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British Citizenship

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Applying for British Citizenship:

There are various pathways to apply for British citizenship (also known as ‘naturalisation’), depending on your specific situation.

If you qualify through multiple routes, you can decide which option suits you best.

Once you’ve submitted your citizenship application, you must hold valid permission to remain in the UK until you are officially granted citizenship and have attended your citizenship ceremony.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled/pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme serves as valid permission to stay.

The application deadline for the EU Settlement Scheme was 30 June 2021 for most individuals. However, if you missed the deadline, you might still be eligible to apply under certain circumstances.

Eligibility for British Citizenship

If You Were Born in the UK

Being born in the UK does not automatically make you a British citizen. Your citizenship status depends on when you were born and your parents’ circumstances. You should verify whether you are a British citizen.

If you were born in the UK but are not automatically a British citizen, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship.

Applying as the Spouse or Civil Partner of a British Citizen

If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you can apply for citizenship if:

1. You have lived in the UK for the past 3 years, and
2. You hold one of the following:
     ○ Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), or
    ○ Settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

If you meet the above, you can apply for citizenship without delay.

Applying with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

● You can usually apply for ILR after living in the UK for 5 years.
● Once you have ILR, you must typically reside in the UK for 12 months before you can apply for citizenship.

Applying with Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme

● If you have settled status, you must usually reside in the UK for 12 months after obtaining it to qualify for citizenship.

If you have not yet applied for the EU Settlement Scheme, you may still apply for settled status and then use this as the basis to apply for British citizenship.

The deadline for most people to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme was 30 June 2021, but you may still be eligible if you can demonstrate reasonable grounds for missing the deadline.

Other Routes to British Citizenship

You might qualify for citizenship through other circumstances, such as:

● Having a British parent.
● Holding a different type of British nationality.
● Having a parent with British overseas territories citizenship.
● Being stateless.
● Previously renouncing your citizenship.
● Meeting other special or unique circumstances.
● Being a direct descendant of a Chagossian (someone born in British Indian Ocean Territory).

How Our Immigration Advisors Are Able To Help

Should you be interested in applying for a British Citizenship, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us through dialling +44 (0)20 7253 6888 or emailing info@ukvisapartners.com. We always endeavour to provide our clients with the highest standard of service.