Life in the UK test for ILR and British citizenship
The Life in the UK test is part of two common applications: settlement (indefinite leave to remain, or ILR) and British citizenship (naturalisation). It is the same test for both, and you only need to pass it once.
This is a summary, not immigration advice. Eligibility depends on your circumstances and the rules change. Always check the official guidance on GOV.UK for your application.
Indefinite leave to remain (settlement)
GOV.UK describes indefinite leave to remain as how you settle in the UK – it gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and you can use it to apply for British citizenship. There are different routes depending on your visa and circumstances, for example work, family, or long residence.
Many settlement applications need you to pass the Life in the UK test. Check the guidance for your route on GOV.UK’s indefinite leave to remain page.
British citizenship
There are different ways to apply for citizenship. A common one is after indefinite leave to remain: GOV.UK says you can usually apply for ILR after living in the UK for 5 years, and to apply for citizenship with ILR you must usually have lived in the UK for 12 months after getting it.
If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, GOV.UK says you must have lived in the UK for the last 3 years and have ILR or settled status – and you can then apply for citizenship immediately.
Check all the routes on GOV.UK’s British citizenship page.
One pass covers both
You do not need to take the test again if you have passed it before – for example, if you are applying for citizenship and already passed it for your settlement application. You use your unique reference number in your application. Read more about the pass mark and results.
Other requirements
The Life in the UK test is usually one of several requirements. Many applications also need you to prove your knowledge of English. See English language requirements on GOV.UK.
Prepare once, pass once
Because the same pass covers both applications, preparing properly the first time saves money and time. Start with what the test covers, then follow our study plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Life in the UK test the same for ILR and citizenship?
Yes. It is the same test, and you only need to pass it once. A pass for settlement also counts when you apply for citizenship.
When can I apply for British citizenship after ILR?
GOV.UK says that to apply for citizenship with indefinite leave to remain you must usually have lived in the UK for 12 months after getting it. If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, different rules apply. Check GOV.UK for your situation.
Practise on your phone
Citizenship Prep has 1,270+ practice questions, 40 practice tests,13 mock tests that work like the real exam and the complete study handbook. Premium translates every question and the whole handbook into 13 languages.
Android version coming back to Google Play soon