United Kingdom (GB)
The United Kingdom — comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy of 68 million people, and one of the world's leading economies, cultural powerhouses, and global cities.
Capital: London
Region: Europe
Language: English
Currency: GBP (£)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 78)
Emergency: 999
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Citizenship & Permanent Residency
Long-term settlement options in United Kingdom.
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Permanent Residency
Name
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Eligibility
Non-British/Irish nationals who have lived continuously in the UK for 5 years on an eligible visa (Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, and most work routes). Family members on dependent visas also qualify after 5 years.
Duration
Permanent (does not expire). ILR is lost if you spend more than 2 consecutive years outside the UK without applying for a Returning Resident visa.
Requirements
- ✓5 years continuous lawful residence in the UK on an eligible visa
- ✓No more than 180 days absence from the UK in any single 12-month period during the qualifying 5 years
- ✓English language: B1 level minimum (IELTS, Cambridge, or equivalent) OR hold a degree taught in English
- ✓Life in the UK test: pass the 24-question test (must score at least 75%) covering British history, culture, traditions, and the legal system
- ✓Valid current immigration leave (no overstaying)
- ✓No serious criminal convictions
- ✓Application fee: £3,226 (from 8 April 2026; was £3,029 before that date)
ILR is the closest status to citizenship — full right to work, access benefits, and live in the UK permanently without restrictions. A "Home Office biometric" appointment is required. Processing: 6 months (standard); priority 5 working days for additional fee. Home Office fees increased on 8 April 2026. Settled Status (under the EU Settlement Scheme for pre-2021 EU arrivals) is the equivalent to ILR for EU/EEA citizens who arrived before 31 December 2020.
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Citizenship
Name
British Citizenship (Naturalisation)
Eligibility
Non-British/Irish nationals who have held ILR (or Settled Status) for at least 12 months AND have lived in the UK for at least 5 years total (6 years for most applicants who got ILR after 5 years on a work visa).
Duration
Permanent
Requirements
- ✓Hold ILR or Settled Status for at least 12 months before application
- ✓Total of 5 years (or more) lawful continuous residence in the UK — the last 12 months must be with ILR/Settled Status
- ✓No more than 450 days absent from the UK in the 5-year qualifying period, and no more than 90 days absent in the final 12 months
- ✓Pass the Life in the UK test (same 24-question test as for ILR)
- ✓English language: B1 CEFR or equivalent (or hold an English-language degree or previous English language test)
- ✓Good character requirement: no serious criminal convictions, no immigration offences, no fraud
- ✓Application fee: £1,709 (from 8 April 2026; was £1,500 before that date) + £130 citizenship ceremony fee
- ✓Attend a citizenship ceremony and take the Oath of Allegiance
British citizenship by naturalisation gives the right to a British passport (one of the world's most powerful — visa-free access to 180+ countries). Ceremony required — attended at local council. Citizenship ceremonies are typically pleasant community events. British citizenship cannot be revoked except in cases of fraud or national security. Dual citizenship is permitted for naturalised citizens.
Other Routes to Residency & Citizenship
British Citizenship by Birth or Descent
Eligibility
Born in the UK before 1 January 1983: automatically British. Born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983 to a British parent or settled parent: British at birth. Born outside the UK to a British parent (first generation by descent): may be British. Second and third generation born abroad: complex rules, may require registration.
Duration / Outcome
Permanent
Requirements
- ✓Birth registration at a British consulate/embassy (for births abroad)
- ✓Evidence of parent's British status at time of birth
- ✓Passport applications via HMPO (His Majesty's Passport Office)
British citizenship by descent only passes to the first generation born outside the UK in most cases. Registration is available for some children who missed automatic citizenship. The British Nationality Act 1981 governs nationality law. Complex cases should use a specialist immigration solicitor.
EU Settlement Scheme (Settled Status)
Eligibility
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who were living in the UK before 31 December 2020 and applied by the deadline (30 June 2021 for most; late applications still considered).
Duration / Outcome
Permanent (Settled Status = ILR equivalent; Pre-Settled Status = time-limited, requires conversion to Settled Status).
Requirements
- ✓Evidence of residence in the UK before 31 December 2020
- ✓Application via the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) digital application
- ✓No fee
- ✓Pre-Settled Status: 2 years of residence; Settled Status: 5 years of continuous residence
The EUSS is now closed to new applications (except in exceptional circumstances). Holders of Pre-Settled Status must convert to Settled Status before it expires to avoid losing their rights. Settled Status holders can apply for ILR and then citizenship on the standard timeline. The UK government has confirmed that Pre-Settled Status will be extended automatically where holders fail to apply in time — this remains an evolving area of policy.
🌍 Dual Citizenship
✓
Dual citizenship is allowed — The UK permits dual (multiple) citizenship — British nationals who naturalise in another country do not lose their British citizenship, and non-British nationals who naturalise as British are not required by UK law to renounce their original citizenship. However, other countries' laws may not permit dual citizenship — check with your home country. Many countries (Germany, Japan, China, Netherlands, India, and others) require renunciation of original nationality upon acquiring British citizenship. Post-Brexit, EU citizens naturalising as British retain their EU citizenship under EU rules unless their home member state prohibits it. British citizens living in some countries (notably the USA) face complex tax obligations — take specialist advice.
Citizenship & Permanent Residency
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