Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom

British nationality law is the law of the United Kingdom that concerns citizenship and other categories of British nationality. The law is complex because of the United Kingdom's former status as an imperial power.

History[link]

English law and Scots law have always distinguished between the Monarch's subjects and aliens. Until 1914 British nationality law was uncodified. The British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act 1914 codified existing common law and statute, with a few minor changes.

British & Commonwealth citizenship
Commonwealth nationality laws
British (history) Australian Bangladeshi Barbadian Canadian (history) Cypriot Ghanaian Indian Malaysian Pakistani Maltese New Zealand Samoan Singaporean South African Tongan Irish citizens in the UK
Classes of citizens and subjects
British Citizen British Subject British Overseas Territories Citizen British Overseas Citizen British National (Overseas) British Protected Person Commonwealth citizen
Rights and visas
Right of abode in the UK Indefinite leave to remain in the UK Permanent resident (Australia) Permanent resident (Canada) Permanent resident (New Zealand) Belonger status UK Ancestry Entry Clearance
Acts
Ireland Act 1949 British Nationality Act 1981 British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983 British Overseas Territories Act 2002 Canadian Citizenship Act 1946
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With the development of the modern British Commonwealth of Nations in the 20th century, some deemed the single Imperial status of British subject as increasingly inadequate to deal with the realities of a Commonwealth with independent member states. In 1948, the Commonwealth Heads of Government agreed that each member would adopt a national citizenship, but that the existing status of the British subject would continue as a common status held by all Commonwealth citizens.

The British Nationality Act 1948 established the status of Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKC), the national citizenship of the United Kingdom and those places that were still British colonies on 1 January 1949, when the 1948 Act came into force. However, until the early 1960s there was little difference, if any, in United Kingdom law between the rights of CUKCs and other British subjects, all of whom had the right at any time to enter and live in the United Kingdom.

Independence Acts passed when the various remaining colonies were granted independence also contained nationality provisions. In general, these provisions withdrew the status of CUKC from anyone who became citizens of the newly independent country, unless one had a connection with the UK or a remaining colony (e.g. through birth in the UK). Exceptions were sometimes made in cases where the colonies did not become independent. (Notable cases include Penang and Malacca, which were made part of the Federation of Malaya and Hong Kong, which became part of the People's Republic of China. CUKC status was not withdrawn from CUKCs from Penang and Malacca, and a new British nationality status was created for Hong Kong.)

Between 1962 and 1971, as a result of fears about increasing immigration by Commonwealth citizens from Asia and Africa, the United Kingdom gradually tightened controls on immigration by British subjects from other parts of the Commonwealth. The Immigration Act 1971 introduced the concept of patriality, by which only British subjects with sufficiently strong links to the British Islands (i.e. the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) had right of abode, the right to live and work in the United Kingdom and Islands.

Although there have been several amendments to the 1971 Act in the intervening years, the principal British nationality law today is the British Nationality Act 1981, which established the current system of multiple categories of British nationality, viz. British citizens, British Overseas Territories citizens, British Overseas citizens, British Nationals (Overseas), British subjects and British protected persons. Only British citizenship and certain commonwealth citizens have the automatic right of abode in the United Kingdom.

The 1981 Act also ceased to recognise Commonwealth citizens as British subjects. There remain only two categories of people who are still British subjects: some people (formerly known as British subjects without citizenship) who originally acquired British nationality through a connection with former British India, and also a number of people connected with the Republic of Ireland before 1949 who have made a declaration to retain British nationality. Those British subjects connected with former British India lose British nationality if they acquire any other.

In spite of the fact that BNA 1981 repealed most of the provisions of BNA 1948 and the nationality clauses in subsequent independence acts, the acquisition of new categories of British nationality created by BNA 1981 was often dependent on one's nationality status prior to 1 Jan 1983, the date BNA 1981 came into effect. This therefore means that many of the original provisions of BNA 1948 and subsequent independence acts are still relevant today. Not taking into account of this subtlety might lead one to the erroneous conclusion, for example, that BNA 1981's repeal of the nationality clauses in the Kenya Independence Act of 1963 restored British nationality to those who lost their CUKC status as a result of Kenya's independence in 1963. This is one of the reasons for the complexity of British nationality law; in complicated cases, determining one's British nationality status or lack thereof requires an examination of several nationality acts in their original form.

