Residency requirements for British citizenship: 2026 guide

Residency rules at a glance: what actually matters

For naturalisation, Home Office caseworkers assess four residence pillars. Get these right and you’ll avoid most refusals:

• Qualifying period: 5 years (standard) or 3 years (spouse of a British citizen).
• Absence limits: ≤450 days in 5 years (≤270 if on spouse route) and ≤90 days in the last 12 months.
• Status: Hold ILR or Settled Status (EEA/Swiss) when you apply. Standard route usually requires holding this for 12 months.
• Physical presence: Be in the UK exactly 5 or 3 years before the Home Office receives your application.

These UK naturalisation residence rules are set out in the British Nationality Act 1981 and the Home Office’s Guide AN (latest revision at time of writing).

The core checklist: time in UK, absences, status, presence on key date

• Time in the UK: Standard route needs 5 years’ lawful residence; spouse route needs 3 years.
• Absences: Up to 450 days over 5 years (or 270 days over 3 years) and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months.
• Status at application: ILR/EUSS Settled. Standard route: usually 12 months holding ILR/Settled before applying. Spouse route: no 12‑month wait once you have ILR/Settled.
• Physical presence rule: You must have been physically in the UK exactly 5 (or 3) years before the application arrival date.

Quick self-check: can you apply today?

1. Pick your route: standard 5-year or 3-year spouse path.
2. Confirm you held ILR/Settled on the date you plan to submit (and for 12 months if on the 5-year route).
3. Count absences across your qualifying period and the last 12 months.
4. Check you were in the UK on the exact qualifying date (3 or 5 years before the planned submission).
5. Ensure lawful residence throughout and no serious immigration breaches.
6. Have your Life in the UK Test pass and English language evidence ready.

If any answer is “no” or “not sure”, keep reading—there are fixes, timing strategies, and (sometimes) discretion.

Which route are you on? 5-year vs 3-year spouse path

The qualifying residence period depends on whether you’re applying under the standard route (section 6(1)) or as a spouse/civil partner of a British citizen (section 6(2)).

Standard route: 5 years’ lawful residence + 12 months holding ILR/settled

Most applicants apply under section 6(1):

• 5 years’ lawful residence ending with your application date.
• Absences: ≤450 days in the 5-year period and ≤90 days in the final 12 months.
• Settlement held for 12 months before applying (ILR or EUSS Settled).
• Intent to continue living in the UK after naturalisation.

Need a refresher on settlement first? See our guide: Indefinite Leave to Remain: Your Step-by-Step Roadmap.

Spouse route: 3 years’ lawful residence (no 12-month ILR wait)

If married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, section 6(2) applies:

• 3 years’ lawful residence to the application date.
• Absences: ≤270 days over 3 years and ≤90 in the last 12 months.
• No 12‑month wait after ILR/Settled—you can apply as soon as you’re settled.

EEA/Swiss nationals with Settled Status

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens with Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme meet the settlement requirement. Your pre-settlement years can count as lawful residence provided your immigration position was lawful throughout. Old EEA permanent residence documents are also recognised if still valid under current guidance.

For a full overview beyond residence, see How to Get British Citizenship: The Complete Guide and our Difference Between ILR and Citizenship explainer.

Absence limits explained: days out of the UK

The numbers you must hit (and how they’re checked)

Thresholds that Home Office caseworkers apply:

• Standard route: ≤450 days outside the UK in the last 5 years.
• Spouse route: ≤270 days outside the UK in the last 3 years.
• All routes: ≤90 days outside the UK in the 12 months before the application.

How they check: your declared travel history, passport stamps, visas, eGate logs, employer letters and HMRC/NHS activity can all be cross‑checked. Be consistent across the form and your documents.

Discretion if you’re slightly over the limits

Caseworkers may exercise discretion for modest excess absences where you show strong UK ties and otherwise meet all requirements. Strong factors include:

• Compelling work travel, offshore rotations, or unavoidable circumstances (e.g., medical, family need).
• Robust evidence of your main home, family, employment and tax in the UK.
• Absences close to the limit (for example, a small excess over 90 days in the last 12 months).

Always explain excesses in a covering letter and provide supporting documents.

