UK Citizenship Eligibility Calculator

British citizenship through naturalisation requires at least 12 months of ILR (or 3 years if married to a British citizen and applying without ILR). You must have lived in the UK for at least 5 years (3 years if married to a British citizen), pass the Life in the UK test, and meet English language requirements.

The residency requirement includes not being absent for more than 450 days in the 5 years before the application, and not more than 90 days in the 12 months before the application. The calculator checks these thresholds against your travel history.

This calculator maps the full timeline and costs from your initial visa through ILR to citizenship, including all application fees, IHS payments, language tests and the citizenship ceremony fee. It shows the earliest date you can apply and the total financial investment.

UK Citizenship — application costs 2026. Naturalisation by Marriage (3+ years residence, married to British citizen, ILR for any duration): £1,500 + £80 ceremony = £1,580. Naturalisation Standard (5+ years residence, ILR for 12+ months): £1,500 + £80 = £1,580. Children's registration: £1,214. Spouses applying together: £1,500 each. Life in the UK test (mandatory): £50 (pass mark 75% — 18/24 questions). English language test (B1 minimum if not native speaker): £150-£200. Total typical adult: £1,730-£1,930.

Eligibility — the basic rules. Naturalisation: ILR or settled status for 12+ months (most categories) OR married to British citizen with no specific ILR duration. Residency: spent UK 5+ years (3 years if married). Absences: no more than 450 days outside UK in 5 years (or 270 days for spouse route). Last 12 months: no more than 90 days outside UK. 'Good character': no serious convictions (any prison sentence usually disqualifying), no immigration breaches, no fraud. Plus: sound mind (capacity), intent to remain in UK.

Life in the UK test — what to expect. 45-minute computer-based test at approved centre (300+ UK locations). 24 questions, multiple choice, pass mark 75% (18 correct). Topics: UK history (British Empire, Tudors, World Wars, 20th century); culture (sports, music, traditional foods); government (Parliament, voting, devolution); legal system; festivals and holidays. Study book: official Life in the UK Handbook £12-£14 (third edition). Pass rate ~80% — fail rate higher for non-native English speakers. Resit £50 (no limit on attempts).

English language requirement. Pass B1 CEFR English test: IELTS Life Skills B1; Trinity GESE Grade 5; LanguageCert International ESOL B1; Pearson PTE Academic UKVI 51+. £150-£200 typical fee. EXEMPT: citizens of majority-English-speaking countries (USA, Canada, Australia, NZ, Ireland, Commonwealth English-speaking); has degree taught in English (verified by UK ENIC); over 65; mental/physical condition preventing test. Test valid 2 years from completion.

Becoming British — process timeline. Application submitted online via gov.uk: 6-12 month processing typical (some up to 24 months). Biometrics appointment: 2-4 weeks after application. Decision: 6-12 months. Citizenship ceremony at council: book within 3 months of approval. Take Oath of Allegiance + receive certificate. Apply for British passport (£100, 3-week processing). Dual citizenship: UK permits — but check your other country's rules (some require renunciation: India, China, Japan don't allow dual). Children born in UK to British citizens: automatic British citizenship by birth.