How to Get the UK Citizenship for Indian Citizens: Process Explained

A wave of globalisation has developed a common aim of relocation for better standards of life. As a result, Indian citizens relocating to the UK for studying or work purposes also try to secure permanent citizenship here. However, its process is a long and complicated one.

Do you wonder about how to apply for citizenship in the UK for Indians? Then, keep reading this article to find out all about it.

There are various ways to become a UK citizen. Children are considered UK citizens by birth if at least one of their parents is a British resident, by birth or by naturalisation. Furthermore, you can apply for citizenship if you are married to a British spouse. Apart from that, people with indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and “settled status” under the EU Settlement Scheme can also apply for this citizenship. You should check out the following eligibility criteria if you plan to apply for citizenship in the UK for Indians. 

• Applicants should be more than 18 years of age.
• They must have stayed in the UK for about five years without an absence of longer than 450 days. If married to a British spouse, they need to have a permanent residence for three years. 
• Maintaining conduct free of criminal records is mandatory for them. 
• They must meet the stipulated English language requirements.
• Finally, they must pass the “Life in the UK” test.

Now, you must be curious to know how to get citizenship in the UK for Indians. The following steps will guide you with it. 

Step 1: Take the ‘Life in the UK’ Test from the official government website. You will need to provide its certificate during your application process. 

Step 2: Get two referees from your end and take an English test at B1, B2, C1 or C2 level. This information will be mandatory for this application. 

Step 3: Start filling out the online form from the government portal. Read its instructions carefully and answer all the questions with accurate data. 

Step 4: Upload scanned copies of your documents as required after completing this application. Please submit this form after completing it. 

Step 5: Create an appointment with a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point. Verify your biometric data (your fingerprints and a photo) here. 

Step 6: Wait for the government to inform you of their decision regarding your application's approval. Please apply for a passport from the UK once it is approved. 

f you are curious to know how to get citizenship in the UK for Indians, you must have a clearer understanding of all the documents required. These are listed below. 

Any legal ID proof, such as passport, driving licence, birth certificate, Home Office travel document or credit card statement 

• Your biometric residence permit (optional)
• Result of your ‘Life in the UK’ Test
• Proof of at least one level of B1 in the English language
• Documents to show you as a law-abiding citizen 
• Evidence to prove your residence in the UK
• Proof of your Indefinite Leave to Remain status

The government charges application fees for citizenship in the UK for Indians. A basic British citizenship fee is about £1,330. Furthermore, applicants must also pay approximately £180 for document translations and £150 for the language translations. Additionally, for taking the ‘Life in the UK’ Test, a charge of £50 will be levied from its applicants.

There are no specific means of applying for citizenship in the UK for an entire family. Getting citizenship by naturalisation can be easier and faster if you have a relative in the UK. The relative can be your parent, sister, brother, son, daughter or grandchild. there are no specific rules regarding application for citizenship for the entire family. if you are planning for this, each member of the family might have to apply separately. 

On the other hand, parents need to prove registered birth in the UK to get citizenship of the child.

If parents have the right to live in the UK permanently while conceiving, the child will be considered a UK citizen by birth. Kids born in the UK before 1st January 1983 were to be considered UK citizens by birth. However, those born after this date will have to prove their citizenship. They can be citizens if at least one of their parents is British. Otherwise, they will have to apply for citizenship after turning 18.

Now that you know how to get citizenship in the UK for Indian students and other individuals, you must know the possible mistakes that can reject your application. The following reasons are commonly responsible for rejecting citizenship applications.

1. Character and conduct

 The immigration experts are likely to examine the applicant's background to verify whether he/she maintained a good character during their stay in the UK. Commonly, cases of criminal records are seen. Thus, candidates should conduct well and comply with UK law to avoid criminal records.

2. Insufficient knowledge

The failure to answer questions regarding the UK, its culture, and all the other details would result in the ‘Life in the UK’ Test failure. This can ultimately reject your citizenship application. It is therefore essential to know about the country before becoming a citizen.

3. Fraud and delay in responses

Any kind of forgery in the application or the submitted documents would reject your application. On the other hand, if you are late to respond to the enquiries from the head office, you will exert a negative impact on your application status.

Thus, as this article observed, getting citizenship in the UK for Indians is not simple. However, the Indian citizens can still try to get it if they meet the eligibility criteria. They must be proper residents and avoid criminal activities if they wish to get citizenship. Additionally, they will have to pass multiple tests in the process.