Applying for British Citizenship: Why you should apply now if you hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

If you currently hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as settlement, or if you are close to qualifying, now is the time to consider applying for British citizenship.

With political parties proposing significant changes to the ILR routes, waiting could mean facing tougher requirements – or potentially losing your chance to naturalise as British altogether.

How Baya Immigration Can Help With Your Citizenship Application

We specialise in helping individuals with Indefinite Leave to Remain successfully apply for British citizenship.

Our Offer:

• No Win, No Fee Citizenship Applications – if your application is refused, we refund our fee (conditions apply).
• A clear fee structure: £1,800 + VAT, refundable if refused.
• Comprehensive legal support, including:
  • Preparing and submitting your application form
  • Checking all your supporting documents
  • Advising on weaknesses and strengthening your evidence
  • Assistance with English language test booking and training
  • Assistance with booking the Life in the UK test
  • Advising on referees to meet Home Office requirements
  • Tailored advice on the good character requirement

The Current Political Climate Around Settlement and Citizenship

The immigration debate is intensifying in the UK. Reform UK has publicly pledged to scrap the right of migrants to qualify for ILR (settlement). If implemented, this would mean that people with ILR or those on the pathway to settlement may never be able to progress to applying for British citizenship.

Even if these proposals never become law, they are already influencing the immigration agenda. Labour and the current Government have floated their own plans to tighten the rules around settlement.

Recent Proposals Include:

• Extending the ILR qualifying period from 5 years to 10 years (as set out in the May 2025 White Paper)
• Requiring evidence of community volunteering
• A higher standard of English language – rising from B1 to B2
• Proof of employment, payment of National Insurance, and no reliance on benefits
• A clean criminal record requirement

The direction is clear: Indefinite Leave to Remain and British citizenship will be harder to achieve in future.

Why Apply for British Citizenship if You Already Have ILR?

While ILR (settlement) allows you to live and work in the UK permanently, it does not give you the full rights of a British citizen. For example:

• ILR can be lost if you spend more than 2 years outside the UK.
• Citizens enjoy full protection from immigration rule changes.
• Citizenship provides the right to vote, a British passport, and complete security in your immigration status.

With upcoming proposals threatening to restrict ILR and naturalisation routes, applying for citizenship as soon as you qualify is the safest way to secure your future in the UK.

Don’t Delay – Secure Your Citizenship Before the Rules Change

If you hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settlement, or are about to qualify, now is the time to act. Delaying could expose you to new rules, stricter requirements, or even risk being excluded from applying for British citizenship altogether.

Fill in our contact form above, and one of our team will be in touch within 1 working day to provide a free initial assessment of your case.

Not Yet Eligible for Citizenship?

If you are still on your pathway to ILR (settlement), our team can also assist with:

• ILR applications
• Guidance on preparing for future naturalisation applications

For further reading, see our blog post on the different types of citizenship applications and eligibility requirements.