British nationality is a complex subject, but we’ll cover how to get UK citizenship for everyone eligible. While there are six types of British nationality, only British citizens automatically have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom (UK).
How to get UK Citizenship
There are three main ways to get UK citizenship.
- Birth – being born in the United Kingdom.
- Descent – your parents or grandparents were UK citizens.
- Naturalization – you have lived in the UK for, usually, five years.
We’ll look at the three options in detail and then show the process to follow for each option.
British Citizenship by Birth
Not everyone born in the UK has automatic citizenship. There is no birthright in the law.
If you were born in the British Isles before 1983, you might qualify regardless of the nationality of your parents.
If you are born after 1983, to qualify, one of your parents must:
- Be a British citizen at the time of your birth – OR –
- Be an Irish citizen resident in the UK – OR –
- Have settled status in the United Kingdom. This could be permanent residency (PR), right of abode, or indefinite leave to remain (ILR).
There have been several changes to European parents’ rights between 2000 and 2021, making this complex. If your parents didn’t have formal settled status, you might still be eligible. This impacts parents from:
- The European Union (EU)
- The European Economic Area (EEA)
- Switzerland
You should check with an expert if you were born in the UK between those dates.
If you were born in the UK and lived there for your first ten years, you may also be eligible for British birthright citizenship.
British Citizenship by Descent
Many children (and some grandchildren) of UK Citizens can inherit citizenship.
Your eligibility will depend on several factors:
- Which parent (or grandparent) is a British national.
- How your parent (or grandparent) gained their nationality.
- When you were born.
- Where you were born.
If you think you qualify, it is worth checking with a quality British Immigration lawyer specializing in citizenship.
British Citizenship by Naturalization
The qualify for UK citizenship by naturalization, you must have legally lived in the UK. The standard qualification period is five years.
In addition, you must:
- Pass a “good character” test.
- Be a resident of the UK and spend sufficient time in the country.
- Have had “settled status” for twelve months before you apply. This could be PR or ILR.
Other factors that can influence the qualification time and application process are:
- The citizenship/s you currently have.
- Being married or related to a UK citizen.
British citizenship by marriage
You can apply for UK citizenship by naturalization after just three years if you are married to a UK citizen.
The UK recognizes gay marriage, so spouses in these unions can apply for citizenship through marriage.
UK Citizenship by Investment
The UK does not have a direct Citizenship by Investment program. You could, however, use the Tier 1 investor visa to purchase residency in the past. From there, you can qualify through the naturalization process.
Note: The UK government is not accepting new applications for Tier 1 visa at present.
Can UK citizens have dual citizenship?
Yes, there is no restriction in British law against dual citizenship.
Applying for UK citizenship
The process to follow will depend on how you qualify for citizenship.
Applying for British citizenship by naturalization
In addition to the many forms, you will also be asked for additional information. Before applying, it is worth collating documentation such as birth certificates, visa information, and English language qualifications. Also, you will need to provide photographs and fingerprints, also known as biometric information.
You must be able to speak English
The government has a standard of English that you must pass.
The UK Life Test
For UK residence and UK Citizenship, you will need to pass the life in the UK test. The only exemptions are for those under 18 and over 65 or if you have a medical condition confirmed by your doctor.
The test takes about 45 minutes and comprises 24 questions based on the UK way of life. It can be a little tricky. Sample questions from the test often appear in the UK Media, and many UK nationals fail to get a good score! Help is at hand by way of official handbooks that can be purchased to help you revise.
The Advantages of UK Citizenship
The UK is still a widely respected, stable democracy. The British biometric passport is still one of the world’s most powerful passports, with visa-free access to more than 165 countries worldwide. Importantly, this includes the world’s major economies of the USA, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, and the European Union.
As a UK citizen, you have access to a strong and active consular network around the globe. The UK’s diplomatic presence is one of the world’s most effective.
You also have full access to the United Kingdom’s social safety net, one of the world’s finest. This includes the National Health Service and the education system.
These qualities mean British nationality and Britain’s powerful passport consistently rank in the top ten across many surveys and rankings.
Although BREXIT means you no longer have access to the European Union, a UK passport is still great.
Wider British Nationality
Your connection can be to the United Kingdom or a defined group of territories. The United Kingdom includes England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Of the territories, the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar automatically offer full British citizenship.
The other territories include Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, the Falkland Islands, Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Gibraltar, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Citizens of all have connections to the UK and may, in some cases, be eligible.
Now you know how to become a UK citizen
Nationality in the United Kingdom is complex, given the history of the United Kingdom and the British Empire. But, with the proper support, thousands of people get the prized blue passport every year.