Classes of British nationality[link]

There are currently six classes of British national:^[1]

British citizens

British Citizens usually hold this status through a connection with the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man ("United Kingdom and Islands"). Former Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKCs) who possessed right of abode under the Immigration Act 1971 through a connection with the United Kingdom and Islands generally became British citizens on 1 January 1983.

British citizenship is the most common type of British nationality, and the only one that automatically carries a right of abode in the United Kingdom.

However, other rights can vary according to how the British citizenship was acquired. In particular there are restrictions for 'British citizens by descent' transmitting British citizenship to their children born outside the UK. These restrictions do not apply to 'British citizens other than by descent'.

British Overseas Territories citizens (formerly British Dependent Territories citizenship) (BOTC)

BOTC (formerly BDTC) is the form of British nationality held by connection with an existing overseas territory. Nearly all are now also British citizens as a result of the British Overseas Territories Act 2002. It is possible to hold BOTC and British citizenship simultaneously.

British Overseas citizens (BOC)

BOCs are those former CUKCs who did not qualify for either British citizenship or British Dependent Territories citizenship. Most of these derived their status as CUKCs from former colonies, such as Malaysia and Kenya, because of various quirks and exceptions in the law that resulted in them retaining CUKC status in spite of the independence of their colonies. Note that this is fairly uncommon: most CUKCs (including those from Malaysia and Kenya) lost their CUKC status upon independence.

British subjects

British subjects (as defined in the 1981 Act) are those British subjects who were not CUKCs or citizens of any other Commonwealth country. Most of these derived their status as British subjects from British India or the Republic of Ireland as they existed before 1949.

British Nationals (Overseas) (BNO)

The status of BNO did not originally exist under the 1981 scheme, but was created by the Hong Kong Act 1985 and the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Order 1986. BNOs are those former Hong Kong BDTCs who applied for the status of BNO before the handover of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China. Hong Kong BDTCs who did not apply to become BNOs, and who did not gain PRC nationality after the handover, became BOCs if they did not have any other nationality.

British protected persons (BPP)

BPPs derive from parts of the British Empire that were protectorates or protected states with nominally independent rulers under the "protection" of the British Crown – and not officially part of the Crown's dominions. The status of BPP is sui generis – BPPs are not Commonwealth citizens (British subjects, in the old sense) and were not traditionally considered British nationals, but are not aliens either.

Of the various classes of British nationality and BPP status, all except British citizenship and British Overseas Territories citizenship are residual categories. This means they become extinct with the passage of time, as they can only be passed down to the national's children in exceptional circumstances, e.g., if the child would otherwise be stateless. There is, consequently, little provision for the acquisition of these classes of nationality by people who do not already have them.

Of all the six classes of British nationality, only the status of British citizen carries with it the right of abode somewhere (in this case the UK), and all British passports include a note to this effect. However, in practice, BOTCs (except those associated with the Sovereign bases in Cyprus) were granted full British citizenship in 2002, BN(O)s have right of abode in Hong Kong, BSs and BPPs lose their statuses upon acquisition of another nationality (except BSs connected the Republic of Ireland, who have the right to live and work in the UK anyway because of EU treaties) and so should be eligible for registration as British Citizens under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002.

This makes British Overseas Citizens unique in that their nationality status is not associated with the right of residence anywhere in the world.

Acquisition of British citizenship[link]

British Citizenship can be acquired in the following ways:

1. lex soli: By birth in the United Kingdom to a parent who is a British citizen at the time of the birth, or to a parent who is settled in the United Kingdom
2. lex sanguinis: By birth abroad, which constitutes "by descent" if one of the parents is a British citizen otherwise than by descent (for example by birth, adoption, registration or naturalisation in the United Kingdom). British citizenship by descent is only transferable to one generation down from the parent who is a British citizen otherwise than by descent, if the child is born abroad.
3. By naturalisation
4. By registration
5. By adoption

For nationality purposes, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man are generally treated as if they were part of the United Kingdom^{[citation needed]}.

