Can I lose ILR if I don't apply for citizenship?

Yes. ILR can lapse if you spend more than 2 continuous years outside the UK. It can also be revoked in certain circumstances, such as if it was obtained by fraud. British citizenship, once granted, is much more secure and cannot be lost through absence from the UK.

Do I need citizenship to vote in UK general elections?

Yes. Only British, Irish, and qualifying Commonwealth citizens can vote in UK general elections. If you are not a citizen of one of these countries, you cannot vote in general elections with ILR alone. British citizenship gives you the unrestricted right to vote in all UK elections.

Is ILR enough to live permanently in the UK?

ILR gives you the right to live and work in the UK without time restrictions. For many people, this is sufficient. However, ILR does not give you the right to vote in general elections, hold a British passport, or pass on your status to children born abroad. It can also lapse after 2 years outside the UK.

How much does it cost to apply for citizenship after ILR?

The current citizenship application fee is £1,344 for adults. You also need to attend a citizenship ceremony (included in the fee) and may need to pass the Life in the UK test if you have not already done so for your ILR application. Legal fees are extra if you use a solicitor.

How long do I need ILR before I can apply for citizenship?

You must normally have held ILR for at least 12 months before applying for citizenship through naturalisation. During this 12-month period, you must not have been absent from the UK for more than 90 days. You must also meet the 5-year residency requirement overall.

Do I Need Citizenship If I Have ILR?

Updated 27 March 202611 min read

What you need to know

•ILR can lapse if you spend more than 2 years outside the UK. Citizenship cannot be lost through absence.
•Only British citizens can hold a British passport and vote in all UK elections.
•Citizenship gives you stronger protection against deportation.
•You can pass British citizenship to children born abroad. ILR does not pass to children.
•If you are happy staying in the UK permanently and rarely travel, ILR may be sufficient for you.

ILR is a strong immigration status, but it is not as secure as citizenship. Citizenship gives you a British passport, the right to vote, protection from deportation, and the ability to pass citizenship to your children. This guide compares the two so you can make an informed decision.

Preparing a UK visa application?

Get a personalised document checklist and eligibility check — free.

Check your eligibility

What ILR Gives You

Indefinite Leave to Remain is a settled immigration status that allows you to live and work in the UK without any time restrictions. With ILR, you can:

Work in any job without restrictions
Access public funds and benefits (the NRPF condition is removed)
Access the NHS without paying the Immigration Health Surcharge
Apply for student finance
Set up and run a business
Sponsor family members for certain visa types

For many people, ILR provides everything they need. It is a significant milestone and, in practical terms, gives you most of the day-to-day rights of a British citizen.

What ILR Does Not Give You

Despite its name suggesting permanence, ILR has several important limitations compared to British citizenship:

No British passport: You cannot hold a British passport with ILR. You continue to travel on your existing nationality's passport.
No right to vote in general elections: Unless you are a Commonwealth or Irish citizen, ILR alone does not give you the right to vote in UK Parliamentary elections.
It can lapse: If you spend 2 or more continuous years outside the UK, your ILR automatically lapses. You would need to apply for a Returning Resident visa to come back.
It can be revoked: ILR can be revoked on the grounds of fraud, deception, or if you are convicted of a serious criminal offence and deported.
Cannot be passed to children born abroad: If you have a child born outside the UK, they will not automatically acquire any right to live in the UK through your ILR.

What Citizenship Adds

British citizenship gives you everything ILR provides, plus additional rights and protections:

British passport: One of the strongest passports in the world, giving visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 180 countries.
Right to vote: You can vote in all UK elections, including general elections, local elections, and referendums.
Cannot lapse through absence: You can leave the UK for any length of time and return whenever you want.
Stronger protection from deportation: British citizens cannot be deported. In extreme cases, citizenship can be revoked (deprivation), but this is rare and requires the Home Secretary's personal decision.
Passed to children: Children born to British citizens (even abroad) may automatically be British citizens by descent.
Right to stand for public office: You can stand as a candidate in elections.
Consular protection: You can access British consular services when travelling abroad.

