How much does British citizenship cost?

Asked by: Mr. Camron Labadie  |  Last update: May 6, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (11 votes)

British citizenship costs around £1,735 for adults, which includes the £1,605 application fee and the £130 ceremony fee, plus potential extra costs for English/Life in the UK tests (£50+£150+) and biometric info, while children typically pay £1,214; fees vary slightly by application type and are subject to change.

How long does it take to get British citizenship?

Eligibility and fees. You can apply for citizenship if you've lived in the UK for 5 years and have had one of the following for 12 months: indefinite leave to remain in the UK. 'settled status' (also known as 'indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme')

Is British citizenship worth it?

British citizenship offers strong, stable legal status in the UK, broad travel privileges, and full civic rights, balanced against potential tax/reporting complexities, costs and--depending on origin country--dual nationality issues.

What is the 10 year rule for British citizenship?

Those who have spent a continuous period of 10 years in the UK under different visas may be eligible to apply for ILR under the 'Long residence' route. Time under visas which do not lead to settlement under the standard 5 year route (such as Student/ Tier 4, Graduate etc.) can be counted towards 10 year ILR.

How much is the citizenship fee in 2025?

Citizenship costs differ depending on how you file, with $710 online or $760 by mail as of 2025. Starting October 28, 2025, USCIS will stop accepting checks and money orders for paper filings. Applicants may qualify for a reduced fee of $380 or a full waiver based on household income.

The Actual Price of British Citizenship

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Who qualifies for free citizenship?

Who qualifies for citizenship fee waiver? To qualify for a fee waiver, you must demonstrate one of the following: Your total annual household income is at or below 150% of Federal Poverty Guidelines. You have significant financial hardship, such as medical expenses or unemployment.

Is the citizenship test changing in 2025?

Yes, the U.S. citizenship test changed in 2025, with the new 2025 Naturalization Civics Test applying to applications filed on or after October 20, 2025, while those who filed before this date take the older 2008 test. The new version uses the same 128-question bank as the 2020 test but modifies question administration, stopping after 12 correct or 9 incorrect answers, and includes some reworded questions focusing more on history and government, though the English requirements remain the same. 

Do you lose British citizenship when you become an American?

Can I Hold British and American Dual Citizenship? Yes, it is possible to apply for British citizenship and retain your American citizenship, which will make you a dual citizen. This is a particularly attractive option that enables you to live in both the United Kingdom and the United States without any restrictions.

What is the new law for British citizenship in 2025?

Understanding the New Rules on Good Character for British Citizens. Any person applying for citizenship from 10 February 2025, who previously entered the UK illegally will normally be refused, regardless of the time that has passed since the illegal entry took place.

Is it easy to get citizenship in the UK?

Adults. An adult may be able to apply to naturalise as a British citizen if they have lived in the UK lawfully for five years and have been settled in the UK for at least one year. The spouse or civil partner of a British citizen may be able to apply after three years of residence if they are settled in the UK.

Why is the British passport so powerful?

With visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 191 destinations, the British passport provides access to nearly every major region of the world. For frequent travellers, business professionals, and families with international ties, this makes life significantly easier.

Is the British citizenship test hard?

The Life in the UK test is by no means easy. In fact, many British citizens struggle to answer the questions asked in the test, much to their embarrassment. But with preparation and practice, the Life in the UK test is not hard.

Why is British citizenship so expensive?

The government has said that fees are set in line with the considerations allowed by the 2014 act, which include “the cost of processing the application, the benefits and entitlements provided by a successful application and the wider cost of the Migration and Borders system”.

How much does British citizenship cost in 2025?

You usually pay £1,735 to apply for adult citizenship or £1,214 for children. If you're applying for citizenship as an adult you'll also have to pay: £50 to do the Life in the UK Test. around £150 if you have to do an English test.

Can I go live in the UK as a US citizen?

Yes, Americans can move to the UK, but they need the appropriate visa for their reason for moving, such as work (Skilled Worker Visa), study, or family (Spouse/Partner Visa), as short visits (up to 6 months) don't allow for long-term living or working. Key pathways include finding a sponsored job, joining a British partner, pursuing higher education, or using specific visas like the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa if you're a recent graduate from a top university. 

How many attempts to pass the citizenship test?

An alien has two opportunities to pass the English and civics tests: the initial examination and the re-examination interview. USCIS denies the naturalization application if the alien fails to pass any portion of the tests after two attempts.

What are the 5 requirements to become an UK citizen?

To become a UK citizen through naturalization, you generally need to be over 18, have lived in the UK for at least 5 years (with specific absence limits), hold Indefinite Leave to Remain, pass the "Life in the UK" test, meet English language requirements, and prove you are of "good character". These core requirements focus on lawful residence, knowledge, language, and personal conduct, with specific rules for those married to British citizens. 

How much does citizenship cost in 2025?

How much does an American citizenship cost including biometric fees? As of 2025, the total U.S. citizenship application fees are $760, which includes $640 for the N-400 form and $120 for biometric services.

Who cannot apply for a British passport?

You must have British nationality to apply for or hold a British passport. Having British nationality does not guarantee you a passport. For example, you may not get a new passport (or your existing passport may be taken from you) if: you're suspected of a serious crime and an arrest warrant has been issued.

What is the 7 year rule for British citizenship?

The "7-year rule" for British citizenship generally refers to a specific path for children born in the UK, allowing them to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after living continuously in the UK for seven years since birth, forming a basis for eventual settlement and citizenship. This rule provides a route to ILR based on private life, different from the standard 5-year ILR route for most adults, but it's about getting settled status first, not citizenship directly. 

Can you have both a US and UK passport?

Both the UK and US allow dual citizenship so Americans who would like to apply for British citizenship are able to maintain both citizenships. There is no specific application process to apply for American British dual nationality – all you need to do is to apply to become a UK citizen.

Did Trump change the citizenship test?

Yes, the Trump administration introduced significant changes to the U.S. citizenship test in late 2020, making it more difficult by increasing the number of questions, requiring more correct answers (12 out of 20), and adding tougher, more specific civics questions about U.S. history and government, though these changes faced criticism and were later modified, with the current system reinstating a version based on these modifications for new applicants. 

What is the 23 question on the citizenship test?

Question 23 on the U.S. Citizenship Test (Civics portion) asks, "Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators now?". The answer changes depending on where you live, so you need to check your state's senators via senate.gov. For the N-400 Application (Form N-400, Question 23), it asks if you've ever been arrested, cited, or detained, requiring honesty about any legal encounters.
 

Who has the hardest citizenship test?

List of Top 15 Hardest Countries To Get Citizenship in 2026

  • Qatar.
  • Vatican City.
  • Liechtenstein.
  • Bhutan.
  • Saudi Arabia.
  • Kuwait.
  • Switzerland.
  • China.