To become a UK resident from Bangladesh, a Bangladeshi citizen must first gain lawful residency, often through a work or family visa, and then apply for British citizenship via naturalisation after fulfilling residency requirements. This process typically involves living in the UK for a specific period, having a certain visa type (like a skilled worker visa), and meeting other criteria, such as passing the Life in the UK test and demonstrating knowledge of English. 

General path to residency and citizenship
  • Initial entry: Obtain a visa to live and work in the UK from Bangladesh. This could be a work visa, a visa based on being a student, or other routes.
  • Achieve Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): Once you have met the requirements for your specific visa route (e.g., continuous work or study for a certain number of years), you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as “settlement”.
  • Apply for naturalisation: After obtaining ILR, you can apply for British citizenship. There are two main paths for adults:
    • If married to a British citizen: You may be eligible to apply after living in the UK for 3 years, provided you have settled status and meet the other requirements.
    • If not married to a British citizen: You can typically apply after living in the UK for 5 years and being settled for 1 year. 
Specific requirements for citizenship (naturalisation)
  • Lawful residence:
    • For those married to a British citizen: At least 3 years.
    • For others: At least 5 years.
  • Settled status: You must have indefinite leave to remain in the UK for at least one year before applying, unless you are married to a British citizen.
  • Good character: You must not have a serious criminal record or other issues like significant debts or unpaid taxes.
  • Language and knowledge: You must prove your knowledge of English (or Welsh or Scottish Gaelic) and pass the “Life in the UK” test.
  • Intent: You must intend to continue living in the UK after becoming a citizen.
  • Age: You must be at least 18 years old. 
Other considerations
  • Dual citizenship: The UK permits dual citizenship, so you can become a British citizen and retain your Bangladeshi citizenship. You should, however, check if Bangladesh has any restrictions on dual citizenship.
  • Application process: The application is typically done online, and you will need to attend an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre to provide your biometric information.