KNOWLEDGE

CENTRE

British Citizenship: The Citizenship Ceremony

If an individual is over 18 and has made a successful application to become a British citizen, they will be required to attend a citizenship ceremony.  The individual is required to attend a ceremony by law.   Background...

UK visa requirements for South African citizens

Many South African citizens have some connection to the UK which may give rise to a basis on which they can apply for a visa to move to the UK.  For example, as a citizen of South Africa, you might have a British...

Excessive Absences in an Application for Naturalisation

The British Nationality Act (BNA 1981) allows individuals to naturalise under either section 6(1) or 6(2) of the Act.  Section 6(2) applies where an individual is married to a British citizen.  An Applicant...

Good Character Requirement in Citizenship Applications

The British Nationality Act (BNA 1981) contains a good character requirement, which applies to certain applications for registration and naturalisation for those over 10 years old at the date of application.   The...

The Status of Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Citizens

British nationality is somewhat unique as there are various different forms of nationality, with fewer rights attached to them than being a ‘British Citizen’. These are a consequence of the UK’s close historical...

Multiple nationality and multiple citizenship (including dual nationality and dual citizenship)

British nationality law permits multiple nationality and multiple citizenship, including dual nationality and dual citizenship. Multiple nationality and multiple citizenship explained A British citizen who acquires...

What is British Citizenship by Double Descent?

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as British citizenship by Double Descent for those born after 01 January 1983.  If you were born outside the UK, and so was your British parent, you are unlikely to be British...

British Citizenship & Naturalisation - How To Apply

If you are at least 18 years old and have been granted indefinite leave to remain, EU settled status, or have acquired a right of permanent residence in the UK under the EEA Regulations, you may be eligible to...

Overseas adoption and British citizenship

The entitlement of adopted children to British citizenship is not a straightforward matter. In some circumstances, adopted children are British citizens automatically from the date of their adoption. In others, the...

Good character - what has changed?

The British Nationality Act 1981 requires any person who is over the age of 10 who wishes to register or naturalise as a British Citizen to be of ‘good character’. This is not defined in the Act, but Home...

Life in the UK Test - What is it and when is it required?

A Life in the UK test is ordinarily required for both ILR and citizenship applications.   The Life in the UK test was introduced in 2005 for citizenship applications and 2007 for ILR applications.  The...

When is a child born in the UK to EU national parents British?

Section 1 of the British Nationality Act 1981 (the “BNA 1981”), titled “Acquisition by birth or adoption”, provides: “(1) A person born in the United Kingdom after commencement, or in a qualifying territory...