How to obtain UK citizenship? Passport of a British citizen and a certificate of naturalization

UK citizenship is a cherished dream for many people. That's just getting it pretty hard. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - these states are part of the UK, and if you want to get there and then become a citizen of a country, you will have to try. And have patience.

Business immigration

We should start with this topic. Many are wondering whether it is possible to obtain UK citizenship if there is an opportunity to conduct business in this country: as an individual entrepreneur, partner or representative of a company. If this firm is registered on the territory of the country, then the person has a chance to immigrate. But only under certain conditions.

First, he must have at least 200,000 pounds to invest in his business in the UK. At the current rate, this is about 17 million rubles. Secondly, the income level of a person should be such that he can allow the maintenance of himself and his family, if any, during his stay in the state. And, thirdly, he will be prohibited from getting a job for hire. All the money and forces he must send to the development of business.

After 5 years of successful existence of the company in the UK, a person can apply for a so-called permanent residence permit. By the way, this right is still among those artists, artists or writers who during this period lived and worked in this state.

Investor's Visa

This concept also takes place. This is not a way to obtain UK citizenship, but a permit for investment within the state. But a person should be freely available at least a million pounds sterling. This is 85,000,000 rubles. Of these, about 64,000,000 will need to be invested in the purchase of shares and bonds.

Another investor visa can be given to a sole proprietor who is a representative of any company from abroad. But there is a condition. In the UK there should not be a single branch of this company, and the representative must have powerful powers to negotiate and make certain decisions on the territory of the state.

If you buy a property?

It is worth noting that if a person decides to buy an apartment in England or elsewhere, this will not give him the right to be considered a citizen of such a state as the United Kingdom. Living, of course, is possible, but not on an ongoing basis. Owners of real estate are not endowed with privileges, if you look at this issue from the point of view of immigration laws.

Ways to achieve the desired

In any case, you will have to obtain the right to permanent residence and citizenship. How? There are several options. A person has the right to do so if he has been a legal spouse or permanent partner of someone who is a British citizen for two years. Marriage does not have to be official. The entry permit is granted for six months. During this time, the immigrant must conclude either a civil or official marriage.

Another condition - for 5 years a person must be on the territory of the state as an investor, a creative worker, to undertake, a worker with a permit, a foreigner on an exchange program, a relative of the British, etc.

There is another option that gives an opportunity to get a residence permit. A person must live for 10 years in the state for visas that are not immigrant. And, finally, the last way to obtain UK citizenship. A person can obtain a residence permit if he has lived illegally for 14 years in the territory of the state. However, this fact must be documented.

Naturalization

This is the most common method by resorting to which one can obtain the citizenship of Great Britain. True, it is available only to those people who have overcome the first stage. Namely - they received Indefinite leave to remain (notorious residence permit). The standard requirement is to live in the country for another year after obtaining a residence permit. Exception can be made except to the spouses of citizens of England, Ireland, Wales or Scotland. They simply have to live in the territory of the state for five years after the visa was filed. Previously, until mid-2012, this period was less - 36 months.

Apply for citizenship (naturalization) can be done if a person has lived in the country a year before he was granted a marriage visa.

Documentation

Wanting to get the treasured passport of the UK, you need to know what documents will have to be provided. First, you will need a questionnaire with detailed information about the candidate. There should be everything - starting with the name. And ending with the kind of activity.

We also need characteristics from government agencies. "The British" can only become if you honor the law, do not allow any violations, pay taxes and in general be decent, adequate person. That's why you'll have to get an opinion from a psychiatrist to put it to the rest of the documents. This is a mandatory requirement.

Information about the time that a person spent in the country should also be documented. It is also important to provide information about the guarantors who are British. And "feedback" (recommendations), which they will write about the candidate. However, they should not be relatives of the applicant. And you must know a person for at least 3 years. Both Britons must be specialists in any field. And older than 25 years.

What else should I provide?

Of course, in addition to the above-mentioned securities, many more documents will be required. First, you need an apostille stamp. This is a mark confirming the legality of the documents submitted.

