Applying for a British passport after ILR — the right order

The single most common misunderstanding

ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) makes you a permanent resident of the UK. It does NOT make you a British citizen, and it does NOT entitle you to a British passport. This confuses many people because ILR feels like the "final" immigration step — you can live in the UK forever, you can work without sponsor restriction, you no longer pay IHS.

But ILR still means you're a citizen of your original country. To get a British passport, you have to become a British citizen — which is a separate application (Form AN), made at least 12 months after ILR is granted (or same-day for spouses).

The correct order — every step

The first British passport application — step by step

Where to apply

Online via gov.uk/apply-renew-passport. Online applications are faster and £13.50 cheaper than paper. Paper applications via a HMPO postal form are still available but increasingly uncommon.

What you'll need to upload (online application)

• Your naturalisation certificate (HMPO will ask you to post the physical certificate in after you apply online — they verify it and return it).
• A digital photo meeting HMPO photo rules (or take one at a HMPO-approved partner photo location).
• A countersignature from a UK professional or established acquaintance who has known you for 2+ years (for first applications).
• Payment of £102 (£115.50 if paper).

Processing time

HMPO targets 3 weeks for standard online applications. For a first British passport, additional verification is required (cross-checking your naturalisation record with UKVI), so expect closer to 4-6 weeks.

Fast-track services if you need it sooner:

• 1-Week Fast Track: £153 (online), guaranteed within 1 week.
• Premium (same day): £204 — attend a HMPO Premium office, get the passport same day. Limited number of locations (London Victoria, Belfast, Cardiff, etc.).

What about international travel between ILR and passport?

You don't need a British passport to travel out of and back into the UK. Use:

• Your original-country passport to travel internationally (the passport you had before you became British).
• Your eVisa share code (from UKVI View & Prove) or BRP to prove your UK status at the border.

Once your British passport arrives, you can stop carrying both — the British passport gives you the right of abode and is sufficient evidence on its own. Many new citizens keep both passports active and use whichever is more convenient for the country they're visiting.

Dual citizenship considerations

The UK allows dual or multiple citizenship — you don't lose UK citizenship by holding another passport, and you don't usually lose other passports by becoming British. However, some countries do NOT allow dual citizenship:

• India — Indian citizens automatically lose Indian citizenship on becoming British. Many former Indians take an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card after naturalisation for ease of travel.
• China — does not recognise dual nationality. Chinese citizens lose Chinese citizenship on becoming British.
• Singapore, Japan, several others — verify with your country of origin before naturalising.

Most other countries (USA, Australia, Canada, most of EU, most of Commonwealth) allow dual nationality. Always check your home country's specific rules before naturalising if dual citizenship matters to you.

BN(O) passport holders — a special case

British National (Overseas) status-holders from Hong Kong already hold a BN(O) passport, but BN(O) is not full British citizenship. BN(O) passport holders still need to:

• Apply for the BN(O) visa to enter the UK.
• Spend 5 years on the BN(O) visa.
• Apply for ILR.
• Wait 12 months after ILR.
• Naturalise as a full British citizen via Form AN.
• Then apply for a full British citizen passport (different from the BN(O) passport).

The full British citizen passport gives the right of abode in the UK and EU rights equivalents (where applicable). The BN(O) passport gives the right to enter the UK but limited residence rights.

Common mistakes

• Applying for British passport before ceremony. You're not yet British until your ceremony is complete. HMPO will reject any application before the certificate is issued.
• Using the BRP/eVisa as a passport. ILR documents are evidence of your right to live in the UK — they're not a travel document and they're not a passport.
• Citing the outdated £88.50 passport fee. Fees went up to £102 on 8 April 2026.
• Forgetting to update the name on your original passport. Some applicants change their name during naturalisation (marriage, family choice) and forget to also update their original passport.