to get British citizenship?

There is a government fee of £1,630 to apply for British citizenship (as of April 2024). If you would like a member of our team to assist with your application, then we can normally do so on a fixed fee basis. We will be happy to discuss our pricing when you contact us.

How long does the application take?

You will normally get a decision on your UK citizenship application within 6 months; however, the process can sometimes take longer, especially if there are any issues with your application.

What documents do I need for proof of residence for British citizenship?

Proof of residence can normally be established automatically when you apply via checks with HMRC or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

If these checks are not able to show that you meet the continuous residence requirement, then you may need to provide this evidence in another way e.g. bank statements showing that you were receiving and/or spending money in the UK for the relevant period, annual business accounts or a dated and signed letter from an employer.

Read more about what supporting documents are required for British Citizenship.

Can you get legal aid to apply for British citizenship?

Legal aid is only available for British citizenship applications in very limited circumstances, such as for qualifying asylum cases. In most cases, you will need to fund the cost of your application yourself.

Can I pay for British citizenship in instalments?

The government requires the application fee to be paid in full before your application can be processed. Some organisations may be able to support you with a loan that allows you to apply, and then repay the cost in instalments, but you would need to arrange this privately.

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 matters to our team. We 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 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.