If you want to become a British citizen, you must meet the UK naturalisation good character requirement. This rule checks whether your behaviour and background show that you respect the law and meet the standards expected of a UK citizen.
What is UK naturalisation good character requirement?
The UK naturalisation good character requirement applies to anyone aged 10 or over applying for British citizenship by naturalisation or registration.
It means the Home Office must be satisfied that your past and present behaviour show you are a person of good character.
You will usually pass this test if you:
Have obeyed UK laws,
Have been honest in your dealings with the government, and
Have not committed serious crimes or immigration offences.
The good character requirement is established under Schedule 1 of the British Nationality Act 1981 (BNA 1981). Over time, its scope has been broadened and reinforced by subsequent legislation, including the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 and the Nationality and Borders Act 2022.
Even if you meet all other citizenship conditions — like residency, English language, and Life in the UK test — your application can still be refused if you fail the good character test.
It is one of the most common reasons for refusal in UK naturalisation cases.
UK naturalisation good character requirements: Here is what the Home Office checks
When deciding if you meet the UK naturalisation good character requirement, the Home Office will look at several areas:
Category | What it means | What can lead to refusal | Notes / Guidance |
Criminal convictions | Checks if you’ve respected UK and foreign laws. | • Prison sentence of 12 months or more (UK or abroad). • Multiple shorter sentences adding up to 12 months or more. • Repeated minor offences showing a pattern of offending. • Recent or serious offences. | A single conviction isn’t always fatal, but the more serious or recent the offence, the higher the risk of refusal. |
Terrorism or serious crimes | Examines any involvement in terrorism, war crimes, or crimes against humanity. | • Involvement in terrorism or extremist activity. • War crimes or crimes against humanity. • Conduct considered a threat to public safety. | These are automatic refusal grounds. |
Immigration history | Confirms if you followed UK immigration rules. | • Entering the UK illegally or without permission. • Overstaying a visa or breaching visa conditions. • Using false documents or deception in immigration matters. | Since 2025, those who entered the UK illegally (e.g. small boat crossings) are normally refused citizenship. |
Financial soundness | Reviews your financial responsibility. | • Unpaid taxes or serious tax issues. • Bankruptcy or insolvency. • Large unpaid debts or financial misconduct. | Not always an automatic refusal, but it may count against you if unresolved. |
Honesty and disclosure | Checks whether you’ve been truthful with the Home Office. | • Giving false or misleading information. • Failing to declare previous convictions or immigration issues. • Using false identities or documents. | Dishonesty almost always leads to automatic refusal. |
Public behaviour or notoriety | Looks at conduct that may cause public concern. | • Serious misconduct abroad.• Actions that bring the UK into disrepute.• Behaviour showing disregard for the law or community values. | Even without a conviction, negative behaviour can affect your application. |
Time since offence or issue | Considers how long ago any problem occurred and what you’ve done since. | • Recent offences or ongoing problems. • No evidence of rehabilitation or change. | A long period of good behaviour can improve your chances. |
Positive conduct | Allows you to demonstrate good character through your actions. | • Lack of evidence of positive contribution to society. | Community work, stable employment, and paying taxes can all help support your case. |
How to meet the UK naturalisation good character requirements?
Here are some practical steps to help you meet the UK naturalisation good character requirement:
Be honest: Disclose everything truthfully, even if you think it’s minor.
Provide explanations: If you made mistakes in the past, show evidence of rehabilitation or good conduct since.
Stay lawful: keep immigration records clean and follow all visa and tax rules.
Gather proof: Collect documents showing you’ve contributed positively to the community or maintained a stable life in the UK.
The UK naturalisation good character requirement checks that you have followed the law, acted honestly, and contributed positively to society. Meeting this standard is essential for your British citizenship application to be approved.
