British Nationality by Naturalisation
If you have been physically resident in the UK for a year as a permanent resident, you may apply to become a naturalised British citizen. Unfortunately, naturalisation applications are likely to take one to one and half years to be processed. If you seek naturalisation other than by marriage to an UK Citizen, then you must meet the requirements outlined below:
General Requirements

• You must be aged 18 or over and not of unsound mind;
• You must be of good character;
• You should have a sufficient knowledge of the English language (or Welsh or Scottish Gaelic). There are exemptions to this requirement, for example if one is old or mentally handicapped;
• You should intend to live in the UK or in Crown Service abroad (working directly for an UK Government organisation), or be employed by an international organisation of which the UK is a member, or be employed by a company or association established in the United Kingdom;
• You should have fulfilled the five-year requirement as detailed below.

The Five Year Residence Requirement
The five-year period is the period ending with the date the application is received by the Home Office.

The requirements are as follows:
The candidate must have been in the United Kingdom at the beginning of the five year period; and

• In the five year period the candidate must not have been outside the United Kingdom for more than 450 days; and
• In the last 12 months of the five year period the candidate must not have been outside the UK for more than 90 days; and
• In the last 12 months of the five year period the candidate's stay in the United Kingdom must have been not subject to any time limit under the immigration laws; and
• The candidate must not have been in the United Kingdom in breach of the immigration laws at any time in the five-year period.
  British Nationality by Marriage
  British Nationality may be acquired by marriage after a period of three years residency in the UK. The three-year period is the period ending with the date the application is received by the Home Office.

The requirements are as follows:

• The candidate must have been in the United Kingdom at the beginning of the three year period; and
• On the date that the candidate's application is received in the Home Office, her/his stay in the United Kingdom must be not subject to any time limit under the immigration laws; and
• In the three year period the candidate must not have been outside the United Kingdom for more than 270 days; and
• The candidate must not have been in the United Kingdom in breach of the immigration laws at any time in the three-year period.
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