British Citizenship Cost: Full Fee Breakdown

Citizenship Application Fees

British citizenship by naturalisation costs £1,839 in 2026 — a £1,709 application fee plus a £130 citizenship ceremony fee. The exact cost of British citizenship depends on the type of application. The most common route is naturalisation, which is for adults who have lived in the UK with settled status for a qualifying period.

Naturalisation (Adults): £1,839

This is the standard route for most people applying for citizenship. It includes:

• Application fee: £1,709
• Citizenship ceremony fee: £130

This fee applies whether you are applying based on marriage to a British citizen, long residence, or any other qualifying basis.

Registration (Children): £1,000

Children (under 18) who are eligible for British citizenship apply through registration rather than naturalisation. The fee is £1,000. There is no ceremony fee for children.

Registration (Adults): £1,540

Some adults apply through registration rather than naturalisation. This applies to people who have a claim to British citizenship through their parents or through other specific provisions. The fee is £1,540 plus the £130 ceremony fee.

One registration route has no application fee at all: registering under section 4C of the British Nationality Act 1981, which covers people who would have become British through their mother had the law before 1983 allowed it. There is nothing to pay to apply, only the £130 ceremony fee.

Additional Costs

Life in the UK Test: £50

All adult applicants must pass the Life in the UK test before applying for citizenship. The test costs £50 per attempt. If you fail, you can retake it, but you must pay £50 each time.

English Language Test: No Published Price

You must prove English language ability at B1 level (intermediate) or above. If you already proved this when applying for ILR, you can use the same certificate. Otherwise, you will need to take a new test. See our English language tests guide for approved providers and costs.

Document Costs

You may need to pay for certified copies of documents, translations, or additional paperwork. Common costs include:

• Certified document translations: £20-£50 per page.
• Replacement documents (if originals are lost): Variable.
• Passport photos: £5-£15.

Solicitor Fees for Citizenship

Most straightforward citizenship applications do not require a solicitor. However, if your case involves complications (such as time spent outside the UK, criminal record issues, or complex residency questions), professional advice can be valuable.

Immigration solicitor fees for citizenship applications typically range from £500 to £2,000, depending on the complexity. Some solicitors offer a fixed fee for standard applications.

What You Do Not Pay

Unlike visa applications, citizenship applications do not require:

• Immigration Health Surcharge: The IHS only applies to visa applications, not citizenship.
• Biometric fees: GOV.UK says there is no fee for giving your fingerprints and photograph for a citizenship application.

This makes citizenship less expensive than many visa applications when you consider the total cost. However, the application fee itself is still substantial.

Cost Comparison: Routes to Citizenship

The total cost of reaching British citizenship depends on which visa route you took. Here are the approximate total government fees for the most common routes:

Spouse Visa Route

• Initial partner visa from outside the UK: £2,064, plus £3,105 healthcare surcharge for 2 years and 9 months — £5,169
• Extension inside the UK: £1,407, plus £2,587.50 healthcare surcharge for 2 years and 6 months — £3,994.50
• ILR: £3,226
• Citizenship: £1,839
• Total: about £14,230

Skilled Worker Route

• Initial Skilled Worker visa, 3 years from outside the UK: £819, plus £3,105 healthcare surcharge — £3,924
• Extension inside the UK for 2 more years: £943, plus £2,070 healthcare surcharge — £3,013
• ILR: £3,226
• Citizenship: £1,839
• Total: about £12,000

The employer pays the sponsorship costs on this route. Since 31 December 2024 a sponsor may not pass the licence fee, its administrative costs, or the certificate of sponsorship fee on to a Skilled Worker.

These figures are approximate and do not include solicitor fees, English language tests, or other incidental costs. For a full overview, see our UK visa fees guide.

Fee Waivers

Fee waivers for citizenship are very limited. The Home Office may waive fees in specific circumstances, primarily for:

• Children in local authority care.
• Children who cannot afford the fee and it would not be in their best interests to refuse the application.

Most adult applicants will not qualify for a fee waiver. If you believe you may be eligible, check the latest guidance on GOV.UK.

The Citizenship Ceremony

The £130 ceremony fee is mandatory for all adult applicants. After your application is approved, you must attend a citizenship ceremony within 3 months. At the ceremony, you will:

• Make an oath or affirmation of allegiance to the Crown.
• Make a pledge to respect the rights, freedoms, and laws of the UK.
• Receive your certificate of British citizenship.

You are not a British citizen until the ceremony is complete. You can then apply for a British passport. For the full process, see our how to apply for British citizenship guide.

To understand how long the full process takes, read our citizenship processing time guide.

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