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Are you thinking of applying to naturalise as a British citizen?
Or were you born outside of the UK, and you are a child of a British national?
Or are you a parent with limited leave to remain, and your child/children were born here, and want to know if they are British nationals by birth?
We regularly advise and assist clients with Successful Naturalisation and Registration applications.
Find out how my Award Winning Service can help you
to Naturalise / Register as a British Citizen Here.
Become a British Citizen
Becoming a British citizen after having permanent residency/settlement in the UK is the usual route for some people. However, many people mistakenly believe that this is an automatic right, when in fact, becoming a British Citizen is at the discretion of the Home Secretary.
What does being a British Citizen mean?
It means that you have the right to permanently live and work in the UK without any immigration restrictions, since you have what is otherwise known as a right of abode in the UK.
Providing you meet all of the requirements under the British Nationality Act (1981) to become a British citizen, you may be able to apply for British citizenship through either the process of naturalisation or registration.
Check if you’re already a British citizen
Some individuals may already be British citizens without needing to apply. This can occur in several scenarios:
- You were born in the UK: If you were born in the UK before this date, you are automatically a British citizen. This is because, prior to this date, simply being born in the UK conferred automatic citizenship.
- You have a British parent: If one of your parents was a British citizen at the time of your birth, you are automatically be a British citizen.
- You were born in a British overseas territory: Birth in a British overseas territory can also entitle British citizenship, depending on the date and circumstances of your birth.
- You have a connection to a past or present British territory: Historical connections to British territories can sometimes result in automatic citizenship.
To confirm your status, you can check if you’re already a British citizen on the GOV.UK website
British Nationality Law and Requirements
British nationality law is complex, and the requirements for citizenship can vary depending on your individual circumstances.
It’s essential to understand the different types of British citizenship and the requirements for each. The British Nationality Act 1981 outlines the legal framework for acquiring British citizenship, and it’s important to be aware of how these laws apply to your situation.
Whether you are applying through naturalisation, registration, or another route, understanding the specific requirements is crucial for a successful application.
Types of British Citizenship
There are several types of British citizenship, each with its own set of requirements and pathways. These include:
- British citizenship by naturalisation: This is the most common route for adults who have lived in the UK for a certain period and meet other eligibility criteria.
- British citizenship by registration: This route is often available to children and certain adults who have a connection to the UK or a British overseas territory.
- British citizenship by descent: This applies to individuals born outside the UK to British parents, allowing them to inherit British citizenship.
Understanding the type of British citizenship you are eligible for is the first step in the application process.
Naturalisation
If you were born outside the UK, and have legally lived continuously in the UK for 5 years or more, and you have had had Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Settled Status as an EU National or as a dependant of an EU National, you may be eligible to apply for British Citizenship.
The requirements are: You must:
- Be aged 18 or over; and
- Be of sound mind & good character; and
- Intend to continue living in the UK; and
- Have sufficient knowledge of life in the UK; and
- Be able to acceptably communicate in English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic, unless exempted; and
- Meet the residential qualifying period of 5 years (or 3 years for spouses/civil partners of a British citizen); and
- Have had Indefinite Leave to Remain/permanent residency in the UK for at least 12 months
Registration
Alternatively, you may be able to register as a British citizen instead of applying for naturalisation.
There are various complicated categories here including if you are a British Overseas citizen or Overseas Territory citizen, or you have previously given up your citizenship, or you are a person who is stateless.
You can also register if you were born in the UK and your parents are settled in the UK, or if you were born outside of the UK to British parent/s before the 1st of July 2006.
Each category has different requirements that must be met.
If you would like to discuss your case properly, we recommend booking a consultation with us.
Application Fees
The current home office fee for Naturalisation is £1,630* and the fee for Registration (as an adult) is currently £1,481*. *Both include a citizenship ceremony fee of £130. It is important to note that Home Office Immigration and nationality fees are always subject to change. - You can find the latest Home Office fees published here.
Other costs you may need to consider are the 'Life in the UK Test' which is £50 and the 'English Language Test' which is approximately £150.
Applying for a British Passport
When To Apply:
Once you have obtained the British citizenship certificate, you will be able to apply for a British passport. This is the most acceptable evidence of British citizenship although, alternatively, you may be able to apply for a nationality status document if you do not have the right documentation to apply for a passport.
When Not to Apply:
Many people mistakenly believe that after they have had ILR or settlement status in the UK, that they can automatically apply for a British passport without first applying to naturalise as a British citizen.
This is a costly mistake to make, since the fees to the Home Office for such applications, once submitted, cannot be refunded.
Want your Application to be completely managed by a Naturalisation Specialist?
* Get Expert Advice and Support to submit your Naturalisation or Registration Application.
* Get Full Guidance on Satisfying all of the Requirements and ensuring you have the correct Supporting Documents.
* Have your Application processed Quickly and Efficiently.
* Ensures your Application has the Highest Chance of Success.
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