UK naturalisation timeline & ILR processing time
See every step from your current visa to a British citizenship ceremony — qualifying residence, ILR processing time, the 12-month wait, the Life in the UK test and naturalisation. Enter what you know for a personalised view, then take the printable PDF away.
If not provided, we will estimate based on your years in the UK.
Printable timeline
Get your timeline as a printable PDF
Pick your route and the one date you know. We'll email you an A4 timeline of every milestone ahead — with space to write in your own dates as they happen.
For libraries & ESOL providers: download a blank version to print and hand out — blank Naturalisation (I already have ILR / settled status) timeline (PDF).
General information only, not immigration advice. For advice about your situation, speak to an IAA-registered adviser or a solicitor.
Your naturalisation timeline, stage by stage
The route to British citizenship usually runs in three stages: qualifying residence on your current visa (commonly 5 years, or 10 on the long-residence route), indefinite leave to remain (ILR), and then naturalisation. You can normally apply for citizenship 12 months after ILR — with no wait if you are married to a British citizen. The Life in the UK test and, in most cases, English at B1 are needed for both ILR and citizenship.
ILR processing time and what happens after you apply
Standard ILR decisions are usually made within 6 months, with priority services faster where offered. Once you apply for naturalisation you give biometrics, wait for a decision (often up to 6 months), and attend a citizenship ceremony within 3 months of approval. Processing times move around, so always sense-check the current figures on GOV.UK — this page shows the general shape, not a guarantee.
Checking your eligibility
Eligibility comes down to arithmetic you can do yourself: total your time in the UK and your days spent outside it, and read them against the published residence and absence limits (usually no more than 180 days abroad in any 12 months for ILR, and 450 days over 5 years for naturalisation). This tool presents the rules and your own numbers so you can draw your own conclusion.
General information only, not immigration advice. Total your own dates and check current figures on GOV.UK. For advice about your situation, speak to an IAA-registered adviser or a solicitor.