How to count days correctly (arrival/departure rules)

• Count full days outside the UK as absences.
• Do not count the day you leave the UK or the day you return as an absence.
• Keep a simple log: date out, date back, destination, reason.
• Reconcile your log with passport stamps, airline confirmations and calendar entries.

The physical presence rule on the exact date

Definition: You must have been physically present in the UK on the exact date 5 years (standard) or 3 years (spouse) before the Home Office receives your application. If you were abroad on that date, your application can be refused—even if you meet all other rules.

If you were outside the UK on that exact date

• Wait and apply later: Pick a submission date that matches a day you were in the UK 3/5 years earlier.
• Adjust your plan: If close to eligibility, delay by days or weeks to align with a compliant exact date.
• Check delivery timing: Online submissions are timestamped when received—plan your chosen date carefully.

Lawful residence and immigration compliance

Your qualifying years must be lawful. That means valid permission to be in the UK and compliance with your visa conditions throughout the relevant period.

What counts as a breach (and what doesn’t)

• Breach examples: overstaying without valid leave, unauthorised work, breaching work restrictions, or being here without permission.
• Usually fine: Switching visas lawfully, time on student or work visas, or short gaps covered by section 3C leave.

Proving lawful residence over the whole period

• BRP or digital status share codes, visa approval letters, EUSS status screenshots.
• HMRC employment records, PAYE, Self Assessment, P60/P45, employer confirmation.
• Tenancy or mortgage statements, council tax bills, utility bills, GP/NHS records, bank statements.

When ready to move beyond residence checks, see Eligibility for UK Citizenship for the wider criteria.

ILR, Settled Status and old EEA PR: what you must hold

To naturalise you must be free of immigration time restrictions—usually via Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), EU Settled Status, or previously issued EEA permanent residence where applicable.

ILR vs Settled Status for citizenship purposes

• Both ILR and EUSS Settled satisfy the “no time limit” requirement.
• Your lawful residence during the 3/5-year period can include time on other visas, provided you complied with their conditions.

Do you need to wait 12 months? The exceptions

• Standard route: typically wait 12 months after ILR/Settled before applying.
• Spouse route: no 12‑month wait—you may apply as soon as you have ILR/Settled.

Evidence that proves your residence (and speeds approval)

Build an “audit‑proof” pack. Strong, consistent documents reduce queries and delays.

Travel and border records

• Passport(s) covering the qualifying period, including expired ones.
• Airline itineraries, boarding passes, hotel confirmations—especially for eGate travel with no stamps.
• UKVI Subject Access Request (SAR) for official travel records if needed.

Address and activity trail

• Council tax, utility bills, tenancy/mortgage statements across the whole period.
• Employer letters, payslips, P60s, HMRC printouts showing UK earnings and tax.
• NHS/GP registration and appointment printouts; bank and card statements showing UK spend.

When digital status isn’t enough

Digital status proves permission but not presence. Bridge gaps with secondary evidence (e.g., employer letter, travel confirmations) and a short covering note explaining any anomalies, name changes, or missing stamps.

Special cases and when discretion may apply

Where your absences edge beyond the standard limits, discretion may be possible if you show compelling reasons and strong ties to the UK.

Work travel, offshore rotations, or study overseas

• Provide an employer letter detailing your role, need for travel/rotations, and UK base.
• Supply proof of UK ties: home ownership/tenancy, family in the UK, continuous tax, community links.
• Explain how absences were necessary and proportionate.

COVID-19 and other disruption

• Evidence unavoidable events: flight cancellations, border closures, medical documentation.
• Show attempts to return sooner where possible.

Crown or armed forces service

Special provisions can modify residence expectations for qualifying Crown or armed forces service. Provide service documentation and follow the specific guidance for your category.

Plan your dates: avoiding last‑minute refusals

Here’s a simple playbook to align ILR/Settled timing, absence limits, and the physical presence rule.

1. Lock your route and end date: Choose your intended submission date.
2. Check the exact‑date rule: Confirm you were in the UK 3/5 years before that date.
3. Run your day count: Tally absences for the 3/5-year window and last 12 months.
4. Confirm settlement: Standard route: ensure 12 months since ILR/Settled. Spouse route: settlement in place.
5. Prepare tests & documents: Life in the UK Test pass, English requirement, ID, residence evidence.

