APPLYING FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP (NATURALISATION)

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Rachel Whickman

Immigration Advisor

"British citizenship is the final step for applicants to take to be able to live and work in the UK free from immigration controls. Given that the Home Office application fee is high and is non-refundable in the event of a refusal, legal advice should be sought before making an application. This is even more crucial where an applicant has current/previous criminal convictions, immigration breaches and has been declared bankrupt.

One source of concern for Applicants is when they have spent more than the permitted number of days abroad in the period leading up to their application. There are circumstances where the Home Office will still approve applications despite long periods of travel, such as if the travel is unavoidable for work reasons or related to COVID.

OTB Legal can help you and your family apply for British Citizenship. You can use our free investigation stage today to see if you are eligible"

Our legal experts for applying for British Citizenship (naturalisation)

How we work - including our transparent pricing

We find that our 3 stage system of working with clients gives everyone the greatest clarity on what can be achieved, how it will happen and how much it will cost.

Assess

Price - £0

Before we take on a case we always want to establish what the right kind of application is for you and this is what the Assessment Stage is all about.

We find out more about you and what you want to achieve. It is an informal discussion which can be delivered how you want it, whether that is over the phone, using video conferencing or at our easily accessible office - it is entirely your choice.

This stage is completely free and there is no obligation to take on our paid services. At the end of the Assessment Stage you will have a clear plan as to the range of applications available, the costs involved and how likely you are to get a successful outcome.

Take advantage of this free legal advice from the UK's leading immigration lawyers:

TAKE THE FIRST STEP

Advise

Price - £300 (inc 20% VAT where applicable)

Once we have been given the green light by you we can formally take instructions on which application type you wish to pursue.

For a fixed fee of £300.00 (which includes 20% VAT where applicable) you will benefit from:

Having an experienced and specialist Immigration Lawyer advising you.
Discussing and agreeing which application type is best for your personal circumstances.
Obtaining clear written advice in plain language on the legal requirements of your chosen application.
Receiving a detailed and tailored list of the documents to be submitted in support of your application.

In this stage you will gain a clear strategy on how to move things forward. Our lawyers will work with you to maximise your prospects of success.

Once the Advice Stage is completed you have the choice of either completing the application yourself or instructing us to assist you in submitting your application. You remain fully in control of how far you progress your matter with us. In any event you will be armed with expert legal advice and how to apply.

Apply

Price - £840 - £1200 depnding on complexity (inc 20% VAT where applicable)

The Application Stage is all about guiding you successfully through the application process with minimal fuss.

During this stage the service includes:

The crucial review of all documents and evidence you have gathered in support of your application. Our lawyers will let you know if any documents are missing. If you have not been able to obtain certain key evidence, we will advise you on other ways of proving that you meet the requirements of the immigration rules.
Advice on, and assistance with, completion of the complex online application form.
Preparing the tailored bundle of evidence that will support your application.
Writing a detailed cover letter in support of the application explicitly stating any relevant case law and official guidance which should be considered by the Home Office if appropriate.
Representation all the way to the decision on your immigration application and advice on any further steps that are needed.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP

Want more information about this type of application?

From start to end the team was very helpful, and gave me clear instruction on what I had to do and what to expect with the process. They were very swift in replying to my correspondence and very pleased with their service. I'm grateful that they convinced me to appeal as they knew that I met the exceptions for my complicated situation and my case got approved in the end. I can't really think of any negative feedback.

Client

Ready to talk to us?

If you want to take the first step towards getting an outstanding legal service then use the booking form below to schedule an appointment via our online booking system.

Your first chat with us will always be free, confidential and give you a clear idea of the application types which suit you best. There is no obligation to purchase any services from us but we will give you an idea as to costs and your chances of getting a successful case outcome if you decide you want to make an application. Our leading legal team are waiting to hear from you now or whenever you feel you are ready.

FAQ's

When can I apply to naturalise as a British citizen?

The timing of when you can apply to naturalise as a British citizen will vary depending on whether you are married to a British citizen or not. In all cases, you will need to hold indefinite leave to remain before you make the application.

If you are married to a British citizen, you can apply:

If you hold indefinite leave to remain; and
You have lived in the UK for 3 years.

If you are not married to a British citizen, you can apply:

If you have held indefinite leave to remain for at least 12 months; and
You have lived in the UK for 5 years.

Can I apply for British citizenship if I have had immigration breaches in the past 10 years?

The Home Office have amended their good character guidance so it is now possible to apply for British citizenship where you have had immigration breaches in the past 10 years, as long as you now have indefinite leave to remain. Immigration breaches include periods of overstaying or having entered the UK illegally.

This was previously a common ground for refusal, so it means that a number of people who could not previously apply for citizenship will now be able to do so.

Can I apply for British citizenship if I have been absent from the UK more than the number of days allowed?

The Home Office can be flexible and still approve applications where a person has been abroad more than the normal number of days allowed (see our downloadable guide for further details of how many days absence are allowed). Reasons that it may still be possible to apply include where a person has had to travel for unavoidable reasons such as work, has been stuck abroad due to COVID, or where the person has a long history of strong connections with the UK.

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