How to become a British citizen in 2026: every step from settlement to the ceremony
Most adults become British citizens by naturalisation after settling in the UK. The road has five steps: meet the residence rules, prove your English, pass the Life in the UK Test, apply and pay, and attend a citizenship ceremony. The figures below are from GOV.UK, read on 22 October 2026. Check each one on GOV.UK before you apply; immigration rules change often. This is general information, not legal advice.
Step 1: check that you are eligible
GOV.UK's rules for someone applying on the basis of indefinite leave to remain (ILR):
| Requirement | What GOV.UK asks |
|---|---|
| Age | 18 or over |
| Settlement | ILR, settled status or indefinite leave to enter, held for at least 12 months (not needed if you are married to a British citizen) |
| Residence | Lived in the UK for 5 years, and physically in the UK exactly 5 years before the Home Office receives your application |
| Absences | No more than 450 days outside the UK in those 5 years, and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months |
| Future | You intend to keep living in the UK |
| Character | Of good character |
Some people from the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein with pre-settled status can also qualify; GOV.UK sets out the conditions.
Keep an eye on long trips: GOV.UK warns that ILR can be lost after more than 2 years away, and settled status after more than 5.
Step 2: prove your English
You need to show knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic. Accepted proof includes an approved English test at B1 or above in speaking and listening, or a degree taught in English. This is a separate requirement from the Life in the UK Test: passing one does not cover the other.
Step 3: pass the Life in the UK Test
The test is 24 questions in 45 minutes on a computer at one of more than 30 centres. You pass with 75%, which is 18 right. It costs £50 each time and is booked online at least 3 days ahead. Every question comes from the handbook Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition). You do not take it if you are under 18 or 65 or over, or if you passed it before, for example for settlement.
Prepare here: sit the free Life in the UK practice test without an account. Each paper is a new draw of 24 from our bank, marked at 18. You can also practise one handbook topic at a time, such as Tudors, Stuarts and 1707. The booking guide covers the day of the test.
Step 4: apply and pay
The fee on GOV.UK is £1,839: £1,709 for the application and £130 for the citizenship ceremony. After applying you give your fingerprints and a photo (biometrics), which costs nothing extra. A decision usually comes within 6 months, and you are told if yours will take longer. Your permission to stay must last until your ceremony.
Step 5: the citizenship ceremony
If you are approved, the Home Office invites you to a ceremony arranged by your local authority. You must attend within 3 months of the invitation and take the invitation with you. At the ceremony you make an oath of allegiance (or an affirmation, if you prefer not to swear by God) and a pledge, and you receive your certificate of British citizenship. You become a citizen at the ceremony.
Changes ahead
A refresh of the Life in the UK Test's content has been reported, citing a Home Office policy statement of October 2025. As of our last check, no new handbook or syllabus had been published, and the 3rd edition is still the one on sale. We will update our questions if a new edition appears.