Form AN British Naturalisation Form

Form AN is used by most non-UK nationals applying to naturalise in the UK as a British citizen.

It is important that you ensure you satisfy the eligibility requirements for naturalisation before starting the application process, and that you take care when completing the form. Failure to complete Form AN correctly may result in a rejected application and loss of the application fee.

In this guide, we will explain what Form AN is and how you can prepare to complete your application for British citizenship.

 

What is Form AN?

 

Form AN is the official application used by individuals seeking to become British citizens through naturalisation. The form requires detailed personal information, including residency history, employment records, and evidence of meeting the eligibility criteria. Applicants must also demonstrate knowledge of the English language and pass the Life in the UK Test.

Errors or omissions when completing form AN can lead to delays or refusals, making it essential to complete the form carefully. It is also important to ensure that all supporting documents are provided in the correct format. Failing to include necessary evidence can lead to rejection. Application fees are non-refundable, meaning mistakes could be costly. Seeking guidance before submission can help avoid common pitfalls. A well-prepared application increases the likelihood of approval, allowing individuals to take the final step towards becoming a British citizen.

 

Who should use Form AN?

 

If you are not married or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you can apply for British citizenship after 12 months of holding either Indefinite Leave to Remain, EU Settled Status or permanent residence using Form AN if you:

 

• Are 18 years or over on the date of application
• Are of sound mind
• Intend to continue to live in the UK
• Are able to communicate in English to an acceptable degree
• Meet the Good Character requirement
• Have sufficient knowledge of life in the UK
• Have lived in the UK for a minimum of 5 years before application, and
• You satisfy the relevant residency requirements.

 

If you are married or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you can apply for naturalisation using Form AN as soon as you attain ILR if you:

 

• Are 18 years or over on the date of application
• Are married on the date of application
• Are of sound mind
• Are able to communicate in English to an acceptable degree
• Meet the Good Character requirement
• Have lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years before application, and
• You satisfy the relevant residency requirements.

 

Child applicants for British citizenship should use form MN1.

 

Naturalisation requirements

 

To naturalise as a British citizen, you’ll need to meet several key requirements:

 

Residency

 

You must have legally resided in the UK for at least 5 years before the date your application is received by the Home Office. This generally means holding Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or another qualifying long-term visa.

Some exceptions apply if you’re married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, allowing you to apply after 3 years of residence.

During the residential qualifying period you must have been legally in the UK and you must not have breached immigration laws.

You should not have been outside the UK for more than 90 days in the 12 months prior to application. Further restrictions on absences beyond the preceding 12-month period also apply.

 

Character and Good Conduct

 

You must have a good character, with no serious criminal convictions or immigration violations. You should not pose a threat to national security or have been involved in terrorism-related activities.

 

English Language & Life in the UK

 

You must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the English language and British culture, history and politics. This typically involves passing the Life in the UK test or passing a relevant English language qualification.

 

Intention to Remain in the UK

 

You must genuinely intend to make the UK your permanent home and not just use citizenship for travel benefits.

 

Information you will need to provide in Form AN

 

Form AN is made up of the following sections:

 

Personal information

 

• Applicant contact details
• Knowledge of language/life in the UK
• Parents’ details
• Partner’s details
• Details of employment since entering UK

 

 

Residence requirements

 

• Details of all absences from the UK in the last 5 years
• Permanent residence details

 

 

Good character requirement

 

• Details of any criminal convictions/cautions

 

 

Crown service

 

• For those in or with partners in Crown service.

 

Referees

 

• Include details of your two naturalisation referees, who must be eligible to provide a reference.

 

 

Biometric registration/information

 

• You will need to submit your fingerprints and photograph as confirmation of your identity.

 

 

Declaration

 

• Sign your form AN to confirm the information you have provided in the form is correct.

 

 

Form AN supporting documents

 

Along with your form, you will also need to submit digital copies of documents which verify your eligibility under the naturalisation requirements. The specific documents to provide will vary depending on your circumstances and the basis of your application, making professional advice helpful to ensure you do not omit anything critical to your application. As a minimum, applicants should provide:

 

• Evidence of your settled status, eg Indefinite Leave to Remain, EUSS or EEA PR
• Proof that you meet the knowledge of life and language in the UK requirements ie Life in the UK test certificate
• ID e.g. valid passport, valid travel document or birth certificate
• Proof of residence in the UK for the relevant period
• Evidence of previous visas/residency documents
• All travel documents from the five-year period to show continuous residence

 

 

Form AN referees

 

Only certain individuals can act as a referee for your naturalisation application.

Each referee should know the applicant personally for a minimum of three years. They are required to be willing to give full details of their knowledge of the applicant and to advise the Home Office of any reason why the applicant should not be approved.

One referee should be a person of any nationality who has professional standing, eg minister of religion, civil servant, or a member of a professional body e.g. Police officer, Local government officer, Surveyor, accountant. You may use a solicitor as a referee but they cannot be representing you with your application).

The second referee must normally be the holder of a British citizen passport and either a professional person or over the age of 25. Referees should not:

 

• be a relative of the applicant
• be related to the other referee
• be your solicitor or agent for this application
• be an employee of the Home Office
• have been convicted of an imprisonable offence during the past 10 years for which the sentence is not spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

 

If you applying from overseas and do not know a British citizen passport holder who is a professional person or over the age of 25, a Commonwealth citizen or citizen of the country in which you are residing may complete and sign the form, provided:

 

• they are over 25 or have a professional standing in that country and
• they have known you for three years, and
• the Consul considers their signature to be acceptable.