Leaflets and advice that describe how British citizenship and other kinds of British nationality can be held, applied for, or renounced are available from the Home Office UK Border Agency (formerly known as Border and Immigration Agency or BIA).^[2] Information is also available from the Home Office on provisions for reducing statelessness.^[3]

Persons acquiring citizenship by method (2) are called citizens by descent, while citizens acquiring citizenship by methods (1), (3) or (5) are called citizens otherwise than by descent. British citizens by registration, method (4), may be either, depending on the circumstances. Only citizens otherwise than by descent can pass on their citizenship to their children born outside the UK automatically; citizens by descent can only pass on citizenship to their non-UK born children by meeting certain UK residence requirments and registering them, before the age of 18.

British citizenship by birth in the United Kingdom[link]

Under the law in effect from 1 January 1983, a child born in the UK to a parent who is a British citizen or 'settled' in the UK is automatically a British citizen by birth.

• Only one parent needs to meet this requirement, either the father or the mother.
• "Settled" status in this context usually means the parent is resident in the United Kingdom and has the right of abode, holds Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), or is the citizen of an EU/EEA country and has permanent residence. Irish citizens in the UK are also deemed settled for this purpose.
• Special rules exist for cases where a parent of a child is a citizen of a European Union or European Economic Area member state, or Switzerland. The law in this respect was changed on 2 October 2000 and again on 30 April 2006. See below for details.
• For children born before 1 July 2006, if only the father meets this requirement, the parents must be married. Marriage subsequent to the birth is normally enough to confer British citizenship from that point.
• Where the father is not married to the mother, the Home Office usually registers the child as British provided an application is made and the child would have been British otherwise. The child must be under 18 on the date of application.
• Where a parent subsequently acquires British citizenship or "settled" status, the child can be registered as British provided he or she is still aged under 18.
• If the child lives in the UK until age 10 there is a lifetime entitlement to register as a British citizen. The immigration status of the child and his/her parents is irrelevant.
• Special provisions may apply for the child to acquire British citizenship if a parent is a British Overseas citizen or British subject, or if the child is stateless.

Before 1983, birth in the UK was sufficient in itself to confer British nationality irrespective of the status of parents, with an exception only for children of diplomats and enemy aliens. This exception did not apply to most visiting forces, so, in general, children born in the UK before 1983 to visiting military personnel (e.g. US forces stationed in the UK) are British citizens by birth.

British Citizenship by descent[link]

'British Citizenship by descent' is the category for the children born outside the UK to a British citizen. Rules for acquiring British citizenship by descent depend on when the person was born.

From 1983[link]

A child born outside the UK on or after 1 January 1983 automatically acquires British citizenship by descent if either parent is a British citizen other than by descent at the time of the birth.

• Only one parent—father or mother—must be British otherwise than by descent.
• As a general rule, an unmarried father cannot pass on British citizenship automatically in the case of children born before 1 July 2006. However, if the parents marry subsequent to the birth, the child normally becomes a British citizen at that point if legitimated by the marriage and the father was eligible to pass on British citizenship. Further, if the unmarried British father was domiciled in a country that treated (at the date of birth of the child born before 1 July 2006) a child born to unmarried parents in the same way as a child born to married parents, then the father passed on British citizenship automatically to his child, even though the child was born before 1 July 2006 to unmarried parents.^[4] Such countries are listed in UK Immigration and Passport Services publication "Legitimation and Domicile".^[5] Failing that, the child can be registered as British if it would have been British if parents were married and application is made before the child is 18.
• Where the parent is a British citizen by descent additional requirements apply. In the most common scenario, the parent is normally expected to have lived in the UK for three consecutive years and apply to register the child as a British citizen while the child is a minor (clause 43, Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009, effective from 13 January 2010). Prior to this date, the age limit was 12 months.
• For British nationality purposes, the Isle of Man and Channel Islands are treated as though they were part of the UK.
• Before 21 May 2002, British Overseas Territories were treated as 'overseas' for nationality purposes. The exceptions were Gibraltar who were British citizens per the British Nationality Act 1981; and the Falkland Islands who were granted British citizenship following the Falklands War per the British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983 . For children born on or after 21 May 2002 in a British Overseas Territory (other than the Sovereign Base Areas of Cyprus) there is an entitlement to British citizenship on the same basis as UK-born children.
• Children born overseas to parents on Crown Service are normally granted British citizenship otherwise than by descent. In other words, their status is the same as it would have been had they been born in the UK.
• In exceptional cases, the Home Secretary may register a child of parents who are British by descent as a British citizen under discretionary provisions, for example if the child is stateless.

