If you are a foreign national who has married a British citizen, you may be wondering how long it will take for you to obtain British citizenship. The answer to this question is not straightforward, as the length of time it takes to become a British citizen after marriage depends on several factors.
In this article, we will explore the steps you need to follow to apply for British citizenship as a spouse of a British citizen and the approximate timeline for the application process.
Step 1: Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Before you can apply for British citizenship, you must first apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK. ILR is also known as settlement status, and it allows you to live and work in the UK without any restrictions. To be eligible for ILR, you must have lived in the UK for at least five years on a spouse visa or any other eligible visa category.
The processing time for an ILR application varies depending on the complexity of your case and the volume of applications being processed by the Home Office. However, the average processing time for an ILR application is around six months.
Step 2: Meet the Requirements for British Citizenship
Once you have been granted ILR, you can then apply for British citizenship. To be eligible for British citizenship, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be over 18 years of age
- You must have held ILR for at least 12 months
- You must pass the Life in the UK test
- You must meet the English language requirement
- You must not have any serious criminal convictions or breaches of immigration laws
Step 3: Apply for British Citizenship
To apply for British citizenship, you will need to complete the relevant application form and provide supporting documents to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility criteria. The application fee for British citizenship is currently £1,330 per person.
The processing time for a British citizenship application can vary depending on the complexity of your case and the volume of applications being processed by the Home Office. However, the average processing time for a standard British citizenship application is around six months.
In conclusion,
the length of time it takes to obtain British citizenship after marriage depends on various factors such as the type of visa you hold, the complexity of your case, and the volume of applications being processed by the Home Office. On average, the entire process of obtaining British citizenship after marriage can take up to 18 months or longer.
It is important to note that the information provided in this article is accurate as of the knowledge cutoff date of September 2021, and processing times and eligibility criteria are subject to change. If you have any questions about your eligibility for British citizenship or the application process, it is advisable to seek professional advice from an immigration solicitor or advisor.
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