Smart sequencing with the Life in the UK test

• Pass the test before your target application date to avoid postponing for a booking slot.
• Use realistic mock exams to avoid retest delays.
• Book early in busy periods (spring/autumn) to keep your timeline intact.

Common pitfalls and how to fix them early

• Missing the exact-date rule: Shift your submission date to a compliant day.
• Absence miscount: Recalculate using the arrival/departure rule; support with travel proofs.
• Not enough time since ILR (standard route): Wait until you hit 12 months.
• Evidence gaps: Fill with HMRC/NHS records, employer letters, or a UKVI SAR.

Life in the UK Test: what it is and how to pass first time

To naturalise you must pass the Life in the UK Test—25 questions on British history, values, traditions and government. The test is straightforward when you prepare with focused practice and realistic mocks.

Why people fail (and lose weeks): underestimating the breadth of topics, not tracking weak areas, and practising with low-quality questions.

Meet Brit-Bear: your smart study assistant

The Life in the UK Test App solves the real problems candidates face:

• Targeted learning with a smart assistant (Brit‑Bear) that adapts to your progress and highlights weak topics.
• Confidence metrics: a readiness score so you know when you’re genuinely test‑ready.
• Depth and realism: 650+ questions with explanations, realistic mock tests and a Hard Mode to stretch you.
• Offline study for commutes and flights—keep your timeline on track.

Users often report passing on the first attempt after 7–14 days of consistent practice. Pair it with this residency guide and you’ll remove both knowledge and timing risks.

Start now: download links

Download on App Store · Get it on Google Play

Next, learn proven study tactics here: How to Prepare for the Life in the UK Test.

DIY day-counting: quick calculator method

Follow these steps to tally absences accurately and document your results.

Step-by-step: build your travel timeline

1. Collect passports covering your entire 3/5-year period.
2. Export emails for flight confirmations; add calendar entries and photos as cross‑checks.
3. Create a spreadsheet with columns: Date Out, Date In, Country, Reason, Days Out.
4. Apply the rule: exclude departure/arrival days from the absence total.
5. Reconcile with stamps and itineraries; note any gaps and how you resolved them.

Validate against the thresholds

1. Sum total days in the whole qualifying period (≤450 or ≤270).
2. Sum days in the last 12 months (≤90).
3. Highlight any excess and prepare evidence/cover letter if close to or over the line.

Residency requirement checklist (print-friendly)

5-minute readiness review

• I’m on the correct route (5-year standard or 3-year spouse).
• My total absences are within ≤450/≤270 and ≤90 in the last 12 months.
• I held ILR/Settled (and if standard route, for at least 12 months).
• I was physically in the UK on the exact 3/5-year qualifying date.
• All residence was lawful; no serious immigration breaches.
• I’ve passed the Life in the UK Test and meet the English requirement.
• My evidence pack is consistent and complete.

What to do if you don’t meet a rule yet

• Wait strategically: Delay to a compliant exact date or to finish the 12‑month ILR period.
• Reduce risk: Limit travel in your last 12 months to protect the 90‑day cap.
• Document discretion: If slightly over limits, prepare a clear explanation with evidence of strong UK ties.
• Get clarity: Consider professional advice for complex histories or high absences.

Residency FAQs for British citizenship (2026)

Does time on student or work visas count?

Yes—any lawful residence can count toward your 3/5-year qualifying period, provided you complied with visa conditions and hold ILR/Settled at application.

Will travelling after ILR reset my 12-month wait?

No. The rule is about how long you’ve held ILR/Settled, not whether you travelled after getting it. You must still keep to the 90‑day cap in the last 12 months.

Can absences before I got ILR still count?

Yes. Absences are assessed across your whole 3/5‑year qualifying period, not just after ILR. You must be within the total cap and the final 12‑month cap.

Is dual citizenship allowed in the UK?

Yes. The UK allows dual nationality. Check your other country’s rules in case it restricts dual citizenship.

Do I need to remain in the UK while my application is decided?

Your application itself does not give you permission to stay. Ensure you have valid immigration permission until you attend your ceremony and make the Oath/Pledge.