The good character requirement explained

The British Nationality Act 1981 says you must be of good character to naturalise, and to register as a British citizen if you are aged 10 or over. The law does not define good character. The Home Office's caseworker guidance, 'Good character: nationality policy guidance' (version 7.0, April 2026), explains how decisions are made.

The Home Office must be satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that you are of good character. If it is not, the application is refused and the fee is not normally refunded.

Guide AN says that if you are not sure, you should declare it. You do not need to declare family law proceedings such as divorce.

Older fixed waiting periods (such as 10 or 15 years after a sentence) now apply only to applications made before 31 July 2023.

• Since 10 February 2025, people who entered the UK illegally will normally be refused, however long ago the entry happened. The same applies to people who arrived without a required entry clearance or electronic travel authorisation (ETA) after a dangerous journey, such as by small boat or hidden in a vehicle. Arriving as a passenger on a commercial flight is not a dangerous journey.
• There are exceptions, for example where the breach was outside the person's control, such as victims of trafficking, and special consideration for people who were children at the time.
• Working illegally within the 10 years before the decision will normally lead to refusal.
• Deception in an earlier immigration application, such as using false documents, will normally lead to refusal if it happened within the previous 10 years.
• Assisting illegal migration, for example by employing illegal workers, will normally lead to refusal however long ago it happened.

The guidance also lets caseworkers disregard some earlier breaches of the residence rules for people with ILR, but this does not apply to illegal entry.

• Debt on its own does not normally lead to refusal, but debts built up deliberately or recklessly with no serious intention of repaying them will.
• NHS debts of £500 or more are a ground for refusal. If you have paid, keep the receipts.
• Unreasonably failing to pay council tax, or making false statements to pay less, will normally lead to refusal.
• Failing to pay tax you owe counts against you.
• If you have been declared bankrupt, the application can normally be granted if the bankruptcy was annulled or you were discharged at least 10 years ago, unless there was fraud.

The guidance treats non-disclosure seriously. If you fail to declare something that would have led to refusal, the application must be refused, and further applications will normally be refused for the next 10 years unless the omission was a genuine, unintentional error. Citizenship obtained by deception can be taken away later.

If anything in your history might be relevant, get advice from a regulated immigration adviser (registered with the Immigration Advice Authority) or a solicitor before you apply. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Read the full guidance at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/good-character-nationality-policy-guidance.