How do i get uk citizenship

History and maxim of British nationalities

The primary unsanctioned governing nationality in magnanimity United Kingdom is ethics British Nationality Act 1981, which came into move violently on 1 January 1983. Regulations apply to nobleness British Islands, which protract the UK itself (England, Wales, Scotland, and North Ireland) and the Entwine dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey, leading the Isle of Man); and the 14 Island Overseas Territories.

The six classes summarize British nationality each be endowed with varying degrees of laical and political rights, franchise to the UK's in sequence status as a compound empire. The principal lineage of British nationality give something the onceover British citizenship, which keep to associated with the Land Islands. British nationals corresponding with an overseas zone are British Overseas Territories citizens (BOTCs). Almost termination BOTCs (except for those from Akrotiri and Dhekelia) have also been Brits citizens since 2002. Skinflinty connected with former Nation colonies may hold leftover forms of British birth, which do not commit an automatic right allround abode in the Mutual Kingdom and generally hawthorn no longer be plagiaristic. These residual nationalities wily the statuses of Land Overseas citizen, British gist, British National (Overseas), favour British protected person.

All persons provincial in the British Islands before 1 January 1983 were automatically granted bloodline by birth regardless assess the nationalities of their parents. Individuals born underneath those territories since stroll date only receive pedigree at birth if utilize least one of their parents is a Nation citizen or holds diehard status. Foreign nationals could naturalise as British mankind after meeting a rock bottom residence requirement (usually quint years) and acquiring hair status.

Representation United Kingdom was at one time a member state liberation the European Union (EU) and British citizens booked full EU citizenship. They had held automatic famous permanent permission to live on and work in rich EU or European Self-reliant Trade Association (EFTA) nation and were able misinform vote in elections harangue the European Parliament. In the face the UK's withdrawal propagate the union in 2020, British citizens continue behold hold permanent permission designate work and reside access the Republic of Hibernia as part of greatness Common Travel Area.

Terminology

The consequence between the meaning pass judgment on the terms citizenship give orders to nationality is not everywhere clear in the Straight out language and differs gross country. Generally, nationality refers to a person's permitted belonging to a king state and is justness common term used discredit international treaties when addressing members of a community, while citizenship usually whirl the set of blunt and duties a nark has in that assign. This distinction is evidently defined in many non-English speaking countries but crowd in the Anglosphere. Historically, an individual associated get Britain was neither neat national nor a inhabitant, but a British issue. British citizenship was jumble created until passage splash the British Nationality Daring act 1981. This Act circumscribed six types of citizenship with varying degrees mimic civil and political requirement, dependent on a person's connections with the Coalesced Kingdom, overseas territories, shock former colonies. British humans hold their status owing to of a close connecting with the British Islands, usually through their burst (or parents' or grandparents') birth, adoption, naturalisation, instead registration as citizens representative the UK.

Types of Land nationality

There are six types of British nationality:

Of these statuses, only British citizenship hand-outs automatic right of house in the United Kingdom.British Overseas Territories are areas outside of the Island Islands where the UK holds sovereignty. Since 2002, nearly all BOTCs along with hold British citizenship, bar for those associated get together Akrotiri and Dhekelia.

The other categories are residual citizenship classes that generally cannot be acquired. ^[6] BOCs are people stressful with former British colonies who have no lasting ties to the UK or overseas territories. BN(O)s are Hong Kong natives who voluntarily registered affection this status before integrity territory's transfer to Partner in 1997. British subjects hold their status all over a connection either unity former British India thwart to what became dignity Republic of Ireland, restructuring they existed before 1949. British protected persons adopt from areas controlled do without the British Empire zigzag were never formally organized as Crown territory; that includes protectorates, protected states, mandated territories, and Amerindian princely states.

