When Can I Apply for British Citizenship?
Enter the date you were granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and this free calculator shows the earliest date you can apply for British citizenship — including the special rule for spouses and civil partners of British citizens.
Enter your ILR date to see your earliest citizenship application date.
The 12-month rule explained
For most people, you must hold ILR (also called settled status) for 12 months before you can apply to naturalise as a British citizen. So if you were granted ILR on 1 June 2026, the earliest you could normally apply is 1 June 2027.
The big exception: if you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, the 12-month wait does not apply. You can apply as soon as you have ILR, as long as you have lived in the UK for at least 3 years.
The other requirements
Meeting the date is only part of it. To naturalise you also need to:
- Have spent no more than 90 days outside the UK in the 12 months before applying
- Meet the total absence limit (450 days over 5 years, or 270 days over 3 years)
- Have passed the Life in the UK test (unless exempt)
- Meet the B1 English requirement
- Meet the good character requirement
Frequently asked questions
How long after ILR can I apply for citizenship?
Most people wait 12 months after getting ILR. Spouses and civil partners of British citizens can apply straight away.
What is the 12-month rule?
You must have held ILR or settled status for at least 12 months before applying to naturalise — unless you are the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen.
Do I need to retake the Life in the UK test for citizenship?
No. If you passed it for your ILR application, that pass still counts. If you have not passed it yet, start with our free mock tests.
Related tools and guides
Last reviewed: August 2026 — based on GOV.UK guidance. This tool is for guidance only and is not legal advice. Always check GOV.UK before applying.