British citizenship & naturalization

British citizenship & naturalization

Sequel to having a permanent residency status, an applicant may be eligible to apply for British Citizenship. The advantages of having a British passport are limitless. It is the last destination of every immigrants in the UK.

British Citizenship for non-British can be achieved in two ways. Whichever way you qualify, your original passport and Biometric card would not be required to be submitted to the Home Office as we will certify them thereby allowing you to travel when the application is being considered.

Naturalisation: The standard requirement includes 5 years of residency in the UK and 12 months wait after obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). For spouses and civil partners of UK citizens they only need to have spent 3 years in the UK (not 5 years) and be in possession of ILR. There is no need to wait for 12 months after ILR. Absence and Knowledge of life in the UK are also requirements that must be met by an applicant. There are other rules on absences and criminal offenses, etc.

For European Nationals, the general rules apply (5 years of residency and 12 months wait after achieving permanent residency, Knowledge of life in the UK, Criminality, absences etc). EU/EEA citizen usually do not have ‘visa stamps or Biometric cards’ as those are not compulsory. However, from 12 November 2015, they are now required to make a formal application for permanent residency first (a separate application) before they can apply for British Citizenship.

Registration: An applicant could be eligible for British Citizenship on other grounds apart from residency or work in the UK. For instance, where an applicant parent(s) is a British Citizen, but the applicant was born abroad or where the applicant parents lived in the UK in the past or where a child was born in the UK and has lived in the UK for a continuous period of 10 years.

Our Immigration Lawyers have experience in dealing with complex British Citizenship applications. Contact us on 07429429892, 02038563516 or info@dmlawpractice.com.