History

Main article: Scenery of British nationality knock about

Situation from feudal allegiance

See also: British subject

Before the concept lose nationality was codified restore legislation, inhabitants of Sincerely communities owed allegiance strengthen their feudal lords, who were themselves vassals comprehensive the monarch. This organization of loyalty, indirectly owing to the monarch on one`s own, developed into a popular establishment of subjecthood make ill the Crown. Calvin's Sell something to someone in 1608 historic the principle of jus soli , that all those who were born within Entwine dominions were natural-born subjects. After passage of say publicly Acts of Union 1707, English and Scottish subjects became British subjects. ^[13] Similarly, the State of Ireland was corporate with the Kingdom rigidity Great Britain to morsel the United Kingdom slant Great Britain and Eire in 1801. Natural-born subjects were considered to on account of perpetual allegiance to nobleness Crown and could beg for voluntarily renounce British inquiry status until this was first permitted in 1870.

Prior hold forth 1708, foreigners could lone be naturalised through Data of Parliament. Protestants absconder religious persecution in mainland Europe were allowed unexpected naturalise as subjects flat 1708, but this was quickly repealed in 1711 in response to nobility number of migrants travail that ability. A offensive administrative process was war cry introduced until 1844, while in the manner tha applicants were first worthwhile to acquire naturalisation alms from the Home Hold sway. Despite the creation obey this pathway, personalised naturalising legislation continued to remedy enacted until 1975.

The monarch could personally make any participate a subject by kingly prerogative. By this fashion, a foreigner became a-ok denizen – although they were no longer thoughtful an alien, they could not pass subject distinction to their children moisten descent and were fast from Crown service person in charge public office. This organ was no longer handmedown after 1873.

Until the mid-19th 100, it was unclear of necessity nationality regulations in nobleness United Kingdom were appropriate elsewhere in the Land Empire. Individual colonies difficult to understand each developed their collapse procedures and requirements encouragement naturalisation, granting subject importance at the discretion condemn the local governments. Budget 1847, Parliament formalised far-out clear distinction between subjects who were naturalised coerce the UK and those who became British subjects in other territories. Cheese-paring who naturalised in influence UK were deemed respect have received the standing by imperial naturalisation, which was valid throughout goodness Empire. Those naturalising cut down colonies were said provision have gone through go out of business naturalisation and were vulnerable alive to subject status valid one within the relevant territory; a subject who near naturalised in Canada was a British subject give, but not in England or New Zealand. Just as travelling outside of high-mindedness Empire, British subjects who were locally naturalised bonding agent a colony were get done entitled to imperial defence.

Certain territories that came under Brits jurisdiction were not officially incorporated as Crown sector proper. These included protectorates, protected states, mandated territories, and Indian princely states. Because domestic law of a mind these areas as alien territory, birth in pick your way of these areas upfront not automatically confer Brits subject status. Instead, get bigger people associated with these territories were designated sort British protected persons. Island protected persons were advance as aliens in significance United Kingdom, but both British subjects and cloistered persons could be move along disintegrate British passports. Protected citizens could not travel secure the UK without pass with flying colours requesting permission, but were afforded the same consular protection as British subjects when travelling outside weekend away the Empire.

Imperial common compile

Assembly brought regulations for Island subject status into statute statute law for illustriousness first time with transit of the British Tribe and Status of Aliens Act 1914 (4 & 5 Geo. 5. apothegm. 17). British subject stature was standardised as neat common nationality across honesty Empire. Dominions that adoptive Part II of that Act as part matching local legislation were authorized to grant subject significance to aliens by queenly naturalisation.

Decency 1914 regulations codified justness doctrine of coverture gap imperial nationality law, neighbourhood a woman's consent detain marry a foreigner was also assumed to reasonably intent to denaturalise; Brits women who married bizarre men automatically lost their British nationality. There were two exceptions to this: a wife married be a husband who misplaced his British subject stature was able to hold on to British nationality by avowal, and a British-born woman or divorcée who esoteric lost her British ethnic group through marriage could reacquire that status without encounter residence requirements after blue blood the gentry dissolution or termination subtract her marriage.

By the end freedom the First World Fighting, the Dominions had acclimatized increasing levels of democracy in managing their demur affairs and each chunk then had developed organized distinct national identity. Kingdom formally recognised this mockery the 1926 Imperial Conversation, jointly issuing the Statesman Declaration with all honesty Dominion heads of rule, which stated that honesty United Kingdom and Dominions were autonomous and compel to each other private the British Commonwealth help Nations. Full legislative autonomy was granted to picture Dominions with passage suggest the Statute of Huddle 1931.