Before 1983[link]

Before 1983, as a general rule British nationality could only be transmitted from the father through one generation only, and parents were required to be married. (See History of British nationality law.)

With effect from 20 July 2009, the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 provides that a person born outside the UK to a British mother may be entitled to register as a British citizen by descent if that person was born before 1 January 1983.^[6] Before the 2009 changes, only persons born after 7 February 1961 and before 1 January 1983 were eligible for this provision that came into force in April 2003. However those with permanent resident status in the UK, or who are entitled to the right of abode, may prefer naturalisation as a British citizen, which gives transmissible British citizenship otherwise than by descent. Requirements for successful registration with form UKM are that the applicant be a child of a British mother born before 1983 and be of good character and attend a citizenship ceremony. As of 22 Nov 2010, there is no longer an application fee (of £540). Applicants do however still have to pay £80 for the citizenship ceremony.

Children born abroad to British mothers before 1983[link]

At present there are two entirely different paths through which children of British mothers and children of British fathers born abroad before 1983 can acquire a passport. The differences also have a bearing on costs. Children of British mothers born before 1983 may require a nationality registration fee, which (as of 22 Nov 2010) is free (although they must pay £80 for a citizenship ceremony). They also must undergo a background check into their eligibility and be of "good character" and attend the citizenship ceremony.^[7]

Children born abroad after 1982 to British mothers or to British fathers before or after 1983[link]

Those born abroad to a British father before or after 1983 or born after 1982 to a British mother need not pay any nationality registration fees, undergo a good character check, or attend a civil ceremony as they are considered automatically British and can apply for a passport directly through the Identity and Passport Services (IPS).^[8] Again, this only applies if your parents have been married or marry.

This difference in application for a passport and also nationality has been criticised by the National Council for Civil Liberties on the basis of alleged discrimination on the basis of age and gender based on descent through a mother or a father.^[9]

British citizenship by adoption[link]

A child adopted by a British citizen only acquires British citizenship automatically if:

• the adoption order is made by a court in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Falkland Islands on or after 1 January 1983, or in another British Overseas Territory on or after 21 May 2002; or
• it is a Convention adoption under the 1993 Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption effected on or after 1 June 2003 and the adopters are habitually resident in the United Kingdom on that date.

In both cases, at least one adoptive parent must be a British citizen on the date of the adoption.

In all other cases, an application for registration of the child as a British citizen must be made before the child is age 18. Usually this is granted provided the Secretary of State accepts the adoption is bona fide and the child would have been a British citizen if the natural child of the adopters. Usually the adoption must have taken place under the law of a 'designated country' (most developed nations along with some others are 'designated' for this purpose) and be recognised in the UK. This is the standard method for children adopted by British citizens permanently resident overseas to acquire British citizenship.

The cancellation or annulment of an adoption order does not cause loss of British citizenship acquired by that adoption.

British children adopted by non-British nationals do not lose British nationality, even if they acquire a foreign nationality as a result of the adoption.

British citizenship by naturalisation[link]

Naturalisation as a British citizen is at the discretion of the Home Secretary (i.e., in practice, his or her officials). The Home Secretary may grant British citizenship to anyone they "think fit". ^[10] Although the Home Office sets down a number of official requirements for naturalisation, the Home Office may waive any of these, or may conversely refuse citizenship to a person even if they meet all of the requirements. ^[11] However, applications for naturalisation are normally granted if the requirements are met.

