British Citizenship

BRITISH CITIZEN WITH THE RIGHT OF ABODE

The British Nationalty Act 1981 came into force on 1 January 1983 and after that date you will have the right of abode in the UK if, immediately prior to that date, any of the following situations apply:

• You were a citizen of the UK and Colonies and acquired your citizenship by being born, adopted, naturalised or registered in the United Kingdom.

• You were a citizen of the UK and Colonies and your parent was at the time of your birth or legal adoption, a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by being born, adopted, naturalised or registered in the United Kingdom.

• You were a citizen of the UK and Colonies and your parent qualified for the right of abode under the above situation.

• You were a citizen of the UK and Colonies at any time prior to 1 January 1983, and had been living in the UK for 5 years or more without a break.

• You were a citizen of the UK and Colonies and were then, or had previously been, the wife of a man with the right of abode in the United Kingdom.

• You were born in the UK after 31 December 1982 and one of your parents was then a British citizen or legally settled in the United Kingdom.

• You were born outside the UK after 31 December 1982 and at the time of your birth one parent was a British citizen other than by descent.

• You were registered or naturalised as a British citizen after 31 December 1982.

COMMONWEALTH CITIZEN WITH THE RIGHT OF ABODE

If you have been a citizen of a Commonwealth country up to 1 January 1983 and, immediately prior to that date you will have a right of abode as a Commonwealth citizen if either of the following situations apply:

• You were a Commonwealth citizen with a parent who, at the time of your birth or leagl adoption, was a citizen of the UK and Colonies and acquired their citizenship by being born in the United Kingdom.
• You were a Commonwealth citizen and are, or were, the wife of a man with the right of abode in the UK.

CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS

• Apply to the Home Office for the issue of your British passport, with documentary evidence.
• There is a new requirement for citizenship, from 1 November 2005, that the applicant must demonstrate knowledge of life in the United Kingdom. This means that the applicant must pass the 'Life in the UK' test.

CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY

• The Home Office invites an applicant to attend a ceremony for all applications received after 31 December 2003, and applicants who are 18 years or over with a successful application.
• The citizenship ceremony is compulsory if you intend to become a British citizen.
• The Home Office Registration Service hosts the ceremony and presents you with your Certificate of Naturalisation.