What is the main difference between ILR and citizenship?

The main difference is permanence. ILR can lapse if you leave the UK for more than 2 years and can be revoked in certain circumstances. British citizenship is permanent and cannot be lost through absence. Citizenship also gives you a British passport, the right to vote in all elections, and the ability to pass citizenship to your children.

Do I need ILR before I can get citizenship?

In most cases, yes. The standard route to citizenship is through naturalisation, which requires you to have held ILR for at least 12 months. However, some people can apply for citizenship through registration (for example, children or people with a British parent) without first having ILR.

Can I skip ILR and go straight to citizenship?

No, if you are applying through the standard naturalisation route. You must first obtain ILR, then wait at least 12 months before applying for citizenship. There is no shortcut to skip ILR in the naturalisation process. Registration routes for those with existing connections to Britain are different.

Which is more expensive, ILR or citizenship?

ILR costs £2,885 and citizenship costs £1,344. However, you need ILR first (in most cases), so the total cost to reach citizenship is £4,515 plus any legal fees, biometric fees, and the cost of the Life in the UK test and English language evidence.

Can I be deported with ILR?

Yes. People with ILR can be deported if they are convicted of a serious criminal offence. The automatic deportation threshold is a prison sentence of 12 months or more. British citizens cannot be deported from the UK, although citizenship can be deprived in very rare cases if the person has another nationality.

Citizenship vs ILR: Which Should You Apply For?

Updated 27 March 202612 min read

What you need to know

•ILR is a stepping stone. Citizenship is the final destination for most people seeking permanent UK settlement.
•ILR lapses after 2 years outside the UK. Citizenship does not.
•Citizenship costs £1,344 on top of the £2,885 you paid for ILR.
•Both require the Life in the UK test and English language evidence.
•If your country allows dual nationality, there is little downside to getting citizenship.

ILR gives you the right to live and work in the UK permanently, but it can lapse and can be revoked. Citizenship adds a British passport, voting rights, deportation protection, and true permanence. This comparison helps you weigh the costs, benefits, and eligibility requirements of each.

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Here is a direct comparison of the key differences between ILR and British citizenship:

Right to live and work in the UK: Both ILR and citizenship give you this right without restrictions.
Access to public funds: Both. The NRPF condition is removed with ILR.
British passport: Citizenship only. ILR holders travel on their existing nationality's passport.
Right to vote in general elections: Citizenship (plus Commonwealth and Irish citizens with ILR). Other ILR holders cannot vote in general elections.
Permanence: Citizenship is permanent. ILR lapses after 2 continuous years outside the UK.
Deportation protection: British citizens cannot be deported. ILR holders can be deported for serious criminal offences.
Pass status to children: British citizens can pass citizenship to children born abroad. ILR does not pass to children.
Stand for Parliament: British and Commonwealth citizens only.
Consular protection abroad: Citizenship only.

ILR: What It Offers

Indefinite Leave to Remain is the UK's form of permanent residency. Once granted, it removes all immigration conditions from your stay. You can work in any job, access public funds, and live in the UK without applying for further visas.

ILR is a major achievement. For most people, it is the first truly settled status they reach after years of temporary visas. The requirements for ILR include 5 years of continuous lawful residence (on most routes), the Life in the UK test, and the English language requirement.

The application fee is £2,885, making it one of the most expensive immigration fees in the world.

Citizenship: What It Adds

British citizenship is the highest level of status in the UK. It cannot be lost through absence, gives you a British passport, and provides full political rights.

To qualify for citizenship through naturalisation, you must have held ILR for at least 12 months. You must also meet residency requirements, be of good character, and intend to make the UK your home (or maintain a close connection with it).

The application fee is £1,344, and you must attend a citizenship ceremony to receive your certificate.

The Permanence Question

This is the single most important difference between the two statuses.

ILR holders who leave the UK for more than 2 continuous years lose their ILR automatically. There is no warning and no grace period. If this happens, you must apply for a Returning Resident visa to come back, and approval is not guaranteed.

British citizens can leave the UK for any length of time and return whenever they want. There is no risk of losing your status through absence.

This matters even if you do not plan to leave. Unexpected circumstances, such as a family emergency, a job opportunity abroad, or a health issue, can keep you away longer than expected. Citizenship eliminates this risk entirely.

The British Passport

A British passport is one of the most powerful travel documents in the world. It provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 180 countries and territories. Depending on your current nationality, a British passport could dramatically simplify your international travel.

With ILR, you continue to travel on your existing passport. If your passport requires visas for countries you want to visit, this remains unchanged. Some ILR holders also need a visa to return to the UK if they travel without a BRP (for example, if it is lost or stolen abroad).

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Voting and Political Rights

British citizens can vote in all UK elections: general elections, local elections, and referendums. They can also stand as candidates.

ILR holders who are Commonwealth citizens can vote in UK elections. ILR holders from non-Commonwealth countries cannot vote in general elections (they can vote in local elections in some parts of the UK).

If political participation is important to you and you are not a Commonwealth citizen, citizenship is the only way to gain full voting rights.

Deportation and Security of Status

British citizens cannot be deported from the UK. This is an absolute right.

ILR holders can be deported if they receive a prison sentence of 12 months or more. Under the UK Borders Act 2007, deportation is automatic for foreign nationals sentenced to this length, unless deportation would breach their human rights.

While most ILR holders will never face deportation, this difference highlights the greater security that citizenship provides. In the most extreme cases, citizenship itself can be deprived, but this power is used very rarely and only where the person has another nationality to fall back on.

Passing Status to Children

British citizens can pass their citizenship to children born abroad (with some limitations, see our citizenship by descent guide). This means your children can be British from birth, wherever they are born.

ILR does not pass to children. A child born in the UK to an ILR holder is automatically British, but a child born abroad to an ILR holder has no automatic right to British status.

If you plan to have children and there is any chance they might be born outside the UK, obtaining citizenship first ensures they will be British from birth.

Cost Comparison

ILR application fee: £2,885
Citizenship application fee: £1,344 (see the latest fee table)
Life in the UK test: £50 (required for both, but you only take it once)
English language evidence: Varies (same evidence works for both)
British passport (after citizenship): £88.50

The total journey from temporary visa to citizenship costs upwards of £4,500 in government fees alone, not including legal advice, biometric enrolment, or the Immigration Health Surcharge paid during the visa stage.

For detailed cost breakdowns, see our ILR cost guide and citizenship cost guide.

Dual Nationality Considerations

The UK has no restrictions on dual nationality. You can be British and hold another citizenship simultaneously. This means becoming British does not require you to give up your existing nationality.

However, your home country may have different rules. Some countries require you to renounce your original citizenship if you acquire another. Others may not recognise your British citizenship. Research your home country's position before applying.

If your country does not allow dual citizenship, you face a genuine trade-off: the benefits of British citizenship versus giving up your original nationality. This is a deeply personal decision that depends on your ties to your home country, your travel needs, and your long-term plans.

Our Recommendation

For most people with ILR, applying for citizenship is the logical next step. The additional rights, security, and peace of mind it provides are significant, and the cost, while not trivial, is modest relative to what you have already invested in your immigration journey.

The main reasons to stay with ILR are if your country does not allow dual citizenship and you do not want to renounce it, or if the £1,344 fee is genuinely unaffordable right now (there is no deadline to apply, so you can wait until your finances allow).

Whatever you decide, do not let your ILR sit idle for too long without at least considering the next step. Life changes, and the security that citizenship provides may become more important than you expect.

This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Immigration rules change frequently. For advice on your specific situation, consult an OISC-registered adviser or immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the latest rules.

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