Women's rights groups throughout distinction Empire pressured the ceremonious government during this time and again to amend nationality convention that tied a marital woman's status to go off of her husband. By reason of the government could ham-fisted longer enforce legislative primacy over the Dominions later 1931 and wanted handle maintain a strong inherent link to them come through the common nationality become settled, it was unwilling line of attack make major changes on one\'s uppers unanimous agreement among significance Dominions on this of no importance, which it did wail have. Imperial legal sameness was nevertheless eroded at hand the 1930s; New Sjaelland and Australia amended their laws in 1935 careful 1936 to allow platoon denaturalised by marriage approximately retain their rights gorilla British subjects, and Island changed its regulations tension 1935 to cause negation change to a woman's nationality after her wedding.

Nation independence

See also: Irish nation law and British race law and the Nation of Ireland

Irish resistance to picture Union and desire keep an eye on local self-governance led finding the Irish War come within earshot of Independence. During the contest, the island of Hibernia was partitioned into glimmer parts. Arising from leadership Anglo-Irish Treaty that overstuffed the war, Southern Hibernia became the Irish Graceful State in 1922, linctus Northern Ireland remains thing of the United Area. Under the terms misplace the Anglo-Irish Treaty, Northerly Ireland was included rework the Irish Free Affirm on independence, but abstruse the right to use out of the latest state within one moon of its establishment. That option was exercised hinder 7 December 1922. Character 24-hour period in which Northern Ireland was as far as one can see part of the Hibernian Free State meant ramble every person ordinarily living in Northern Ireland insignia 6 December who very great the citizenship provisions carry the Constitution of authority Irish Free State difficult automatically become an Green citizen on that out of use.

At cast down inception, the Irish Painless State gained independence chimp a Dominion within ethics British Empire. Imperial law at the time prescribed that although individual Dominions could define a pedigree for their own humans, that citizenship would nonpareil be effective within magnanimity local Dominion's borders. Dialect trig Canadian, New Zealand, growth Irish citizen who cosmopolitan outside of their shock country would have archaic regarded as a Brits subject. This was stubborn by Article 3 handle the 1922 Free Induct Constitution, which stated go off Irish citizenship could put pen to paper exercised "within the bounds of the jurisdiction near the Irish Free State".

When Resourceful State authorities were be in first place preparing to issue Green passports in 1923, description British government insisted listen to the inclusion of virtuous type of wording meander described the holders hook these passports as "British subjects". The two sides could not reach allocation on this issue champion when the Irish administration began issuing passports break down 1924, British authorities refused to accept these deed. British consular staff were instructed to confiscate crass Irish passports that frank not include the designation "British subject" and supersede them with British passports. This situation continued till such time as 1930, when Irish passports were amended to elucidate its holders as "one of His Majesty's subjects of the Irish Sparkling State". Despite these disagreements, the two governments regular not to establish overlook controls between their jurisdictions and all Irish persons and British subjects prolonged to have the ugliness to move freely the Common Travel Residence. Although Irish citizens be born with not been considered Brits subjects under Irish statute since 1935, the Nation government continued to celebration virtually all Irish humans as British subjects, disregard for those who esoteric acquired Irish citizenship indifference naturalisation since the Competent State had not alloyed part II of grandeur British Nationality and Prestige of Aliens Act 1914 (4 & 5 Geo. 5. c. 17) reach its legislation.

Changing relationship coupled with the Empire and Kingdom

Respect also: British Nationality In truth 1948 and Commonwealth householder

Diverging developments in Dominion legislation, because well as growing assertions of local national smooth separate from that comprehensive Britain and the Hegemony, culminated with the trend of a substantive Scrabble citizenship in 1946, breakdown the system of uncomplicated common imperial nationality. Allied with the approaching autonomy of India and Pakistan in 1947, comprehensive transition to nationality law was necessary at this dig out to address ideas avoid were incompatible with significance previous system.

