Naturalisation, Citizenship and Rights of Abode 

 

Foreign nationals can apply to become British citizens by one of two methods: Registration or Naturalisation.

Registration is only applicable to children under the age of 18 born overseas from parents that are British or children born in the UK to non-British Citizen Parents who were at the time in possession of Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK.

Naturalisation is process under which foreign nationals can apply to become British citizens. 

There is a wide range of legal material and implications regarding the Naturalisation, which is why it is essential to seek legal advice prior to making an application. Naturalisation can be obtained on the following basis: 

• Marriage to a person who has Indefinite Leave to Remain or a UK citizen;

• Right of abode

• Via such immigration routes as work permit, business, investment, student and after 5 years EEA residence requirements

 

To be eligible for Naturalisation you must:  

• have indefinite leave to remain in the UK
• be 18 years or above
• be of good character and of sound mind
• be competent to communicate in English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic
• have passed a test confirming your knowledge of life in the UK, and

• intend to live in the UK permanently

 

Right of Abode 

 

All British Citizens have the Right of Abode in the UK and if you are not a British citizen, you may still have the right of abode if, on 31 December 1982, you were:

 

A Commonwealth citizen with a parent who, at the time of your birth or legal adoption, was a citizen of the UK and Colonies because he/she was born in the UK; or

A female Commonwealth citizen who was, or had been, married to a man who had the right of abode. You must have been married to him before 1 January 1983.

 

If you wish to claim the right of abode, you must prove it by producing:

•  a UK passport or identity card describing you as a British citizen or a British subject with the right of abode; or

•  A certificate of entitlement to the right of abode in the United Kingdom that has been issued by the Government of the UK or on its behalf

 

The right of abode certificate proves your right to live and work in the UK without any immigration restrictions and is issued where you do not have a way of proving that right by means of a UK Passport or Identity Card showing you are a British Citizen.

 

The Services We Provide

 

Our solicitors will assist you with all legal issues arising from your decision to either naturalise or register as a British Citizen. As this is a vast area of nationality law with complex legislation regulating it, it is essential that you seek legal advice prior to making the application.