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You can apply for citizenship if you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and you’re an Irish citizen.

You must also:

• prove you were in the UK exactly 5 years before the day Home Office receives your application
• be of ‘good character’ - this means you must follow UK laws and show respect for the rights and freedoms of other people

You also should not have broken any UK immigration laws.

Residency requirements

You must have lived in the UK for at least 5 years before the date of your application.

You cannot include any time spent in the UK when you’re exempt from immigration control as a:

• diplomat

• member of a diplomat’s staff or household

• member of visiting armed forces

Time you’ve spent outside the UK

You must not have:

• spent more than 450 days outside the UK during the 5 years before your application

• spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months

When to apply

You must have been physically present in the UK exactly 5 years before the Home Office receives your application. Your application may be rejected if you were not.

The Home Office will consider if there are special circumstances, for example:

• you were not able to live in the UK at the start of the 5 year period because of health reasons or travel restrictions

• you were told to leave the UK during the 5 years but this decision was later overturned

Example

The date the Home Office receives your application depends on how you apply. If you apply online, your application will be received on the same day. It will take longer if you apply by post.

How much it costs

It costs £853 to apply if you’re an adult. This includes the £130 citizenship ceremony fee.

If you’re applying for your children

It costs £607 to apply for each child.

If your child is under 18 and you cannot afford to pay the application fee, you may be able to apply for a fee waiver.

You must also pay £130 for your child’s citizenship ceremony if they turn 18 during the application process.

When you apply, you’ll need to provide documents that prove your identity and nationality.

Proving your identity

You can use any of the following to prove your identity:

• passport
• national identity card
• birth certificate
• photo driving licence
• bank, building society or credit card statement issued to you within the last 6 months

Proving your Irish citizenship

You can use any of the following to prove that you are an Irish citizen:

• Irish passport
• Irish passport card
• Irish certificate of naturalisation
• Irish Foreign Birth Register certificate

Your application might take longer to process if you cannot provide any of these documents. 

If you’ve changed your name or gender

If you do not have documents that show your new name or gender, you will need to send documents that show this change. 

This can include:

• a Gender Recognition Certificate
• a letter from your doctor or medical consultant confirming that your change of gender is likely to be permanent
• change of name deed poll
• marriage certificate
• a civil partnership certificate

There are 2 ways to apply. You can either:

• make an application yourself

• use an agent or representative

Make an application yourself

Read the guidance to check if you can apply and what documents you need to provide.

You’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo).

You do not need to send your documents anywhere. You can either:

• upload copies into the online service

• have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment

You can also apply by post.

If you’re applying from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory

If you live in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory, you have to apply by post or in person. Check how to apply with your governor’s office.

You’ll be told where to give your biometric information after you apply.

Get help to apply online

You can get help with filling in the online form if you:

• do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device

• do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

Apply through an agent or representative

An agent or representative is a private company or individual that can help you with your application and give you advice.

Check if an agent or representative is registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA).

You can also use some solicitors or barristers that are not registered with the IAA. The solicitor or barrister must be registered with one of the following organisations instead:

• General Council of the Bar
• Law Society of England and Wales
• Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
• Faculty of Advocates
• Law Society of Scotland
• General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland
• Law Society of Northern Ireland

You must apply separately for your children.

Your child must be an Irish citizen. Read the guidance to check you can apply.

You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months - some applications can take longer. If yours will take longer you’ll be told before 6 months have passed.

You’ll be told if you need to provide more information to help with your application.

If your circumstances change

You should contact UK Visas and Immigration if your situation changes during your application (for example, you move house, get married or are arrested).

Attending a citizenship ceremony

You’ll need to attend a citizenship ceremony if your application is successful. You’ll be given a certificate of British citizenship at the ceremony - you can use this to prove you are British. 

Find out more about citizenship ceremonies.

Once you have become a British citizen you can travel to and from the UK using:

• a British passport
• an Irish passport
• an Irish passport card

You can also apply for a certificate of entitlement to be placed in another country’s passport if you have another nationality.

There are different document requirements if you are a British citizen and are travelling to the UK from Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey or Jersey.

If you have a biometric residence permit (BRP)

If you have a BRP you must send it back to the Home Office within 5 working days of getting your certificate of British citizenship - even if it’s expired.

Cut your BRP into 4 pieces and put it in a windowless envelope.

Include a note saying you’re returning your permit because you’ve become a citizen. Include your name, date of birth and the document number on the front of your BRP.