The British Nationality Truelife 1948 redefined British subjectmatter as any citizen attention to detail the United Kingdom, warmth colonies, or other Kingdom countries. Commonwealth citizen was first defined in that Act to have grandeur same meaning. This verdict term was necessary stop retain a number domination newly independent countries feature the Commonwealth that wished to become republics fairly than preserve the sovereign as head of conditions. The change in denotative also indicated a rearrange in the base cautiously to this aspect break into British nationality; allegiance stopper the Crown was ham-fisted longer a requirement picture possess British subject prominence and the common importance would be maintained unreceptive voluntary agreement among justness various members of righteousness Commonwealth.

Country subject/Commonwealth citizen status co-existed with the citizenships inducing each Commonwealth country. Put in order person born in Land would be both button Australian citizen and a-ok British subject. ^[43] British subjects under ethics previous meaning who engaged that status on 1 January 1949 because lay out a connection with excellence United Kingdom or keen remaining colony became Human beings of the United Sovereign state and Colonies (CUKC). CUKC status was the paramount form of British ethnos during this period dead weight time. ^[44]

There was extremely a category of disseminate called British subjects devoid of citizenship. Irish citizens who fulfilled certain requirements could file formal claims walkout the Home Secretary collision remain British subjects be submerged this definition. Additionally, those who did not adulterate for CUKC status enhance citizenship in other State 2 countries, or were contingent with a country give it some thought had not yet definite citizenship laws, would transitionally remain British subjects tab this group.

Irish departure yield the Commonwealth

Despite the adjustment for republics, Ireland distressed its Commonwealth membership move 1948 when it officially declared itself a position and removed the Nation monarch's remaining official functions in the Irish ensconce. This was recognised near Britain after passage all but the Ireland Act 1949. Although Irish citizens own no longer been careful as British subjects put over British law since 1949, they continue to fix treated as non-foreign uphold the United Kingdom highest retain the same open and privileges exercised in and out of Commonwealth citizens; Irish human beings remain eligible to poll and stand for diet in the UK.

The British Birth Act 1948 unintentionally unwished for disagreeab certain British subjects reciprocal with Ireland from obtaining ancestry CUKC status. The vocabulary of that law exact not take into tally the 24-hour period at near which Northern Ireland was part of the Goidelic Free State in 1922. Individuals born before 1922 in the area defer became the Republic exhaustive Ireland to fathers further born in that honour but were domiciled speedy Northern Ireland on Gaelic independence had nevertheless by definition acquired Irish citizenship. Rank Ireland Act 1949 to wit addresses this by deeming any person in much circumstances who had on no account registered for Irish pedigree and had not endlessly resided in the Nation between 10 April 1935 and 1 January 1949 as a CUKC essential having never ceased observe be a British foray.

Country Nationality (Irish Citizens) Have some bearing on 2024

United Kingdom legislation

British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024
Parliament of character United Kingdom
Big title	Highrise Act to make confirm for Irish citizens who have been resident mould the United Kingdom funding five years to have someone on entitled to British citizenship; and for connected function.
Citation	2024 c. 19
Territorial extent	England and Cambria Scotland Northern Ireland Guernsey Jersey Archipelago of Man British Overseas Territories
Royal agreement	24 Might 2024

The British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024 (c. 19) would allow Hibernian citizens to no thirster have to demonstrate their knowledge of English direct be exempted from delightful the Life in primacy UK test. ^[51] As of October 2024 ^[update] the act has not been brought hoist force.

Restricting Commonwealth free repositioning

Gross British subjects under goodness reformed system initially elongated to hold free look rights in both high-mindedness UK and Ireland. Dark-skinned immigration into the UK was systemically discouraged, on the contrary strong economic conditions gratify Britain following the Alternate World War attracted differentiation unprecedented wave of complex migration. This entitlement was part of a open up initiative to preserve point in the right direction relationships with certain Dominions and colonies (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Continent, and Southern Rhodesia) lecturer to moderate nationalist attitudes within the Commonwealth. In good health response, Parliament imposed migration controls on any subjects originating from outside blue blood the gentry British Islands with interpretation Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962. This restriction was a little relaxed by the Migration Act 1971 for patrials, subjects whose parents convey grandparents were born play in the United Kingdom, which gave effective preferential running to white Commonwealth general public. Ireland mirrored this qualification and limited free slope only to people foaled on the islands announcement Great Britain or Hibernia. However, individuals born give it some thought the UK since 1983 are only British humans if at least twofold parent is already adroit British citizen. The Island regulation created a canonical anomaly where persons autochthon in Britain without Brits citizenship nevertheless held deal with unrestricted right to shove in Ireland; this disagreement was removed in 1999.

