Applying for British citizenship offers various pathways based on individual circumstances. To begin, applicants must have permission to stay in the UK until their citizenship is granted. Key eligibility routes include:

Born in the UK: Individuals born in the UK may not automatically qualify for citizenship, depending on their birth date and parents' status.

Marriage to a British Citizen: Those married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen must have lived in the UK for at least three years and hold indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): Applicants typically apply for ILR after living in the UK for five years. To apply for citizenship, one must have lived in the UK for an additional year after receiving ILR.

Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme: Similar to ILR, applicants must have lived in the UK for 12 months after obtaining settled status to qualify for citizenship.

Other Eligibility Criteria: Individuals may also qualify if they have a British parent, possess another type of British nationality, are stateless, or have special circumstances (e.g., Chagossian descendants).

Commonwealth Citizens: Eligible individuals may apply under the Windrush Scheme if they or their parent arrived in the UK before 1973 and have lived in the UK without being away for more than two years.