British Naturalisation is the last mandatory step on your path to becoming a British citizen and eventually attaining a British passport.
After your application for naturalisation you will be invited to a ceremony, where you will be officially sworn in as a British citizen. You are then entitled to apply for a British passport.
REQUIREMENTS:
For the majority of applicants (excluding EEA nationals or those applying as a spouse of a British national), the requirements for British Naturalisation are:
1) You must hold Indefinite Leave to Remain for the last 12 months. Not exceeding 90 days of absences from the UK during the last 12 months
2) You must show 5 years of lawful residence in the UK. In these 5 years you cannot have an excess of 450 days absences from the UK
3) You must pass ‘The Life In the UK’ Test
4) You must have passed the English language requirement
5) You must show you are a person of good character
Naturalisation for Spouse of British Citizen:
The Naturalisation requirements are slightly different if you apply as a spouse of a British national and different supporting evidence will need to be included in your application. This includes meeting the residential requirements where you must show three years of lawful residence in the UK. In these three years you cannot have an excess of 270 days absences from the UK.
EEA NATIONAL APPLYING FOR NATURALISATION:
The process of applying for Naturalisation is slightly different if you are an EEA National or their Non-EEA partner. The requirements for this application type include showing you have six years residence in the UK. You must also show five years exercising treaty rights (or Permanent Residence).
In these five years you cannot have an excess of 450 days absences from the UK, including no absences of 180 days