Who can apply for British citizenship by marriage?

Eligibility for British Citizenship by Marriage

Individuals married to British citizens can apply for British citizenship if they meet the following criteria:

• Age: Over 18 years old
• Immigration Status: Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK
• Residency: Lived in the UK for at least 3 years
• Character: Person of good character.

Apply for British citizen after 3 years of marriage

You can apply for British citizenship through marriage after three years of living in the UK as a spouse of a British citizen, if you meet all the eligibility requirements.

Eligibility requirements for UK citizenship through marriage

Requirements for British Citizenship by Marriage

To apply for British citizenship through marriage, you must meet the following criteria:

• Age: Be at least 18 years old.
• Residency: Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status.
• Marriage: Be married to a British citizen.
• Language: Demonstrate English language proficiency through an approved test, academic qualification, or being from a majority English-speaking country.
• Knowledge: Pass the Life in the UK test.
• Character: Be of good character, with no serious or recent criminal record and no conduct that raises public concern.

Residence requirement for british citizenship through marriage

Residency Requirements for British Citizenship by Marriage

To qualify for British citizenship as a spouse of a British citizen, you must have lived in the UK for three years before submitting your application.

Additionally, you must meet the following residency conditions:

• Absence: You cannot have spent more than 270 days outside the UK during the three-year qualifying period.
• Recent Absence: You cannot have spent more than 90 days abroad in the 12 months before submitting your application.
• Immigration Compliance: You must have complied with all UK immigration laws during your residency.