Citizenship of the United Kingdom provides a person with legal settlement in the UK for a long period without immigration controls, making it possible for him or her to leave the UK and then come back without any restrictions and time limits.

Apart from the right to reside and work in the UK, British citizens also have the freedom to apply for a passport with which they can easily travel or seek consular assistance while abroad.

British citizenship may be acquired through three methods: Registration, Naturalisation, or Acquisition.

If you want to know how to apply for British Citizenship and the processing time involved, keep reading. 

Processing Times

It may take upwards of 6 months to process applications for Registration or Naturalisation as a British Citizen. Typically, however, we get responses from the Home Office about UK Citizenship within approximately 3 months. For an additional charge, however, an applicant may also choose to accelerate the application. Clear and strong applications backed by comprehensive evidence and relevant legal submissions may therefore be the basis for fast jumping in the decision-making process.

Changes to your details should immediately be informed to the Home Office during this period. You must also respond to the Home Office when they ask you to provide additional details about your application within the specified time limits. By doing so, you will ensure that the process for your application goes smoothly.

The general timeline for the above event concerning the British Naturalisation application:

• Filling out citizenship applications to the Home Office with payment of application fees

• Receipt of acknowledgement which is usually made about 5 working days after British citizenship application

• Biometrics to be enrolled any time after citizenship application subject to appointment availability

• Between 1 and 6 months after filling out your application you can expect your approval letter

• Next after 1 week of approval, you can expect your ceremony letter 

• In about 1 month after citizenship approval, you can get your date of Ceremony

British Citizenship applications cannot be availed on priority services. Applications for select British Passports, however, may be offered Premium or Fast-track services on a limited scale.

What Factors Affect the Processing Times?

Some of the aspects that may delay the time taken in processing UK visas are: 

• Complexity of particular cases such as where ECHR Article 8 rights require assessment or derivative rights of other EEA extended family members

• Suitability requirement concerns, including considerations of criminality

• Consideration of previous immigration adverse history

• Genuine concerns about the authenticity of documents

• The number of documents given

• Further investigation or interview

• Caseworker availability

• The time of the year when the application is made

You can not opt for priority or super-priority services when opting for British citizenship. You have to follow the standard processing time and wait till you receive a decision from the Home Office.

In some cases, there may be delays in decision-making by the Home Office. For example, in the past couple of years owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and due to the humanitarian crisis caused by the invasion of Ukraine, many applicants for visas to the UK have faced lengthy delays.

Referee for British Citizenship Applications

For an application for British citizenship, you need 2 suitable referees who would sign a declaration along with your application. Such referees would state that the information supplied herewith is true and have known the applicant for not less than three years. Also, these referee

s must not have been convicted of any criminal offenses in the last ten years.If you want to know more about the requirements of a referee in a British Citizenship application, you can visit the official immigration and visas website of the UK government. 

Can I Leave the UK while Awaiting a Decision on my British Citizenship Application?

Yes, you can visit outside the UK once you have submitted your application for British Citizenship. You can apply for British Citizenship by submitting a full certified copy of the passport, keeping the original passport with you. Then, you can use your original passport to travel abroad.

Naturalization application does not confer any immigration permission, and one has to prove their entitlement to re-enter the UK at the border. It means you should also travel with evidence of your ILR or any other immigration status that you hold as valid.

Biometric information, in general, has to be given within 45 days of the application for British citizenship submission. This may require going personally to a biometrics center. The application would become illegal without biometric data at the given time.

Don't forget that if your British Citizenship application is successful, you will have to book a ceremony to obtain the award of citizenship in the UK within 90 days.

British Citizenship Ceremony

Attending a British citizenship ceremony after getting approval is the last step towards being a British citizen. This ceremony is arranged after your successful application to welcome you to the British community. It has to happen within 90 days of receiving the ceremony invitation.

New citizens are required to take the Oath or Affirmation of allegiance to the King and make a Pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom during the ceremony. The ceremony can be in the form of a group event arranged by the local authority. New citizens will therefore also receive an information pack and a British nationality certificate.

Note that an invitation to a citizenship ceremony is not proof of citizenship in itself. 

Conclusion 

You need to be patient during the processing period of your British citizenship application. You must follow all rules and requirements when submitting your citizenship application to ensure chances of approval by the Home Office. Hiring an immigration solicitor can help you navigate the process better and keep you updated on all requirements.