Path to a British passport
Refugees get ILR after 5 years, citizenship after 6 years from status. ILR is free (fee waiver). The calculator below will show your exact date, accounting for the 2025-2026 reform.
Citizenship calculator
Enter your dates — find out when you'll get a UK passport
Enter your dates
The application date determines the rules, the status date starts the countdown
Haven't received status yet? Enter an estimated expected date.
Your path
Citizenship requirements
Frequently asked questions
How many years until UK citizenship for a refugee?
Minimum 6 years: 5 years to ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain), then another year to citizenship. The countdown starts from the date you received refugee status, not from the date you applied.
Is ILR free for refugees?
Yes. Refugees are exempt from the ILR fee (normally £3,226) through a fee waiver. Citizenship costs £1,839 (application £1,709 + ceremony £130).
What is ILR?
Indefinite Leave to Remain — permanent residence. It gives you the right to live and work in the UK without restrictions. One year after ILR you can apply for citizenship.
What do you need for citizenship?
ILR + 1 year of living in the UK + pass the Life in the UK test + prove English at B1 level (IELTS/Trinity) + good character (no serious offences) + no more than 90 days outside the UK in the year before you apply.
What did the 2025-2026 reform change?
Status is now granted for 30 months with renewal (previously — 5 years at once). ILR is still available after ~5 years of total status. A 20-year path to citizenship has been announced but not yet added to the Immigration Rules. Follow updates.
How does the calculator account for the reform?
The calculator automatically works out which rules apply to you based on your asylum application date. If you applied before 28 June 2022 — the old rules apply (5 years LTR → ILR → citizenship). After that date — the new rules apply (30 months + renewal → ILR → citizenship).