The requirements for naturalisation as a British citizen depend on whether or not one is the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen.

For those married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, the applicant must:

• Hold indefinite leave to remain in the UK (or an "equivalent" (for this purpose) such as the right of abode, Irish citizenship, or permanent residency as a citizen or family member of an EU/EEA)
• Have lived legally in the UK for three years
• Be of "good character", as deemed by the Home Office (in practice the Home Office carries out checks with the police and with other Government departments)
• show sufficient knowledge of life in the UK, either by passing the Life in the United Kingdom test or by attending combined English language and citizenship classes. Proof of this must be supplied with one's application for naturalisation. Exemption from this and the language requirement (see below) is normally granted for those aged 65 or over, and may be granted to those aged between 60 and 65. Note that this is required to remain in the country, not just for citizenship, and married partners will be deported if they are unable to pass the test.
• Meet specified English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic language competence standards. Those who pass the Life in the UK test are deemed to meet English language requirements

For those not married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, the requirements are:

• Five years legal residence in the UK
• Indefinite leave to remain or "equivalent" for this purpose (see above) must have been held for 12 months
• the applicant must intend to continue to live in the UK or work overseas for the UK government or a British corporation or association
• the same "good character" standards apply as for those married to British citizens
• the same language and knowledge of life in the UK standards apply as for those married to British citizens

Those applying for British citizenship in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man (where the application is mainly based on residence in the Crown Dependencies rather than the UK) do not have to sit the Life in the UK Test. Instead, in the Isle of Man, there is a Life in the Isle of Man Test, consisting of certain questions taken from the Life in the UK Test syllabus and certain questions taken from a separate syllabus relating to matters specific to the Isle of Man. In due course, it is expected that Regulations will be introduced to that effect in the Channel Islands. The provisions for proving knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic remain unchanged until that date for applicants in the Crown Dependencies. In the rare cases where an applicant is able to apply for naturalisation from outside the United Kingdom, a paper based version of the Life in the UK Test may be available at a British diplomatic mission.^[12]

As of 11 February 2009, wait times for naturalization applications were reportedly significant, taking up to 6 months to complete.^[13] The UK Border Agency stated that this was occurring because of the widespread changes proposed to the UK Immigration Laws likely to take effect in late 2009.^[14]

As of 6 April 2011, the fee for naturalisation (including Citizenship ceremony fee) is £836 for single applications, and £850 for joint application, for husband and wife (or civil partners living together) if applying at the same time.^[15]

Citizens of EEA States and Switzerland[link]

The immigration status for citizens of European Economic Area states and Switzerland has varied since 1983. This is important in terms of eligibility for naturalisation, and whether the UK-born child of such a person is a British citizen.^[16]

Before 2 October 2000[link]

In general, before 2 October 2000, any EEA citizen exercising Treaty rights in the United Kingdom was deemed "settled" in the United Kingdom. Hence a child born to that person in the United Kingdom would normally be a British citizen by birth.

2 October 2000 to 29 April 2006[link]

The Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations^[17] provided that with only a few exceptions, citizens of EU and European Economic Area states are not generally considered "settled" in the UK unless they apply for and obtain permanent residency. This is relevant in terms of eligibility to apply for naturalisation or obtaining British citizenship for UK born children (born on or after 2 October 2000).

30 April 2006 onwards[link]

A further change took place on 30 April 2006 with the coming into force of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006. These provide that citizens of EEA states and Switzerland automatically acquire permanent residence after 5 years resident in the United Kingdom exercising Treaty rights.

Children born in the United Kingdom from this to EEA/Swiss parents are normally British citizens automatically, if at least one parent has been exercising Treaty rights for five years. If the parents have lived in the United Kingdom for less than five years when the child is born, the child may be registered as British under s1(3) of the British Nationality Act once the parents complete five years residence in the United Kingdom.

