Last reviewed: May 2026
Key facts:- Naturalisation as a British citizen costs around 1,580 pounds in standard application fees, plus the Life in the UK test and English language test fees and a citizenship ceremony fee.
- Children can be registered as British citizens for around 1,214 pounds, with a separate fee for the ceremony if the child is 18 or over by ceremony date.
- Fees are set by the Home Office and can be updated by statutory instrument; the figures cited here reflect 2024 levels and may change with annual fee orders.
UK Visa and Immigration Hub › British Citizenship Cost
Becoming a British citizen involves several distinct fees on top of the main application charge. The naturalisation fee is around 1,580 pounds; the Life in the UK test, English language test and citizenship ceremony each carry their own charges. This upgraded guide explains the main costs in 2026, the process from start to finish, and the routes for children, refugees and stateless people that may have different fee structures.
Naturalisation Fees
The main naturalisation application fee is around 1,580 pounds. This is paid when the applicant submits form AN (Application for Naturalisation as a British Citizen). The fee covers the Home Office processing of the application and the issuance of the certificate of naturalisation if successful.
The fee is set by the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations and is reviewed each year. The Home Office typically announces fee changes alongside the spring or autumn budget. Significant fee increases happened in 2024, raising the naturalisation fee from earlier levels.
Where the application is refused, the fee is partially refunded. The non-refundable element covers the biometric enrolment and a portion of the processing cost. The exact refund varies depending on the stage at which the application is refused.
Life in the UK Test and English Language Test
The Life in the UK test must be passed as part of the naturalisation requirements. The test is booked through gov.uk and costs 50 pounds. The test consists of 24 multiple-choice questions about British history, culture and government. A score of 75 per cent (18 out of 24) is needed to pass.
Applicants must also meet the English language requirement. This is met through one of: holding a degree taught in English, being a national of an English-speaking country, or passing a Home Office approved English language test at B1 CEFR level or above. Approved tests typically cost between 150 and 250 pounds.
Applicants over 65 are exempt from both the Life in the UK test and the English language requirement. Applicants with long-term illness or disability that prevents them from sitting the tests can apply for an exemption with medical evidence.
Citizenship Ceremony and Biometric Fees
Successful naturalisation applicants must attend a citizenship ceremony and take the oath of allegiance to the UK. The ceremony is held at a local council, usually within three months of the application being approved. The ceremony fee is 80 pounds.
Biometric enrolment is part of the application process. The applicant has fingerprints and a photograph taken at a UK Visas and Immigration biometric enrolment service point. The biometric fee is around 19.20 pounds, paid separately from the main application fee.
Additional optional services include priority processing (around 800 pounds extra for a decision within 5 working days for some applications) and super priority processing (around 1,000 pounds for a decision within 1 working day). These options are not available for all naturalisation routes.
Children Registration
Children of British citizens or settled persons who do not automatically become British at birth can be registered as British citizens. The fee for registration as a minor is around 1,214 pounds. The fee was the subject of a successful legal challenge in 2021 leading to a partial reduction; current levels reflect that reform.
Where the child is 18 or over by the date of the ceremony, an additional 80 pound ceremony fee applies. Children under 18 do not attend a citizenship ceremony; the certificate is issued without a ceremony.
Specific routes exist for children of stateless parents, children of refugees, and children born in the UK who do not automatically become British because their parents were not settled at the time of birth. Each route has its own form and fee structure.
Refugees, Stateless People and Other Routes
Refugees and stateless people may be eligible for naturalisation through specific routes. The fees may be reduced or waived in some circumstances, particularly where the applicant has been recognised as a refugee under the 1951 Refugee Convention.
Stateless people can apply for stateless status and, after a qualifying period, can apply for naturalisation. The fees follow the standard naturalisation framework although there are some specific exceptions.
Fee waivers are available in limited circumstances for applicants who cannot afford the fees and where requiring the fee would lead to destitution or breach the applicant Article 8 rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. The fee waiver application is separate from the naturalisation application.
Funding the Application
Plan ahead. Total citizenship costs for a single adult can exceed 1,900 pounds when all fees and tests are included. Planning ahead and saving toward the application is necessary for many applicants.
Phased payments. Each fee is paid at a different stage. The Life in the UK test fee is paid at booking. The English test fee is paid at the test provider. The application fee and biometric fee are paid when the application is submitted. The ceremony fee is paid before the ceremony.
