How long does a resident have to live in the UK to qualify for citizenship?

Answer 1

This is a situation where the long residence rules would apply. The rules apply in two circumstances:

- where someone has been in the UK lawfully for 10 years or more

- where someone has been in the UK unlawfully for 14 years or more (14 years unlawful residence)

Someone who has lived in the UK for a period of 14 years may apply for indefinite leave to remain even though his or her presence in the UK during this time has been unlawful. Unless one of the following applies, indefinite leave to remain will normally be granted:

- the 14 years period has been broken (see below)

- there are public interest reasons to refuse the application (see below)

- the individual fails to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the English language and of life in the uk

If either of these periods is broken, the you may be refused indefinite leave to remain under the long residence rules. These periods will be broken if any of the following apply:

- you were outside of the UK (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) for any length of time during the period unless you had leave to enter or remain at the point of departure and return

- you were outside of the UK for any length of time during the period and when departing you then demonstrated a clear intention not to return or could have had no reasonable expectation of being able to return lawfully

- you were outside of the UK for a total of 18 months or more during the period

- you spent any time in prison

The 14 years period will also be broken if any of the following was served on you.

- a notice that the individual is liable to be removed

- a decision that the individual should be removed

- a notice that it is intended to deport the individual

However, illegal entry to the UK or overstaying would not of itself ordinarily lead to a refusal where someone is applying on the basis of 14 years unlawful residence in the UK.

After 14 years you may be able to apply for settlement using form SET(O) which you will find on the UK Border Agency website (see related link). When you go to this website on the left hand side of the page click on settlement, when that page comes up, in the body of the page you will see how to apply for settlement, click on this and then scroll down to midway the bottom of the page. Here you will see information about long residence and the form you should use to apply in this category.

Answer 2

According to the UK Government website, you will need to have been resident in the UK for a period of at least five years immediately before your application. However, that in itself doesn't necessarily mean that British citizenship will automatically be granted - just that you can apply.

Answer 3

There is no naturalization period in the UK.