Secondly, it is necessary to provide a passport, in which there must be a pasted card of a permanent resident. Still need a certificate of birth and marriage (this is when a person gets citizenship through marital ties). If there are children, be sure to provide information about them. A letter from the employer is also desirable. It is not necessary, but if there is one, it will be a good recommendation. This document means that the candidate is able to provide himself for the territory of his homeland. An extract from a bank account is also desirable.

Still need to provide the results of passing the exam on the knowledge of the history and culture of Great Britain. And a piece of paper that indicates that the candidate has successfully passed the English language test. And the last two documents are biometric data (prints and digital photos) with a receipt for payment of state duty.

The final stage

As you can see, getting the treasured passport of the UK is very difficult. First - a temporary residence permit, then - extended, and then, finally, the last stage. And it consists in the following.

When all documents are handed over, the application is considered accepted. It can be considered for six months. If all the conditions are met, then the commission makes a positive decision, and the applicant is summoned for taking the Oath of allegiance to the British monarch.

After he does this, he will be given a certificate of naturalization. And this paper becomes the main document that allows a person to obtain a UK passport.

Tests

Well, if everything is more or less clear with terms and documents, then it's worth to tell about the tests in more detail. Without knowledge of the language and culture of the state, it is impossible to obtain a residence permit in the UK.

So, the language. To prove the knowledge of English, you must provide a diploma of study. And the results of their knowledge. For this, a test is given for the level of English, after which a person is assigned a qualification. The levels of C2, C1, B2 and B1 are considered internationally recognized. The category C2 is considered the best. It is almost perfect knowledge of the language.

The availability of qualifications is confirmed by the certificate ESOL or ESOL Entry 3/2/1.

But, in addition to the language, you still need to pass a test of knowledge of life in the UK. This is the next stage. There are 24 questions in this test. All in all, it's true, there are four hundred, and they will have to be learned, but at the exam itself it will be chosen arbitrarily. The answer to the question is 3-4 options. 45 minutes is given for passing the test. It is considered passed, if 75% of the answers were correct. The result becomes known immediately, as soon as a person presses the "answer" button in the last question. If he managed to pass, then a letter is issued that attests to this. It will need to be attached to all other documents when applying for citizenship. Retake of such a test is possible every 7 days.

Job

British employers are interested in attracting standing professionals who could be useful to them. And if a person considers himself so, then he can look for a place for employment in this state. Finding an employer who agrees to help with the registration of a work permit, you can get a visa. Special - working. It can be issued for up to four years. Just remember that you can not change the kind of activity. Will have to work only in a certain area. If, say, a person left to work as a journalist, but after a year decided to get a job in school to teach Russian (this subject does exist in some places), he will not get it even if he has the qualification "teacher" in the diploma.

By the way, a visa can be given to family members of a person who wishes to leave for work in the UK. True, he will have to prove that he is able to support them. And initially the visa will be given to him for 12 months. If he can get a job and have a good reputation, then permission to stay and work in the country will be extended.

By the way, it is worth noting that most often in the UK doctors are invited from other countries. This industry is considered the most attractive, if we talk about foreign specialists.

Training

Another option for a few steps closer to obtaining British citizenship - go to study in one of the universities of the state. First, the diplomas of local universities are recognized throughout the world. And you can get employed with them anywhere. But also there is one nuance. It's quite difficult to enter there.

To begin with, it is recommended to get a job in the university for English language courses. Practically every university has it. And it will be better to prepare for entering.

It is also good that a student visa is granted for the entire duration of the study. And this is 4 years (bachelor's degree). Plus magistracy - 1 year. And if you remember that to get a residence permit you need to live in the UK just five years after receiving a visa, then such a period of training becomes a clear plus.

However, to get an education in a British university, you will have to save up money. As for paying for training, and to ensure all of their needs, ranging from living, eating and ending with the purchase of office supplies. By the way, a student has the right to work 20 hours a week. And, in the event that he shows himself well in the process of training, he can be given a scholarship and even a grant.

In general, as can be seen, it is difficult to obtain British citizenship, but it is possible. If you comply with all the necessary conditions for this.