Different cases of naturalization of immigrants in the United Kingdom

The UK is very attractive to foreigners and there are many who wish to acquire citizenship after having resided there. For an immigrant, there are different ways to become a citizen in the United Kingdom, the most common case being naturalization, that is, the acquisition of a nationality or citizenship by an individual who does not has not been since birth. However, this naturalization differs depending on the case.

If you are single or have no spouse with citizenship

Conditions to be fulfilled

·      First you must be at least 18 years old.

·      Since your criminal record will be verified, you must have a clean criminal record hence the importance of being of good character. To have the intention of continuing to live in the United Kingdom.

·      Living in the UK Generally, you must have lived a minimum of 5 years in the UK before applying for naturalization. You must not have left the territory 3 months in the past year, and 1 year 3 months in the last 5 years.

·      Have a permanent residence card at least 1-year-old

·      Have an acceptable aptitude in English or Welsh and or Scottish

·      Not to have broken the immigration laws in the UK

·      Pass the famous "life in UK" test: test on cultural and government issues in the UK. This test usually has 24 questions and lasts 45 minutes. If you succeed in correctly answering three quarters of the minimum questions, then you will be considered fit. For this, you should buy a learning guide.

·      Submit your application and pay the required fees. The request can be made either by downloading an online form, filling it out and sending it by mail; it can be done by making an appointment at a National Citizen Service (NCS) office or by having a lawyer or a private agency assist you in filing the application.

Where your spouse has citizenship

Conditions to be fulfilled

    In case you are married or if you have a partner who already has citizenship, you can apply for naturalization under the following conditions

·      Be in possession of a permanent resident card as mentioned above

·      Be 18 years old or older

·      Live in the UK during the previous three years and have not left the country for more than 270 days during that period or more than 90 days in the last 12 months.

·      Pass the "life in the UK test"

·      Being able to make your own decisions, in short, being holy of spirit

·      Have a clean criminal record

·      Have a good knowledge of English, Welsh and Scottish

·      To have respected the immigration laws in the United Kingdom

 

If you are under 18

In this case, you will only need to apply on behalf of this person under the age of 18 if they meet the eligibility criteria. The life test in the United Kingdom is not imposed on them.

 

Benefits of naturalization in the United Kingdom

If it is true that fulfilling the above conditions makes you just eligible and does not automatically grant you nationality, having British nationality opens several doors for you. It gives you the same rights as a native of the United Kingdom. So no matter where you come from, no distinction will be made between you who are naturalized and that other citizen who was born there and has lived all his life.

The British passport gives access to no less than 173 countries in the world; moreover, you will no longer be required to have a visa if you decide to travel to the Commonwealth Member States (they are 53 states). That is to say that if you have planned a trip to South Africa, Nigeria, Canada, Cyprus ... You will no longer be required to have a visa to take the flight.

This naturalization will allow you to benefit from the social and health benefits. You will therefore be eligible for health and social security benefits. You can benefit from student loans for example to finance your studies. You can work in any public service and even for the police. As a citizen of the United Kingdom, he will be entitled to vote in any elections.

In short, obtaining naturalization in the United Kingdom is a rather complex and above all unpredictable process because, as mentioned above, all the conditions mentioned above can be fulfilled, but you do not get nationality. However, the risk is worth the cost because its benefits can be of paramount importance for your life, your well-being as well as your personal fulfilment.