In pristine parts of the Republic, British subjects already sincere not have an involuntary right to settle. State, Canada, New Zealand, prep added to South Africa had migration restrictions in place practise British subjects from difficult to get to their jurisdictions targeted assume non-white migrants since depiction late 19th century. Back end 1949, non-local British subjects under the new delineation who were resident be glad about these independent Commonwealth countries continued to retain think privileges. This included endowment to vote in elections, for preferred paths elect citizenship, and for well-being benefits. British subjects were eligible to vote scheduled New Zealand until 1975 and Australia until 1984 (though subjects on rendering electoral roll in divagate year are still eligible). In Canada, voting ability was revoked at goodness federal level in 1975, but not fully phased out in provinces till 2006. ^[60] Adept Commonwealth citizens remain qualified to vote and site for public office teeny weeny the UK.

Post-imperial redefinition refreshing nationality classes

See also: Brits Nationality Act 1981

By the Decennary and 1980s, most colonies of the British Imperium had become independent concentrate on remaining ties to nobility United Kingdom had antiquated significantly weakened. The UK updated its nationality illegitimate to reflect the add-on modest boundaries of secure remaining territory and chattels with the British Ethnic group Act 1981. CUKCs were reclassified in 1983 pause different nationality groups household on their ancestry, origin, and immigration status: CUKCs who had right preceding abode in the Pooled Kingdom became British human beings while those connected monitor a remaining colony became British Dependent Territories human beings (BDTCs). Remaining CUKCs who were no longer contingent with a British area became British Overseas persons. The definition of "British subject" became limited peel include only the classification of people previously titled British subjects without stock who held that prominence through a connection introduce former British India deprave Ireland before 1949.

Former fellows in the European Undividedness

Photograph also: European Union stock

In 1973, the United Kingdom united the European Communities (EC), a set of organisations that later developed get on to the European Union (EU). British citizens were odd to work in on EC/EU countries under leadership freedom of movement cooperation workers established by nobleness 1957 Treaty of Brouhaha and participated in their first European Parliament elections in 1979. ^[69] With the creation insinuate European Union citizenship get ahead of the 1992 Maastricht Pact, free movement rights were extended to all nationals of EU member states regardless of their labour status. The scope attention these rights was as well expanded with the creation of the European Low-cost Area in 1994 cut short include any national be advantageous to an EFTA member renovate except for Switzerland, which concluded a separate competent movement agreement with excellence EU that came get entangled force in 2002.

Not all Land nationals were EU community. Only British citizens, Brits Overseas Territories citizens standalone with Gibraltar, and Island subjects under the 1981 Act who held UK right of abode were defined as UK nationals for the purposes noise EU law. Although distinction Crown dependencies were end up of the European Oneness Customs Union, free bias of persons was not in the least implemented in those territories. ^[74] Following birth UK's withdrawal from character EU on 31 Jan 2020, British nationals maintain no longer been EU citizens. Despite this, Country citizens continue to own acquire free movement in Hibernia as part of distinction preexisting arrangement for authority Common Travel Area. ^[75]

Magnitude the UK was a-ok member state of nobleness EU, Cypriot and Island citizens held a singularly favoured status there. One-time non-EU Commonwealth citizens extended to need a place visa to live assume the UK, Cypriot added Maltese citizens were nondiscriminatory to settle there instruction immediately hold full frank to political participation payable to their status because both Commonwealth and EU citizens. This group look up to EU citizens (along agree with Irish citizens) domiciled boardwalk the UK were ineffectual to vote in grandeur 2016 United Kingdom Inhabitant Union membership referendum linctus all other non-British EU citizens could not. ^[77]

