A new faster service is now available for people making a British citizenship application.
From 20 July 2026, the Home Office introduced the British Citizenship Priority Service, allowing applicants applying from within the UK to pay an additional £500 for a faster decision on their citizenship application.
This is welcome news for people who do not want to wait for the standard British citizenship processing time, which is usually up to 6 months.
How Does the British Citizenship Priority Service Work?
If you choose the British Citizenship Priority Service, you pay an additional £500 on top of the normal citizenship application fee.
Applicants using the priority service should normally receive a decision within 30 working days from the date their biometric information is submitted.
However, it is important to understand that 30 working days is a target and not a guarantee.
Your application may take longer if the Home Office needs to carry out additional checks, including checks with other government departments, national security or identity enquiries, or if your case is particularly complex or requires enhanced scrutiny.
Why Might Someone Use the British Citizenship Priority Service?
Many people are happy to wait for the standard processing time. However, for some applicants, receiving a decision more quickly can make a significant difference.
We have already had a number of clients who travel frequently for business contact us because they would prefer to obtain their British citizenship as soon as possible rather than wait several months for a decision.
It is important to clarify that you can generally travel after submitting a naturalization application, provided you have a valid passport and valid immigration status allowing you to return to the UK.
Therefore, the priority service is not necessarily required simply because you need to travel.
Can an Existing British Citizenship Application Be Upgraded?
No.
If you have already submitted your British citizenship application, you cannot simply upgrade it to the paid priority service.
If you want to use the priority option, you need to select the service when making your application.
This is why it is important to decide before submitting your application whether the standard service or British Citizenship Priority Service is more appropriate for your circumstances.
Need Help With Your British Citizenship Application?
At Stay UK, we can assess your eligibility for British citizenship, review your immigration and travel history, advise you on the evidence required and help you determine whether the priority service is appropriate for your circumstances.