Immigration | What are the ways to apply for British citizenship?

Dear Mr. Bassie,

I would like to know what the ways are to apply for British citizenship. I am thankful for any information that you can provide pertaining to this.

Y.V.

Dear Y.V.,

There are different ways to apply for British citizenship (or ‘naturalisation’). This will be based on the circumstances of the individual. Those persons who are eligible in more than one way may choose which way to apply.

Persons who have applied for citizenship will need permission to stay in the UK until they are granted citizenship. Please note that any permission granted will need to last until the person has had their citizenship ceremony.

Those persons who have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme should note that this counts as permission to stay.

Please be aware that the deadline to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme for most persons was June 30, 2021. Those persons who did not apply to the EU Settlement Scheme by the deadline may still be able to apply. It should also be noted that applicants may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

If born in the UK

Persons should be aware that they do not automatically get British citizenship if they were born in the UK. This will depend on when they were born and their parents’ circumstances. Persons should check to see if they are a British citizen. Persons may be eligible to apply for citizenship if they were born in the UK and are not automatically a British citizen.

If married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen

To apply as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen, persons must have lived in the UK for the last three years.

They will also need to have either:

• indefinite leave to remain (ILR); or

• settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Those individuals who do will be eligible to apply for citizenship immediately.

Persons may usually apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after they have lived in the UK for five years. It should be noted that to apply for citizenship with ILR, persons must usually have lived in the UK for 12 months after getting it.

All the best

John S. Bassie

John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a Justice of the Peace, a Supreme Court Appointed Mediator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a Chartered Arbitrator, The Past Global President of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (U.K.). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com