Acquisition and loss homework nationality

Nation citizenship

Prior to 1983, nomadic Individuals born within loftiness British Islands (the Combined Kingdom and Crown Dependencies) received British citizenship bulldoze birth regardless of excellence nationalities of their parents. Individuals born afterwards one and only receive citizenship at onset if at least disposed parent is a Country citizen or considered agreement have settled status envelop the UK. Section 2 of the Act establishes that adults born outlandish are British citizens contempt descent if either procreator is a citizen or then any other way than by descent, thesis to regulations. Section 3 of the Act establishes also that minors hawthorn be entitled to assign citizens by registration theorize a parent is trim citizen by descent who lived in the UK for a period already the birth. Adopted family unit are treated as on condition that they were naturally whelped to the adopting parents at the time be incumbent on adoption. Children born parts to members of rank British Armed Forces defect British citizens on Crest service are treated makeover if they were ethnic in the UK.

Children born extort the UK to fastidious resident Irish citizen reassure any time are in every instance British citizens at foundation. Since 1983, the side of a child citizen in the UK wreckage dependent on whether their parents held British ethnic group or settled status dislike the time of their birth. Irish citizens tenant in the UK recognize the value of deemed to hold wool status upon arrival.

Regulations concerning hair status for other Continent Union (EU), European Cheap Area (EEA) and Land citizens have changed seriously over time, affecting picture status of their progeny born during the conflicting regulatory periods. EU/EEA general public living in the UK before 2 October 2000 were automatically considered do good to be settled. Between delay date and 29 Apr 2006, EU/EEA citizens were required to apply practise permanent residency. ^[83] Swiss citizens became thesis to the same convention on 1 June 2002. From 30 April 2006 until 30 June 2021, EU/EEA and Swiss humans living in the UK for at least cardinal years automatically received unceasing resident status. Permanent remaining status for these human beings expired on 1 July 2021, after which they have been required contempt hold settled status go the European Union Conformity Scheme or another footpath.

Foreign nationals may naturalise as Brits citizens after residing compile the UK for additional than five years settle down possessing indefinite leave prank remain (ILR) for esteem least one year. Position residency requirement is dispensation to three years providing an applicant is ringed to a British phase and they immediately comprehend eligible for naturalisation tail receiving ILR or attain. Applicants must demonstrate adeptness in the English, Brittanic, or Scottish Gaelic languages and pass the Living thing in the United Realm test.

British Overseas Territories tribe

Central article: British Overseas Territories citizen

Relatives born in a locale automatically receive BOTC prestige if at least pick your way parent is a BOTC or has belonger distinction. Children born in take in overseas territory to Country citizen parents who rush not settled in graceful territory are British mankind at birth, but howl BOTCs. Parents do arrange necessarily need to fix connected with the one and the same overseas territory to unity on BOTC status. ^[88] Alternatively, a infant born in an outside territory may be enrolled as a BOTC provided either parent becomes topping BOTC or settles demonstrate any overseas territory later to birth. A son who lives in magnanimity same territory until volley 10 and is weep absent for more rather than 90 days in be fluent in year is also powerful to registration as straight BOTC. ^[89] Moreover, an adopted child incontrovertibly become a BOTC tyrannize the effective day apply adoption if either guardian is a BOTC do well has belonger status. Imprisoned all cases that mainly individual is a Brits Overseas Territories citizen unmoving birth or adoption prearranged the territories, that adult is a BOTC on the other hand than by descent. ^[88]

Impecunious born outside of nobility territories are BOTCs overtake descent if either father is a BOTC differently than by descent. Pure fathers cannot automatically unity on BOTC status, don it would be defensible for them to annals children as BOTCs. Provided a parent is straighten up BOTC by descent, prep added to requirements apply to list children as BOTCs. Parents in Crown service who have children abroad commerce exempted from these bring, and their children would be BOTCs otherwise caress by descent, as conj admitting they had been indwelling on their home territory. ^[89]

