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on April 12, 2025
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It has long been the case – as set out under the British Nationality Act 1981 (BNA 1981) – that anyone wishing to naturalise as a British citizen is expected to be of “good character”.
This “good character” requirement applies to individuals over the age of 10 who apply for British citizenship, whether through naturalisation or certain registration routes.
However, the BNA 1981 does not provide a specific definition of “good character”. Instead, the Home Office caseworker must take into account various factors, to determine whether the applicant is of “good character” on the balance of probabilities.
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) – the division of the Home Office with responsibility for the visa system – publishes guidance on what the department’s caseworkers need to consider when deciding whether an applicant for British citizenship meets the “good character” requirement.
So, what exactly does the guidance now say, and what impact could this have for some applicants for British citizenship?
Below, our experts in UK immigration law at Cranbrook Legal explain the vital things to know.
As aforementioned, there is no definition of “good character” in the BNA 1981. This means Home Office caseworkers must assess each case individually.
When you apply for British citizenship, one of the most important things you can do is practise the highest standards of honesty and transparency.
This means you should be truthful and comprehensive in your application about:
Indeed, the current UKVI guidance makes clear that applicant “deception and dishonesty” can be a factor in assessing “good character”. It states that a citizenship application may be refused where the applicant “has attempted to lie or conceal the truth about an aspect of their application”.
Candidates for British citizenship are also obliged to give the names of two referees on their application. These named individuals should be able to vouch for the applicant’s identity and character.
The referees that you name will need to satisfy the following criteria:
The factors that are considered when assessing “good character” in British citizenship applications
The following are generally the key areas that a Home Office caseworker will assess and consider when they are seeking to determine an applicant’s “good character”:
The applicant having a criminal record does not automatically mean their application for British citizenship will be refused. However, if there is evidence of the applicant not respecting or abiding by the law, there could be a strong chance of their application being unsuccessful.
This encompasses any involvement in, or association with, actions regarded as non-conducive to the public good, such as terrorism, war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.
The applicant having accrued significant debt, or having failed to pay taxes for which they were liable, are examples of situations in which their British citizenship application may be refused on the basis of a lack of financial soundness.
The term “notoriety” is defined in the Home Office guidance as “the state of being famous or well-known for some bad quality or immoral deeds”.
Examples of notorious behaviour that the guidance specifies, include persistent anti-social behaviour such as excessive noise pollution or public drug use, and public expressions of unsavoury views on subjects such as race, religion, or sexuality.
Evidence of deceitful and dishonest dealings by the applicant, including towards other UK Government departments – such as fraudulently claiming benefits or providing false details in order to obtain a driving licence – can also lead to refusal of a citizenship application.
An applicant may be turned down for British citizenship if they have violated immigration laws – for example, by overstaying, working in breach of conditions, or helping someone evade immigration control.
If the applicant has previously been deprived of citizenship, this is another circumstance that can lead to the Home Office declining to grant them this status once more.
It is crucial to emphasise that the above list is non-exhaustive. An application for British citizenship can be refused if there are doubts about the applicant’s character even where they do not fall into one of the aforementioned categories.
A caseworker may also request an interview with the candidate to help them make an overall assessment.
There is some good news for certain individuals – including, potentially, some Cranbrook Legal clients – who lodged their application for British citizenship prior to the latest change:
The significant change to the guidance, then, applies to applications for British citizenship submitted from 10th February onwards:
As we have referenced in this article, there are various factors related to the “good character” requirements that might lead to you being refused for British citizenship.
These factors heightening your chances of a refusal can include you having a record of serious criminal convictions or immigration violations, your deliberate withholding of relevant information, and/or unresolved financial issues or debts.
Putting to one side the “good character” aspects, here are some of the other common reasons for someone not being granted British citizenship by the Home Office:
The UK is known for its strict rules for British citizenship applications.
If, for example, you’re applying for citizenship on the basis of existing indefinite leave to remain (ILR) status, you will need to have already lived in the UK for five years, in addition to having had ILR status for 12 months (although this 12-month wait requirement won’t apply if you’re married to a British citizen). You will also be expected to pass the “life in the UK” test, in addition to proving your knowledge of English, Welsh, or Scottish Gaelic.
It can be so easy to end up falling short of these requirements – and therefore being met with a refusal.
Various documents are typically required for a British citizenship application. These include the likes of a valid passport or travel document, proof of residence, and evidence of knowledge about the UK.
In some cases, it may be the absence of certain crucial documents in your application that leads to a refusal, while in other instances, even a simple typo can be to blame. So, you will need to be highly vigilant about documentation when putting together your application.
In the words of the department itself: “In a very few cases, refusal might be due to official error.” To put this another way: yes, the refusal of a British citizenship application can conceivably happen as a result of the Home Office making a factual or legal mistake.
There isn’t any legal right of appeal when it comes to British citizenship application decisions. However, there is the potential option of using “Form NR” to ask the Home Office to reconsider its decision. Our specialists in UK immigration law can advise you on this.
Naturally, our team at Cranbrook Legal is greatly concerned about the potential implications this latest change to the Home Office’s guidance could have for many of our clients, including for their ability to obtain British citizenship. If this is an issue you believe could affect you, please don’t hesitate to call our award-winning experts in UK immigration law, on 0208 215 0053. You also have the option of submitting and completing our online contact form to book a free consultation with us.
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