The Home Office have finally confirmed that the new citizenship route will come into force on 22 July 2025.
Back in July 2024, we published an article on the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024, which proposed a new route for Irish citizens to “register” as British. The Act granted powers to the Secretary of State to introduce this new route, but these powers were never exercised, and that was the last news we had on the route for some time.
Now, finally, the Home Office has announced that this new route to citizenship is set to come into force, from 22 July 2025.
The new route will carry a fee of £723 for adults and £607 for children, less than half the cost of a standard naturalisation application. There is also no requirement to demonstrate any English language proficiency, nor to take the Life in the UK test.
An Irish citizen will be able to register as British, provided that they can show they are of good character, and meet the residency requirements, meaning they have:
- been living in the UK for 5 years;
- not been in breach of any immigration laws during that time;
- not been absent for a cumulative total of more than 450 days during that 5-year period; and
- not been absent for more than 90 days in the last 12 months.
If you would like support in applying under the new route, please get in touch at [email protected]
