ILR vs Citizenship: Which Should You Apply For?

Rights Comparison

Both ILR holders and British citizens can live, work, and study in the UK without restrictions. You can read about ILR rights on GOV.UK and citizenship through ILR. But there are important differences:

• Right to work: Both ILR and citizenship give you unrestricted right to work in any job, including self-employment. No employer sponsorship required.
• Access to public funds: Both allow access to the full range of public funds and benefits.
• NHS access: Both give free access to the NHS without paying the Immigration Health Surcharge.
• Voting: British citizens can vote in all UK elections. Commonwealth and Irish citizens with ILR can also vote in all elections. Citizens of other countries with ILR can only vote in local elections (in England) or devolved elections (in Scotland and Wales) in some cases.
• Jury service: Both ILR holders and citizens can be called for jury service.
• Standing for elected office: Only British, Commonwealth, and Irish citizens can stand for election to Parliament or local councils.

Travel and Passport

This is where the difference is most significant for many people.

• British passport: Only citizens can hold a British passport. The British passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 180 countries, making it one of the most powerful passports in the world.
• ILR holders travel on their home passport: Your travel freedom depends entirely on your home country's passport. If your passport has limited visa-free access, a British passport would be a significant upgrade.
• Re-entry to the UK: British citizens can always enter the UK without question. ILR holders can also re-enter freely, but if they have been absent for more than 2 years, their ILR lapses and they cannot re-enter on that basis.
• Consular protection: British citizens receive consular assistance from British embassies worldwide. ILR holders do not.

Risk of Losing Your Status

This is the most critical practical difference between ILR and citizenship.

ILR Can Be Lost

• 2-year absence rule: If you spend more than 2 continuous years outside the UK, your ILR lapses automatically. You would need to apply for a Returning Resident visa to come back, which is not guaranteed.
• Deportation: ILR holders can be deported if convicted of a serious criminal offence.
• Revocation: ILR can be revoked in certain circumstances, such as if it was obtained by deception.

Citizenship Is Extremely Difficult to Lose

• No absence rule: You can spend as long as you want outside the UK without losing citizenship.
• Deprivation of citizenship: The Home Secretary can deprive someone of British citizenship only in very limited circumstances: if it was obtained by fraud or deception, or if the person's conduct is seriously prejudicial to the vital interests of the UK. This is extremely rare.

If you travel frequently, plan extended periods abroad, or may need to return to your home country for family or work reasons, citizenship provides much greater security than ILR.

Cost Comparison

• ILR application: £2,885 (check current fees on GOV.UK)
• Citizenship application (after ILR): £1,344
• Total for both: £4,545
• British passport (first adult): £82.50 (online)

Citizenship costs less than ILR, but it comes after ILR, so you pay for both over time. If money is tight, you can stay with ILR indefinitely and apply for citizenship when your finances allow.