How Pakistani Students Can Get UK Citizenship After Completing Their Studies

British citizenship is a legal status granted to individuals who have met the requirements set by the UK government. It provides individuals with the right to live, work, and vote in the UK, as well as access to public services such as healthcare and education. People apply for British citizenship for various reasons, including the desire to become fully integrated into British society, to gain the right to vote and participate in the democratic process, to have access to certain benefits and services, and to enjoy the ability to travel without restrictions within the European Union and other countries.

Who is Eligible To Apply For UK Citizenship

• To become a British citizen, following are the prerequisites:

• If you have a status of permanent residence of UK from last 12 months or more.

• If you have been living in UK for last 5 years (doesn’t have to be continuous).

• If you haven’t been outside the UK for total 450 days during the previous 5 years.

• You have to prove your English language proficiency.

• You intend to live in UK after getting the citizenship

• You must have a good character and don’t have any criminal record

British Citizenship Application Fee

The application fee for British citizenship is currently £1,330 for a standard application (naturalizing as a British Citizen). You can pay online or by post using a cheque or postal order.

How To Apply For British Citizenship

• Candidates can apply by answering some questions and by setting up a new account on UK home office website or you can apply by accessing your old account.

• After setting up your account, you will get a form package named as “Naturalizing as a British Citizen Form AN”.

• The instruction manual and all of the required forms will included in that package. Make sure you don't miss or skip anything.

• Submit all the required documents and answer all the queries

• Submit your British Citizenship application fee through online banking system or by post using a cheque or postal order.

• Submit the application processing fee receipt to your account to successfully submit your application.

Processing Time For British Citizenship Application

The processing time for your application begins on the day that Home Office receives your application. We advise you to submit you application online for quick submission. The UK government usually takes 6 months to declare any decision to British Citizenship candidates. 

After Submitting Your Application For UK Citizenship

After submitting your application if you have to make some changes in your application or you have shifted your house or your contact details are different now, you have to visit the UK Visas and Immigration part of the Home Office. After submitting your application you have to wait for at least 6 months for answer and if your application gets accepted you have to attend the UK Citizenship Ceremony.

British Citizenship Ceremony

You will receive an invitation to attend a citizenship ceremony, which is typically held within three months of your application being approved. The ceremony is an important step in the process and involves taking an oath or affirmation of allegiance to the UK, receiving your certificate of British citizenship, and potentially being able to vote in UK elections. You can postpone your ceremony if you are not in UK or due to any other problem but you must attend the ceremony within 3 months of getting your citizenship ceremony invitation. The cost of your Ceremony is included in your application fee. You may have to pay extra for private ceremony.  

What to Bring To Your Citizenship Ceremony

• A printout of your British Citizenship Ceremony Invitation.

• You can take two guests with you to you Citizenship Ceremony.

• You have to take an identification proof with yourself such as driver license or identity card.

What Happens at Citizenship Ceremony

• Your British Citizenship Ceremony will be organized by your local authorities and the ceremonies are usually done in groups but you can also ask for private a ceremony by paying some extra amount. At your British Citizenship Ceremony:

• You'll have to make an oath of allegiance (or an affirmation if you preference is not to swear by God) and a pledge.

• By making an oath, you will promise to respect the UK's rights, freedoms and laws forever.

• At the end of the ceremony, you'll be receive your certificate of British citizenship and a welcome pack.

After you get your certificate

You must send your biometric residence permit (BRP) back to the Home Office. You must cut your BRP into four pieces and put it in an envelope. You must send that envelope within 5 working days of receiving your certificate of British citizenship with a note saying that you’re returning your permit because you’ve become a British citizen now. Write your name, date of birth and the document number (found on the front of the card) in that note. Candidates will be fined up to £1,000 if they do not return the permit within 5 working days.