British citizenship applications by US citizens surged in 2024, with over 6,100 applications and a particularly sharp rise in the final quarter with a 40 per cent increase in applications, according to data published by the Home Office.

But why is it becoming so attractive to so many Americans? In this blog, we outline the main benefits of British citizenship and how to apply through ‘naturalisation’.

British citizens can live and work in the UK freely without any immigration controls. They can apply for a British passport, register to vote in elections, and access free healthcare through the NHS. The UK allows dual citizenship (also known as dual nationality) which means Americans can reap the benefits of both UK and US citizenship.

British citizenship is open to people who have fulfilled several requirements, including factors such as how long they have lived in the UK, whether they are married to a British citizen and whether they have British parents. 

The most common route for Americans is through ‘naturalisation’ which is based on time spent in the UK. You will have held permission to remain in the UK on an eligible visa route before applying to settle in the UK (also known as indefinite leave to remain), typically after 5 years.

If you are married to a British citizen, you can apply to naturalise as soon as you have been granted indefinite leave to remain. For everyone else, you must wait 12 months from the date on which you were granted indefinite leave to remain.

Other requirements of naturalisation include:

• Physical presence in the UK
• Permanent immigration status
• Absence requirement
• Knowledge of English language and life in the UK
• Intention to live in the UK
• Good character requirement

Not married to a British citizen

If you are not married to a British citizen (or do not wish to rely on your marriage to a British citizen), the Home Office must be satisfied that:

• You were physically present in the UK exactly five years before it receives your application. For example, if the Home Office receives your application on 20 June 2025 but you left the UK on 10 June 2020 and returned on 25 June 2020, you would not qualify. You would need to wait until 24 June 2025 to apply.
• You have not spent more than 450 days outside the UK during the five years before your application.
• You have not spent more than 90 days outside the UK during the twelve months before your application.
• You have not at any time in the five years been in breach of UK immigration laws.
• You have not held any time-limited immigration permission currently or in the past twelve months prior to your application.
• You are of good character.
• You have sufficient knowledge of the English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic language.
• You have passed the Life in the UK test.
• Your home (or principal home) will be in the UK.

Married to a British citizen

If you are married to a British citizen, the Home Office must be satisfied that:

• You were physically present in the UK exactly three years before it receives your application. For example, if the Home Office receives your application on 20 June 2025 but you left the UK on 10 June 2022 and returned 25 June 2022, you would not qualify. You would need to wait until 24 June 2025 to apply.
• You have not spent more than 270 days outside the UK during the three years before your application.
• You have not spent more than 90 days outside the UK during the 12 months before your application.
• You have not at any time in the three years been in breach of UK immigration laws.
• You have not held any time-limited immigration permission currently or in the past twelve months prior to your application.
• You are of good character.
• You have sufficient knowledge of the English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic language.
• You have passed the Life in the UK test.

The application costs £1,735 (this includes the citizenship ceremony fee). You will also have to enrol your biometrics at a local visa centre and attend a citizenship ceremony if your application is successful.

Whether you’re ready to apply to naturalise as a British citizen, or you are at the start of your immigration journey and want to know the fastest route to citizenship, To discuss your next steps, please contact Roisin Dugan.

We also support clients from the very start, find out more about our immigration options and how they can lead to citizenship. 

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