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Values & Principles

Becoming a Citizen

Know the checkpoints for becoming a citizen or permanent resident: English, Life in the UK knowledge, official booking, test format, and ceremony wording.

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In this topic

What to be able to answer

  • Know the two application requirements: speak and read English, and have a good understanding of life in the UK.
  • Recall the test format: 24 questions in 45 minutes, booked online only through GOV.UK, at about 30 test centres.
  • Recognise the available test languages: English, Welsh, and Scottish Gaelic.
  • Remember that new citizens swear or affirm loyalty to the King at the ceremony.

Learn

The test and what you need to qualify

Topic 3 of 4

The route to remember

Requirements, official booking, test format and ceremony wording.

  1. Step 1

    Qualify

    To apply, you need to speak and read English and have a good understanding of life in the UK.

    Life in the UK testproves the knowledgeB1 Englishspeaking and listening evidence

    Since the handbook: many settlement routes require B2 English from 26 March 2027. Check GOV.UK before you apply.

  2. Step 2

    Book

    Book online only, through the official GOV.UK service, and take the test at a registered test centre.

    About 30test centres around the UK

    Practical detail: booking costs £50 on GOV.UK and needs an accepted form of ID.

  3. Step 3

    Take the test

    Questions come from every part of the handbook, and the 24 questions are different for each person at the same session.

    24questions45 minto answer

    Take identification and proof of your address with you. Isle of Man and Channel Islands residents have different arrangements.

  4. Step 4

    Ceremony

    New citizens swear or affirm loyalty to the King as part of the citizenship ceremony.

    Swear or affirmloyalty to the King

Test languages

Usually English; Welsh or Scottish Gaelic can be arranged.

EnglishWelshScottish GaelicNot French
Read the full explanation (1 min)Optional: the facts above, told in order as one read.

To apply to become a permanent resident or citizen of the UK, you need to speak and read English and have a good understanding of life in the UK. The Life in the UK test proves the knowledge part; English speaking and listening evidence is required at B1 level (ESOL Entry Level 3).

Book the test online only, through GOV.UK, and take it at one of about 30 registered test centres. The test has 24 questions, different for each person at the same session, and lasts 45 minutes; booking currently costs £50. Take identification and proof of your address. Welsh or Scottish Gaelic can be arranged, and Isle of Man or Channel Islands residents have different arrangements.

Done reading? Check yourself

Official source

GOV.UK: Book the Life in the UK Test

Do not mix up

French is not an available Life in the UK test language.
Book through GOV.UK only; registered test centres are the accepted route.
The English evidence is B1 speaking and listening, while the Life in the UK test proves knowledge.

Practise

Check this topic

Preparing three random questions from this topic.