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The last stage of your immigration process to the UK is to become a citizen. You will have the same rights and obligations as other British citizens as soon as you become a citizen of the UK. The ability to apply for a British passport is the main benefit.
You must have lived in the UK for a specific amount of time in order to get UK citizenship. Depending on your existing immigration status, a certain time frame may apply. Additionally, you must fulfil certain KoLL criteria, which include demonstrating your proficiency in the English language and passing the Life in the UK exam.
Ways to become a British citizen
There are several ways to obtain British citizenship:
- Naturalization: For adult candidates who weren’t born in the UK
- Registration: This path is open exclusively to certain candidates with a variety of British nationalities or ties to the UK.
- By birth in the UK: provided that at least one of the applicant’s parents was a citizen of the country or a permanent resident at the time of the birth.
- By birth abroad: If a kid was born outside the UK to British parents, they will not be immediately regarded as a British citizen. Before the kid turns 18, the parents must submit the MN1 application form in order for the child to become a citizen of the United Kingdom.
- By adoption: if the adoption order is granted before the kid is 18 and by a court in the UK
Application of British citizenship by Registration- requirements
For British citizens living abroad, protected individuals, or subjects, UK citizenship by registration is often available (such as children born to qualified UK nationals). Application materials must include:
- Evidence of their eligibility for registration and of their close links to the UK
- Evidence of no more than 450 days of absence over at least five years of valid residency
- Complete disclosure of their criminal history would demonstrate their excellent character.
The KoLL (Knowledge of English and Life in the UK) qualifications do not apply since the British registration option is only open to candidates with significant links to the UK.
What qualifies as “good character” for British Citizenship?
Every candidate who wants to become a citizen of the United Kingdom must demonstrate their moral character. They must, in other words, prove that they have always respected the UK by abiding by its laws and taking care of their resident responsibilities.
The Home Office will scrutinize many aspects of your past, including your immigration history, financial “soundness,” and criminality, to assess your eligibility. According to the UKVI’s guidelines, candidates who have served more than four years in a correctional setting will not be regarded as having excellent moral character, and their application will thus be denied.
Your application for naturalization or registration will be denied if you fail to submit to UK authorities your whole criminal background and pertinent documents.
How long may I remain abroad while applying for British citizenship?
You must fulfill the requirements for continuous residence in the UK and have not spent a considerable amount of time abroad previous to making your application in order to be eligible to apply for British citizenship.
You must make sure that in the five years before applying for citizenship, you did not spend more than 450 days abroad. Additionally, you cannot have been away for more than 90 days in the previous 12 months.
It is also crucial that during your qualifying time, you did not violate any UK immigration laws, such as by residing in the country without a visa or established status.
What kind of identification is necessary to submit an application for British citizenship?
To become a citizen of the UK, you must complete a lot of paperwork. An application must be accompanied by the following documentation:
- Your valid ID card and passport or other travel permission (if applicable)
- You must present proof of your indefinite licence to remain in the country.
- Evidence of your English language ability
- Certificate of passing the Your Life in the UK test
- Your civil partnership or marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Pay Stubs from the previous six years, P60s from the last six years, or five years if you were married to a British citizen (if P60s do not cover the whole period)
- Candidates who are self-employed must provide self-assessment statements for each of the previous six/five years.
What benefits come with acquiring British citizenship?
Being a citizen of the UK has a number of benefits. One of the most significant benefits is the peace of mind that comes with knowing that, regardless of future government actions, you have the same right to remain in the UK as someone who was born here.
Other advantages are:
- You are free to come into and go out of the UK whenever you like.
- All municipal and general elections are open to your full participation, including casting a ballot.
- Allstate benefits, including healthcare, will be available to you.
Contact A Y & J Solicitors for assistance
The day they are eligible to apply for British citizenship is the conclusion of years of planning and arduous effort for many individuals who have immigrated to the UK and created lives for themselves. Being denied citizenship after putting so much effort into the process can be upsetting. To increase your chances of success, you must submit a quality naturalization application. At A Y & J Solicitors, we can assist you in assembling a compelling application and gathering the required documentation. Our skilled immigration attorneys have actively helped a large number of clients establish themselves in the UK. If you need further information, please contact us.