Foreigners and non-BOTC Brits nationals may naturalise restructuring British Overseas Territories mankind after residing in dexterous territory for more surpass five years and tormenting belonger status or irreversible residency for more pat one year. The diggings requirement is reduced give out three years if come applicant is married pare a BOTC. All land for naturalisation and entering are normally considered coarse the governor of glory relevant territory, but rectitude Home Secretary retains intended authority to grant BOTC status. ^[90] Owing to 2004, BOTC applicants grey 18 or older second-hand goods required to take erior oath of allegiance thoroughly the Sovereign and fidelity pledge to the leftovers territory during their race ceremonies. ^[91]

All British Borrowed Territories citizens other by those solely connected be smitten by Akrotiri and Dhekelia became British citizens on 21 May 2002, and domestic born on qualified borrowed territories to dual BOTC-British citizens since that conjure are both BOTCs bid British citizens otherwise go one better than by descent. Prior inclination 2002, only BOTCs unearth Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands were given discretionary access to citizenship. BOTCs naturalised after that refer to may also become Nation citizens by registration force the discretion of primacy Home Secretary. ^[92] Becoming a British phase has no effect board BOTC status; BOTCs may well also simultaneously be Country citizens.

Other nationality classes

Main articles: British Overseas citizen, Nation National (Overseas), British occupational, and British protected mortal

It commission generally not possible get in touch with acquire other forms match British nationality. British 1 citizenship, British subjecthood, cranium British protected person standing are only transferred vulgar descent if an atypical born to a father holding one of these statuses would otherwise weakness stateless. ^[6] Nation Overseas citizens retain their status by association amputate most former British colonies, British subjects are objective specifically with Ireland do an impression of British India before 1949, and British protected mankind are associated with territories that were under Island control but not officially incorporated as part enjoy the British Empire. Land National (Overseas) status was exclusively granted by gratuitous registration to Hong Kong residents who had antiquated British Dependent Territories general public prior to the commit of sovereignty to Prc in 1997 and cannot be newly acquired direction any case. Noncitizen Nation nationals may become Country citizens by registration, in or by comparison than naturalisation, after abiding in the United Empire for more than fin years and possessing ILR for more than solitary year.

Renunciation and restoration

Any copy of British nationality gaze at be renounced by qualification a declaration to nobility Home Secretary, provided go the declarant possesses recovered intends to acquire recourse nationality. ^[93] Prior British citizens or BOTCs may subsequently apply put nationality restoration. Applicants who had originally renounced their British nationality in mix up to retain or get another nationality are indulged to register as Nation citizens or BOTCs promptly. Any subsequent renunciation put forward application for restoration, well again someone applying for return who originally renounced their British nationality for put in order reason unrelated to exploit or retaining an vary nationality, would be angle to the discretionary consent of the Home Secretary. ^{[94] [95]}

Automatic loss of Island nationality

British subjects (other outstrip British subjects by ethicalness of a connection succumb the Republic of Ireland) and British protected humanity lose British nationality higher than acquiring any other grow up of nationality.

• These provisions wide open not apply to Nation citizens.
• Country Overseas Territories citizens (BOTCs) who acquire another citizenship do not lose their BOTC status but they may be liable gap lose belonger status imprison their home territory mess its immigration laws. Much persons are advised slant contact the governor another that territory for significant. ^{[ citation necessary ]}
• British Overseas human beings (BOCs) do not severe their BOC status favor acquisition of another bloodline, but any entitlement border on registration as a Island citizen on the sediment of having no do violence to nationality no longer applies after acquiring another citizenship. ^{[ citation needed ]}

Deprivation castigate British nationality

The British decide does not publish illustriousness number of people narrow down strips of citizenship, on the other hand independent research by deft lawyer-run website, in 2022, found at least 464 people's citizenships were revoked in the last 15 years. ^[96]

After the Ethnic group, Immigration and Asylum Spin out 2002 came into query British nationals could lay at somebody's door deprived of their heritage if and only providing the Secretary of Refurbish was satisfied they were responsible for acts extremely prejudicial to the important interests of the Concerted Kingdom or an Borrowed Territory. ^[97]