The 2-Year Absence Rule for ILR

This is one of the most important differences between ILR and citizenship, and it is the reason many people choose to apply for citizenship even when they are happy with their ILR.

If you leave the UK and stay abroad for 2 or more continuous years, your ILR automatically lapses. It does not matter that you intended to return. Your settled status simply ceases to exist.

You can apply for a Returning Resident visa to return, but this is not guaranteed. You must convince the Home Office that your absence was not a deliberate choice to leave the UK permanently.

Life is unpredictable. Family emergencies, work assignments, caring for elderly parents, or health issues abroad can all lead to extended absences. If there is any chance you might need to spend significant time abroad, citizenship provides security that ILR does not.

When ILR Might Be Enough

Not everyone needs or wants British citizenship. ILR may be sufficient if:

You plan to live in the UK permanently and rarely travel abroad for long periods
Your home country does not allow dual citizenship, and you do not want to give up your existing nationality
You are a Commonwealth citizen and already have the right to vote in UK elections
The cost of the citizenship application (currently £1,344) is a barrier
You are not concerned about passing British status to future children

There is no obligation to apply for citizenship. Many people live in the UK on ILR for decades without any issues. The decision depends on your personal circumstances and priorities.

Preparing a UK visa application?

Get a personalised document checklist and eligibility check — free.

Check your eligibility

When You Should Seriously Consider Citizenship

Citizenship becomes particularly valuable if:

You travel frequently or might need to live abroad for extended periods
You want the security of knowing your status cannot lapse
You want a British passport for easier international travel
You want to vote in UK elections
You plan to have children and want them to be British citizens
Your home country allows dual citizenship, so you lose nothing by becoming British
You work in a field that requires British citizenship (some government and security roles)

The Citizenship Application Process

If you decide to apply for citizenship, the process is:

Wait at least 12 months after receiving ILR before applying for citizenship.
Ensure you meet the residency requirements (no more than 450 days absent from the UK in the 5 years before your application, and no more than 90 days absent in the 12 months before).
Pass the Life in the UK test (if you have not already passed it for ILR).
Meet the English language requirement.
Be of good character.
Submit your application online and pay the £1,344 fee.
Attend a citizenship ceremony once approved.

For a detailed breakdown, see our guide to applying for British citizenship.

Dual Citizenship

The UK allows dual citizenship. Becoming British does not require you to give up your existing nationality, as far as the UK is concerned.

However, some countries do not allow their citizens to hold another nationality. If your home country does not permit dual citizenship, you may need to renounce your original nationality before or after becoming British. Check the laws of your home country carefully before applying.

For more details, see our guide to dual citizenship in the UK.

Cost Comparison

The financial aspect is worth considering:

ILR application: £2,885 (one-off cost, already paid)
Citizenship application: £1,344 (additional cost)
British passport: £88.50 for a standard adult passport (after citizenship is granted)

The total additional cost of citizenship is around £1,720 including the first passport. Whether this is worthwhile depends on the value you place on the additional rights and security that citizenship provides.

See our detailed citizenship fees breakdown for more information.

Making Your Decision

There is no right or wrong answer. The decision depends on your personal circumstances, your plans for the future, your financial situation, and your feelings about identity and belonging.

If you are unsure, consider this: citizenship gives you everything ILR gives you, plus additional rights and much greater security. The main reasons not to apply are cost, the requirement to renounce another nationality (if your home country does not allow dual citizenship), or simply not wanting to become a British citizen.

If you are eligible and can afford it, most immigration advisers recommend applying for citizenship. The additional security and rights it provides are significant, and you lose nothing by having it.

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.

Preparing a UK visa application?

Get a personalised document checklist and eligibility check — free.

Check your eligibility