Although there are many forms of British Nationality, British Citizenship is the only one that allows you to live and work in the UK without a visa. Other forms of British nationality are: British overseas citizenship; British overseas territories citizenship; British national (overseas); British protected person; and British subject. If you are eligible for a British nationality other than citizenship, you may become a naturalised British citizen.

To become a naturalised citizen of the UK, you must meet the set of standard eligibility requirements and residential requirements.

Nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland automatically receive UK permanent resident status if you live in the UK for a continuous 5-year period through the EEA free-movement rights. After this five year period you will receive a leave to remain and then may apply for citizenship as long as you meet the below requirements.

If you are married to or are the civil partner of a British citizen, see the section below for a different set of requirements.

• Be over 18 years of age;
• If have been a resident of the United Kingdom for at least 5 years and have held Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for 12 months or more
• You have been married to or in a civil partnership with (and living with) the same UK citizen for at least 3 years, and also hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
• Intend to continue living in the UK, or to continue in Crown service, the service of an international organisation of which the UK is a member, or the service of a company or association established in the UK;
• Have sufficient proficiency in the English, Welsh, or Scottish Gaelic language;
• Have sufficient knowledge of life in the UK
• Be of good character; and
• Meet the residential requirements; 
• No criminal record  
• 3 year continuous residence before the date of applying;
• Not spent more than 270 days outside of the UK during the 3 year residency requirement;
• Not spent more than 90 days outside of the UK in the year before applying; and
• Have been living within the laws of the UK Immigration Rules during the entirety of this 3 year period.

Relatives of European Economic Area or Swiss nationals are eligible for a UK family permit. The EEA family permit acts as a visa giving you permission to enter and remain in the UK. If you are not an EEA national but are related to one, this permit is for you.

If you are a visa national* or coming to live with your EEA or Swiss national relative in the UK permanently or long-term, then you will need to apply for a family permit. Your EEA national relative must be present in the UK or accompanying you to the UK for you to be eligible. To apply for a family permit, use application form VAF5.

Eligible Relatives

• Husband, wife, or civil partner
• Children or grandchildren under the age of 21 or dependent
• Parents or grandparents of the applicant or the EEA/Swiss national, if they are dependent

To become a British citizen or to settle in the UK (indefinite leave to remain), you will need to demonstrate knowledge of life in the UK and proficiency in the English language. While some settlement applicants are exempt from the Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK Test (KOLL), all citizenship applicants are required to pass the test to become naturalised UK citizens.

           (1)  Life in the UK Test

The Life in the UK test is designed to ensure you will adapt comfortably and happily to life in the UK. It tests your knowledge of UK customs, government, law and values. The UK is a country of diverse cultures, customs and points of view and its people deeply value equal rights for all members of the UK community.

The test is to be taken on a computer in a designated testing facility. You will be asked 24 questions and be given 45 minutes to complete the test. There is no limit to the number of times the test can be taken, so don’t worry if you don’t pass the first or even the second time.

The Life in the UK test will cover the following topics:

• The values and principles of the UK
• Traditions and cultures from around the UK
• Events and people that have shaped the UK’s history
• UK government and law
• How to get involved in the UK community

           (2)  English Laguage test B1 (intermediate level)

To pass the KOLL test, you must speak English*, understand spoken English and be able to read English. You can meet this requirement in one of four ways:

• You can prove that your knowledge of English is equivalent to B1 (intermediate level) on the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR).
• You are a national of a majority English speaking country.
• You have obtained a degree taught in English.
• You can obtain a speaking and listening qualification in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at Entry levels 1,2 or 3. You must study at an accredited institution on a course of study which uses citizenship-based teaching materials.

*If you are taking the test in Scotland, you may request to take it in Scottish Gaelic. If you are taking the test in Wales, you may request to take it in Welsh.

A present from GSK Consultancy;

Life in UK is a Multiple Choice Questions test which lasts for 45mins, for FREE preparation online click the link below:

GSK Consultancy Offers Free Life in the UK Practice Questions 

Inorder to be successful the first time, we recommend to take all the tests provided in the link above. Feedback from our clients show that 94% of the questions in the official test are listed on this website.

*The link provided by GSK consultancy does not take any responsibility for 100% successful application or similar questions hence is only a guide.