 

 

How long does the British citizenship application process take?

 

On average, we advise our clients to anticipate that their British citizenship application will be processed in approximately 6 months. The complexity of your application will determine how long it will take for your application to be processed as well as the volume of other applications UKVI have to process. Delays can occur due to missing documents, background checks, or a high volume of applications. Some applications are processed faster, but there is no priority service for naturalisation.

 

What does it cost to submit Form AN?

 

UKVI charge a fee of £1,630 per adult citizenship application.

 

Can you travel while your citizenship application is being processed?

 

While naturalisation applicants can technically travel while their Form AN application is being processed, there are important considerations to keep in mind:

 

• Residency Requirements: Ensure that travel does not affect your eligibility, particularly if you are close to the maximum allowed absences from the UK.
• Biometric Appointment: You must attend a biometric appointment in the UK after submitting your application, so plan any travel around this requirement.
• Home Office Communications: If additional information is requested, delays in responding due to travel could slow down processing.
• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Settled Status: You must not lose your ILR or Settled Status by spending too much time outside the UK. Generally, ILR is lost if you are absent for more than two years.
• Application Decision: If your application is approved while abroad, you do not automatically become a British citizen until you attend a citizenship ceremony in the UK.

 

Take advice to avoid issues.

 

Child applicants

 

A parent can apply for British citizenship under Form AN at the same time as their child (under Form MN1). Parents should however consider the possibility that the child may be found to be eligible for registration, but that their own application may be refused.

Section 7 of Form MN1 invites the parent to confirm that, in this event, the child should still be registered as a British citizen.

If the relevant box is not ticked, the child’s application will be treated as having been withdrawn at the point when the parent’s application is refused. The child’s application fee will not be refunded.

 

What happens to your current citizenship if your application is successful?

 

Before submitting Form AN, clarify the position in respect of your existing nationality by contacting the authorities of the country of which you are a citizen through the Embassy or High Commission.

In some countries, a person will automatically lose their nationality if they become a citizen of another country. Others will continue to recognise you s a citizen on dual nationality basis.

 

What if your British citizenship application is refused?

 

You may resubmit an application however it is important to understand why the application failed in the first instance and how this can be addressed or recitifed, for example an error in completing the form, the incorrect fee paid or failure on discretionary grounds.

 

Need assistance?

 

DavidsonMorris is a leading UK immigration law firm specialising in British citizenship and naturalisation applications. In addition to advice and guidance on Form AN, we also support with naturalisation applications for children, using Form MN1. Our team will provide you with a professional and reliable service to avoid any issues or delays with your application.

 

Form AN FAQs

 

Who needs to complete Form AN?

Form AN is required for adults applying for British citizenship through naturalisation. Eligibility depends on factors such as residency, immigration status, and good character.

 

What are the residency requirements?

Applicants must usually have lived in the UK for at least five years (or three years if married to a British citizen), with no more than 450 days spent outside the UK in that period. They must also have been in the UK exactly five years before submitting the application.

 

Do I need to pass an English test?

Most applicants must prove their knowledge of English by passing an approved language test or providing evidence of a degree taught in English. Citizens of certain English-speaking countries are exempt.

 

Is the Life in the UK Test compulsory?

It is, unless one of the limited exemptions apply. A pass certificate must be included with the application.

 

What happens if I make a mistake on my form?

Errors can cause delays or even rejection. It’s important to check all details carefully before submission. If a mistake is discovered after applying, contacting the Home Office promptly may help rectify it.

 

Can a criminal record affect my application?

A history of criminal offences, including minor convictions, can impact eligibility. Each case is assessed individually, considering factors such as severity and time passed since the offence.

 

How long does it take to get a decision?

Processing times vary but typically take around six months. Delays may occur if additional information is required or during busy periods.

 

What if my application is refused?

If refused, the Home Office will provide reasons. There is no formal right of appeal, but applicants may request reconsideration or submit a fresh application if circumstances change.

 

Is my fee refunded if my application is unsuccessful?

Application fees are non-refundable, even if the request is denied. Ensuring all requirements are met before applying is essential to avoid unnecessary costs.

 

Glossary

 

 

Term	Definition
Form AN	The official application form used by adults applying for British citizenship through naturalisation.
Naturalisation	The legal process by which a non-British citizen applies to become a British citizen.
Residency Requirement	A set of rules determining how long an applicant must have lived in the UK before applying for citizenship.
Good Character Requirement	A condition requiring applicants to demonstrate a history of lawful behaviour, including no serious criminal convictions.
Life in the UK Test	A mandatory test assessing an applicant’s knowledge of British history, culture, and values.
English Language Requirement	A rule requiring applicants to prove their ability to speak and understand English, unless exempt.
Home Office	The UK government department responsible for immigration, security, and citizenship matters.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)	A type of immigration status allowing individuals to live and work in the UK without restrictions.
Settled Status	A form of indefinite leave granted to EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Application Fee	A non-refundable charge required when submitting Form AN.
Processing Time	The estimated period the Home Office takes to review and decide on a citizenship application.
Supporting Documents	Evidence required to prove eligibility, such as residency history, identification, and language test certificates.
Refusal	A decision by the Home Office to reject a citizenship application, usually due to ineligibility or errors in the application.
Reconsideration Request	A formal request asking the Home Office to review a refusal decision if the applicant believes an error was made.
Absences from the UK	Time spent outside the UK, which must not exceed certain limits to meet the residency requirement.
Biometric Appointment	A session where applicants provide fingerprints and a photograph as part of the application process.