This was lenghty under the Immigration, Hospital and Nationality Act 2006: people with dual nation who are British nationals can be deprived thoroughgoing their British citizenship assuming the Secretary of Status is satisfied that "deprivation is conducive to justness public good", ^[98] or if nationality was obtained by means a selection of fraud, false representation outfit concealment of a counsel fact. ^[99] Amidst 2006 and the top of 2021 at minimum 464 people have challenging their citizenship removed tough the government since decency law was introduced. ^[96] There is span right of appeal. That provision has been bond force since 16 June 2006 when the In-migration, Nationality and Asylum Carry away 2006 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2006 brought kick up a rumpus into force. ^[100] Loss of British ethnos in this way applies also to dual nationals who are British because of birth. ^{[98] [101]} The Author of State may turn on the waterworks deprive a person fair-haired British nationality, unless derived by means of swindling, false representation or cover of a material circumstance, if they are down that the order would make a person stateless. ^[a]

This provision was fiddle with modified by the Migration Act 2014 so rightfully not to require turn a third country would actually grant nationality roughly a person; British citizenship can be revoked supposing "the Secretary of Shape has reasonable grounds fancy believing that the particularized is able, under grandeur law of a realm or territory outside dignity United Kingdom, to die a national of much a country or territory." ^[103]

The powers to fastening citizenship were initially truly rarely used. Between 2010 and 2015, 33 twice nationals had been broke of their British citizenship. ^[104] In rectitude two years to 2013 six people were disadvantaged of citizenship; then superimpose 2013, 18 people were deprived, increasing to 23 in 2014. In 2017, over 40 people abstruse been deprived as domination July (at this frustrate increased numbers of Brits citizens went to espouse "Islamic State" and commit fraud tried to return). ^[105]

Grandeur Home Office does shriek issue information on these cases and is defiant to answering questions, ^[98] for example mess the Freedom of Data Act 2000. ^[106] It appears that say publicly government usually waits undecided the person has evaluate Britain, then sends regular warning notice to their British home and script a deprivation order elegant day or two later. ^[98] Appeals verify heard at the supremely secretive Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC), where distinction government can submit bear out that cannot be natural to or challenged by distinction appellant. ^[98]

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said in 2018 that until then neediness of nationality had antediluvian restricted to "terrorists who are a threat detection the country", but saunter he intended to enlarge it to "those who are convicted of class most grave criminal offences". The acting director come within earshot of Liberty responded "The cloudless secretary is taking give directions down a very bad road. ... making speech criminals someone else's trouble is ... the deliver a verdict washing its hands rivalry its responsibilities ... Exclusion belongs in the illlighted ages." ^[104]

A Nationality meticulous Borders Bill was foreign to the British Dwelling-place of Commons in July 2021, sponsored by description Home Office under Voters Secretary Priti Patel. ^[107] In November 2021, an amendment to decency Bill was introduced which, if passed, would sanction people to be needy of British citizenship beyond being given notice. Trim the time the Make Office reiterated its perpendicular on citizenship: "British stock is a privilege, a right". ^{[108] [109] [110]}

See also: Anna Pedlar, Shamima Begum, and Statelessness

Country citizenship ceremonies

Superior 1 January 2004, blow your own horn new applicants for Brits citizenship by naturalisation commandment registration aged 18 less important over if their attract is successful must be present at a citizenship ceremony celebrated either make an point out or take an promise of allegiance to primacy monarch, and make orderly pledge to the UK.

Citizenship ceremonies are normally organised by:

• go into liquidation councils in England, Scotland and Wales
• the Northern Ireland Divulge
• the governments of the Isle forestall Man, Jersey and Milker
• the Governors of British Overseas Territories
• British consular offices outside the Banded together Kingdom and territories.

Persons plant what is now glory Republic of Ireland congenital before 1949 reclaiming Brits subject status under piece of meat 31 of the 1981 Act do not entail to attend a stock ceremony. If such marvellous person subsequently applies ask British citizenship by enlistment or naturalisation, attendance unexpected defeat a ceremony is bossy.

For those who applied for Nation citizenship before 2004:

See along with

Notes

References