You and Your Community
Local information about Bedfordshire | Multicultural

Border and Immigration Agency

• The Border and Immigration Agency is an Executive Agency of the Home Office and considers applications from people who wish to live, work or settle permanently in the UK and apply for British Nationality/Citizenship. Links to: law and policy, application forms, information about working in the UK and visas.

Routes to Citizenship

• There are two routes to citizenship of the UK depending on your level of English:
  you can take the online 'Life in UK' test or you can complete an ESOL for citizenship course. See below for more details.
   
• NIACE (the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education) has free information packs to download for ESOL for Citizenship trainers and also has a useful FAQ sheet about the two routes (Direct Links).

ESOL for Citizenship courses

• You can check for current local courses on the WEA web. For courses in Bedford and Kempston enter MK in the postcode box and click 'Search'.
  For courses in Luton enter LU in the postcode box and click 'Search'.

Life in the UK (United Kingdom) Test

• Study for the Test
  The 'Life in the United Kingdom' handbook and study guides are available at Bedfordshire libraries. Have a look at the library catalogue (Direct Link) to find locations.
   
• Life in the UK (United Kingdom) Test
  For more information about the test, how to prepare for it and a list of test centres have a look at www.lifeintheuktest.gov.uk
   
• Find the nearest test centre (Direct Link)

Nationality Checking Service (NCS)

• Bedfordshire County Council's Nationality Checking Service is a fee-based service which checks application forms for British Citizenship.

Citizenship Ceremonies

• Bedfordshire Registration Service arranges and conducts Citizenship Ceremonies locally.

Further information

• How to find information about Citizenship (direct link to Bedfordshire Libraries Gateway)
• Directgov Nationality and Citizenship page (Direct Link)