New Good‑Character Rules

New Good‑Character Rules

Mariam was just nine when she fled her war-torn country. She travelled alone, frightened and exhausted, on a small overcrowded boat. Her parents had been detained, and smugglers promised she would be safe in the UK. After a dangerous journey through multiple countries, she finally arrived on the southern coast. A local charity contacted social services, who placed her with a foster family. Mariam learned English, went to school, earned a degree, and now works full-time helping other young refugees.

Today, she is 24 and wants to apply for British citizenship. But under the new Good Character rules introduced in February 2025, her dangerous journey might count against her. Even though she was a child, her route into the UK may now lead to a refusal.

This article (Part 1 of 2) explains the current rules for applying for British citizenship and how the Good Character requirement plays a key role. In Part 2, you will find detailed guidance about recent changes, who they affect, and what legal action is being taken.

Applying for British Citizenship: Key Differences

To apply for British citizenship, you need to meet several key requirements. These differ slightly depending on your situation. If you’re married to a British citizen, you’ll need to meet one set of rules. If you received your indefinite leave to remain (for example, through work or another route), you’ll follow a slightly different path. In both cases, there are specific requirements around how long you’ve lived in the UK, how long you’ve held settled status, and whether you meet the good character standard. We’ll explain both sets of rules in full below.

British Citizenship: Requirements for Those With Indefinite Leave to Remain (5-Year Route)

If you’re not married to a British citizen but have been living in the UK with indefinite leave to remain or settled status, you may be able to apply for citizenship through the 5-year route. To qualify, you’ll need to meet all the following requirements:

1. Good character
   You need to show that you’ve been honest, responsible, and law-abiding. The Home Office will look at things like criminal records, unpaid taxes, immigration history, and any false information given to public bodies.
2. English language requirement
   You must prove that you can speak and understand English (or Welsh or Scottish Gaelic). This is usually done by passing an approved English test or showing you’re from a majority English-speaking country.
3. Pass the Life in the UK Test
   You need to pass a multiple-choice test about British history, values, and everyday life. It’s called the Life in the UK Test and must be taken at an approved test centre.
4. Not been away from the UK for more than 90 days in the last year
   In the 12 months before you apply, you should not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK.
5. Not been away from the UK for more than 450 days in the past five years
   Over the full five-year qualifying period, you should not have been outside the UK for more than 450 days in total.
6. Be physically present in the UK exactly five years before applying
   You need to have been physically in the UK on the same date exactly five years before the day you apply. Even a short trip abroad on that date can lead to refusal.
7. Lived lawfully in the UK for five years
   You must have followed the immigration rules during your five years in the UK, with the correct visas or status in place the whole time.
8. Held settled status or indefinite leave to remain for at least 12 months
   You must have had permanent status (such as indefinite leave to remain or EU settled status) for at least one full year before applying.
9. Plan to stay in the UK long-term
   You must intend to live in the UK permanently. This means the UK should be your main and permanent home after you become a British citizen.

British Citizenship: Requirements If You’re Married to a British Citizen (3-Year Route)

If you’re married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you may be able to apply for British citizenship after just three years of living in the UK. You’ll need to meet all the following requirements:

1. Good character
   You must show that you’ve followed UK laws and behaved responsibly. This includes having no serious criminal record, no immigration breaches, and no unpaid taxes or dishonesty in dealings with public authorities.
2. English language requirement
   You’ll need to prove you can understand and speak English (or Welsh or Scottish Gaelic). Most applicants meet this by passing an approved English language test or showing they come from an English-speaking country.
3. Pass the Life in the UK Test
   This test checks your knowledge of British history, values, and daily life. It’s a multiple-choice exam taken at an approved centre and is a key part of the application.
4. Not been outside the UK for more than 90 days in the last 12 months
   You must not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the year before applying for citizenship.
5. Not been outside the UK for more than 270 days in the past three years
   During your three-year qualifying period, you should not have been absent from the UK for more than 270 days in total.
6. Be physically in the UK exactly three years before applying
   You must have been in the UK on the same calendar date three years before your application. If you were abroad on that date, even briefly, your application may be refused.
7. Lived lawfully in the UK for three years
   You must have had the correct visas or immigration status for the entire three-year period and followed all immigration rules.
8. Have settled status or indefinite leave to remain on the date you apply
   You must have permanent residence status (such as indefinite leave to remain or EU settled status) on the day you submit your application. However, unlike other routes, you don’t need to have held it for 12 months.

What the Good Character Requirement Means for British Citizenship

To become a British citizen, you need to show that you are of good character. This is one of the most important parts of the application and a common reason for refusal. The good character requirement applies to everyone aged 10 or over. Even if you meet all the other criteria, your application can still be refused if the Home Office has concerns about your character.

The Home Office looks at your behaviour over time, not just what’s happening now. They’ll check if you’ve followed UK laws, been honest in your dealings with government departments, and respected others in your community.

Here are a few examples of what may count against you:

• You were caught working illegally before getting a visa.
• You have unpaid taxes, or you’ve been declared bankrupt and haven’t followed court rules.
• You gave false information to get a visa or benefits.
• You’ve been involved in a criminal case, even if it was minor.

Even behaviour outside the UK can affect your application. If you were convicted abroad or linked to criminal groups, this may also lead to refusal. The Home Office can also look at your social media, online activities, and community associations if they feel these raise concerns.

Examples of Failing the Good Character Test (and What You Can Do)

The good character test is wide-ranging and can include past behaviour that many people think is no longer relevant. Here are more examples of what could lead to a refusal:

Immigration breaches: If you overstayed a visa or entered the UK without permission, this could be a problem.

Deception: If you used a fake document years ago, or failed to mention something important in an old application, it may be held against you.

Criminal records: Even a caution or fine can be considered, especially if it happened recently. But not all crimes lead to refusal – it depends on the type of offence and how much time has passed.

Financial issues: Failing to pay your taxes or ignoring a court order in the UK could also count against your application.

However, the Home Office may still grant citizenship if there are strong reasons. This is called using discretion. You can improve your chances by showing how you’ve turned your life around – for example, proof of stable work, positive community involvement, and a clean record for many years.

If something in your past might be a concern, you should always explain it clearly and include evidence. Strong, honest representations can help the caseworker understand your situation and apply discretion in your favour.

Next Steps

To find out how the February 2025 changes to the Good Character guidance affect your application and what legal challenges are already underway please read Part 2 of this article.