British Citizenship Application Fees For 2024

In this article, we will discuss the British citizenship application fees for 2024, whether fast-track services are available, what happens after you have paid your application fees. We will also explain how to track your application, and why it is so important to carefully prepare and check your application before it is submitted.

UK citizenship costs

Before embarking on the process of applying for UK citizenship, whether just for yourself or you are applying on behalf of your family, it is important to understand the cost of British Citizenship. As with most immigration applications, you will be expected to pay the British nationality fee upfront (and the British citizenship application fee for children), and for large families, this can represent a substantial amount.

The latest British citizenship application fees for 2024 are as follows:

For more information about Naturalisation and British Citizenship, please check our pages:

British Naturalisation Application

How to apply for British Citizenship by Birth

How to apply for British Citizenship for a child born abroad

How to apply for British Citizenship by descent

When are British citizenship costs paid?

You will need to pay the UK citizenship costs (and British citizenship application fee for children) at the same time you submit your online application form. You will have the option of paying the cost of British citizenship either by credit or debit card.

If you are applying using paper application forms, you will need to complete the payment slip and include this with your submission. Payments for UK citizenship costs can be made by credit or debit card or cheque. The Home Office advise that it is not possible to pay the British nationality fee using cash, Transcash¹, or postal orders.

It is important to note that if you do not pay the required British nationality fee, your application is likely to be considered invalid (see the refund policy below).

Citizenship fee refunds

The following explains the Home Office’s policy on refunds for British citizenship costs:

• If your citizenship application is refused or withdrawn, the Home Office will not issue a refund.
• If you do not pay the full application fee or provide your biometrics (i.e. your fingerprints and photo must be enrolled at a UKVCAS office), it is likely your application will be rejected as invalid. In this case, you will receive a refund less of the administration fee of £25.

Other fees for British citizenship

Depending on your situation, you may have to pay other fees when applying for British citizenship; these may include:

It is important to calculate the total cost of applying for citizenship for yourself and your whole family. If you have any questions about the likely fees for applying for British citizenship, speak to an immigration solicitor who can explain these to you and help you to calculate the total cost.

Is there a fast-track service for British Citizenship?

Unfortunately, there is no fast-track (i.e. premium or super-premium) service available for British citizenship as there is for visa and settlement applications. That said, by carefully preparing your application you can significantly reduce the processing time of your British citizenship application.

What happens after payment for a British citizenship application?

The vast majority of citizenship applications are processed within 6 months. If your case is straightforward and you have provided all of the information required, you may receive a decision within 1 – 3 months. If your case is complex or information is missing, it may take longer than 6 months.

Once your application has been processed, the Home Office will write to you explaining the outcome of your case. If you have been approved for citizenship, you may be invited to a citizenship ceremony (i.e., if you are applying for naturalisation). If so, you will receive a ceremony letter approximately one week after your decision letter. Your letter will explain how to book your citizenship ceremony. This will typically take place around one month after your decision letter is received.

At the citizenship ceremony, you will be awarded your certificate of citizenship. You can then use this certificate to apply for a British passport.

How to track your British citizenship application

The Home Office will advise when your application has been processed. If you have been waiting for longer than the estimated processing time, you can contact the UK Visas and Immigration contact centre for an update on 0300 790 6268.

If you are concerned there may be a problem with your application, we recommend speaking to an immigration solicitor who can check on the progress of your application and, where necessary, engage with the Home Office to resolve any issues.

Importance of carefully preparing your citizenship application

Applying for British citizenship may be the last stage in the process of securing a safe future for yourself and your family. Unfortunately, registration or naturalisation leading to citizenship is an expensive business, and costs often increase each year. When you do apply, you will want to ensure that you do not make any mistakes that may jeopardise your citizenship or cause you to lose a large number of application fees and other costs you have paid.

If you are in any doubt regarding your eligibility or how to ensure your application proceeds smoothly, it is highly advisable to seek the support of an immigration solicitor. Contact our immigration lawyers and solicitors on 020 3744 2797 or complete our enquiry form for your British Citizenship application. By doing so, you will give your family the best chance of securing citizenship on the first attempt. Don’t become one of the many applicants who are refused each year.

References

¹ GOV.UK: Forms of payment accepted for citizenship application