Combined family applications. Where multiple family members apply together, each pays the standard fees. There is no family discount. Children registration is separate at around 1,214 pounds plus 80 pounds ceremony fee for over-18s.
Fee waivers in exceptional cases. The Home Office can waive fees in cases where requiring the fee would cause destitution or breach Article 8 rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. The fee waiver application is separate and must be made before the citizenship application.
Where to Get Free Independent Help
The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) regulates immigration advisers in the UK. The OISC adviser register at gov.uk lists qualified advisers who can provide regulated immigration advice on citizenship fees in uk. Advice from a non-regulated person is a criminal offence under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) is a charity that provides free advice and casework support on immigration and nationality issues. JCWI is OISC-regulated and can take on representation in some cases. The JCWI website at jcwi.org.uk lists current services.
Citizens Advice provides free initial advice on citizenship fees in uk and can refer onwards to OISC-regulated immigration advisers for casework. Some local Citizens Advice offices have OISC accreditation for level 1 or 2 immigration advice.
Refugee Council, Refugee Action and similar charities provide specialist advice for refugees and asylum seekers. The British Red Cross also operates an immigration and refugee service. For asylum-related queries, the Migrant Help national service is the first point of contact.
For employment-related immigration issues (Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, right to work checks, etc.), the Home Office sponsor compliance team is the relevant body. The gov.uk sponsor licence pages set out the rules and obligations for licensed sponsors.
The Immigration Tribunal handles appeals against Home Office decisions on visas, settlement and citizenship. The tribunal is independent of the Home Office and decides cases on the evidence. The First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) is the entry point; appeals go to the Upper Tribunal and ultimately to the Court of Appeal.
Putting It All Together
The rules above set out the legal framework, the practical steps and the support routes available. Where the situation is straightforward, the gov.uk pages and the official tools should be enough to act on. Where the situation is more complex, the free advice services listed in the previous section can usually clarify the position and identify the right next step. Many issues that look intractable at first turn out to be resolvable once the right service is engaged.
Keeping written records of communications and decisions throughout is good practice. Where a decision needs to be challenged later - through an internal complaint, an ombudsman, a tribunal or a court - the quality of the contemporaneous record often decides the outcome. Dates, names, reference numbers and copies of correspondence are the building blocks of any later dispute. The gov.uk advice pages and the relevant ombudsman or tribunal websites all set out the evidence they consider when reviewing decisions, and gathering that evidence from the start is one of the most effective protections available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does British citizenship cost?
Around 1,580 pounds for the naturalisation application, plus 50 pounds for the Life in the UK test, 150 to 250 pounds for the English language test, 19.20 pounds biometric fee, and 80 pounds ceremony fee.
Can children become British citizens?
Yes. Registration as a minor costs around 1,214 pounds. Children under 18 do not attend a ceremony. Children 18 or over pay an additional 80 pound ceremony fee.
Is the citizenship test difficult?
The Life in the UK test has 24 multiple-choice questions; 18 correct answers (75 per cent) pass. Most applicants prepare using the official handbook. Practice tests are widely available.
What is the English language requirement?
A test at B1 CEFR level or above from an approved test provider, a degree taught in English, or nationality of an English-speaking country. Approved tests typically cost 150 to 250 pounds.
Is there a fee waiver?
Fee waivers are available in limited circumstances where requiring the fee would lead to destitution or breach human rights. Applications are separate from the main naturalisation application.
How long does naturalisation take?
Most standard applications are decided within 6 months. Priority processing options are available for some routes at an additional fee.
Is the fee refunded if I fail?
Most of the fee is non-refundable. The portion covering biometric enrolment and initial processing is retained even if the application is refused. The exact refund varies by stage of refusal.
Can I pay in instalments?
Not for the main application fee. The fee must be paid in full when the application is submitted. Some applicants take a personal loan to cover the cost; specialist advice on this approach is recommended.
Are British citizens of Commonwealth countries treated differently?
British Overseas Citizens and certain other Commonwealth status holders may have different routes to full British citizenship. The British Nationality Act 1981 sets out the various categories and the routes to upgrade from each to full citizenship.
How long does the citizenship application take?
Most standard naturalisation applications are decided within 6 months. Priority processing options are available at additional fees for some categories.
How We Verified This
Information is taken from the British Nationality Act 1981 on legislation.gov.uk, the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations, the gov.uk British citizenship pages, the Home Office naturalisation guidance, and the recent Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judgments on children registration fees.
