Citizenship is the last step for one to become free of any immigration constraints. You may be eligible to apply to naturalise as a British citizen if you have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement) in the UK.
Naturalisation
Requirements for the British Citizenship application by naturalisation:
- Be over 18 years old;
- Be of good character and of sound mind;
- Have sufficient knowledge of English language and have passed a Life in the UK test;
- Have not broken any immigration laws whilst in the UK;
- Intend to make the UK their main home;
- Have spent less than 90 days outside of the UK in the last 12 months;
- Is settled in the UK and has been free from immigration control for at least 12 months unless married to a British citizen.
- Have lived in the UK for at least five years before the date of application; and
- Have spent less than 450 days outside the UK during the five-year period.
Registration
Although the registration to become British citizens mainly applies to children and this considering the nationality of status of their parents; certain adults may in certain circumstances register as British Citizens.
Child registration
Requirements
The child must:
- Have been born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983;
- Not be automatically British by birth;
- Born of parents (mother or father) who became British citizen or settled in the UK before the child turned 18; and
- Make the application before the child turned 18.
What are the main requirements to apply for registration as a British citizenship?
Registering a child as a British citizen if the child was born in the UK
In order for children to register as a British citizen they must be able to demonstrate that either:
- they were born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983;
- they were not automatically British by birth;
- their mother or father subsequently became a British citizen or settled in the UK before the applicant turned 18; and
- the application is made before the applicant turns 18.
Registering a child as a British citizen if the child was born outside of the UK
- One or both parents are applying for British citizenship at the same time;
- The application is made before the applicant turns 18.
Registering and Adult as a British citizen
It may be possible to register an adult as a British citizen if the adult:
- Has another form of British nationality
- Has a connection with Gibraltar or Hong Kong or;
- Has a British mother or father and had the right to become a British citizen when they were born.