Children born between 2 October 2000 and 29 April 2006 may be registered as British citizens as soon as one parent has completed 5 years residence exercising Treaty rights in the United Kingdom.

Irish citizens[link]

Irish citizens, because of the Common Travel Area provisions between the UK and Ireland, are exempt from these restrictions and are normally treated as "settled" in the United Kingdom immediately upon taking up residence.^{[citation needed]}

Swiss citizens[link]

From 1 June 2002, citizens of Switzerland are accorded EEA rights in the United Kingdom.

Citizens of Greece, Spain and Portugal[link]

Greek citizens did not acquire full Treaty rights in the United Kingdom until 1 January 1988^{[citation needed]} and citizens of Spain and Portugal did not acquire these rights until 1 January 1992^{[citation needed]}.

Ten year rule[link]

Non-British children with an EEA/Swiss parent may be registered as British once the parent becomes "settled" in the United Kingdom under the terms of the Immigration Regulations dealing with EEA citizens.

A separate entitlement exists for any such UK-born child registered as British if they live in the United Kingdom until age 10, regardless of their or their parent's immigration status.

Registration as a British citizen[link]

Registration is a simpler method of acquiring citizenship than naturalisation, but only certain people are eligible for it.

British nationals (other than British citizens) who have indefinite leave to remain in the UK or right of abode, are eligible for British citizenship by registration after five years' residence in the United Kingdom. This is an entitlement under s4 of the 1981 Act (section 4 registration).

Other cases where persons may be entitled to registration (either as a matter of law or policy) include:

• Children born in the UK where a parent obtains British citizenship or indefinite leave to remain after the child is born
• Children born in the UK who live in the UK until age 10.
• Children born to a British father who is not married to the mother
• British Overseas citizens, British subjects and British protected persons who have no other nationality
• Certain British nationals from Hong Kong who meet the requirements of the Hong Kong (War Wives and Widows) Act 1996 or the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997
• British Nationals (Overseas) who do not hold any other citizenship or nationality before 19 March 2009 (see Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 regarding the extension of Section 4B of the British Nationality Act 1981)
• Persons born outside the UK to a British born or naturalised mother.
• Certain children born outside the UK to a British citizen by descent
• Certain children born in the UK who are stateless
• Persons who acquire British overseas territories citizenship after 21 May 2002 (except those connected solely with the Sovereign Base Areas of Cyprus)
• Children under 18 who are adopted outside the United Kingdom by British citizens
• Former British citizens who renounced British citizenship

Acquisition of British Overseas Territories citizenship[link]

The British Nationality Act 1981 contains provisions for acquisition and loss of British Dependent Territories citizenship (BDTC) (renamed as British Overseas Territories citizenship (BOTC) in 2002) on a broadly similar basis to those for British citizenship. The Home Secretary has delegated his powers to grant BOTC to the Governors of the Overseas Territories. Only in exceptional cases is a person registered or naturalised as a BOTC by the Home Office in the United Kingdom.

On 21 May 2002 any BOTC who did not hold British citizenship (except those from the Sovereign Base Areas) automatically acquired it under the British Overseas Territories Act 2002. Those acquiring BOTC after that date are entitled to register as British citizens under s4A of the 1981 Act.

Acquisition of other categories of British nationality[link]

It is currently unusual for a person to be able to acquire British Overseas citizenship, British National (Overseas), British subject or British protected person status. They are not generally transmissible by descent, and nor are they open to acquisition by registration, except for certain instances to prevent statelessness.

The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 granted British Overseas Citizens, British Subjects and British Protected Persons the right to register as British citizens if they have no other citizenship or nationality and have not after 4 July 2002 renounced, voluntarily relinquished or lost through action or inaction any citizenship or nationality. Previously such persons would have not had the right of abode in any country, and would have thus been de facto stateless. Despite strong resistance from senior officials at the Home Office,^[18] the then Home Secretary, David Blunkett, said on 3 July 2002 that this would "right a historic wrong" that left stateless tens of thousands of Asian people who had worked closely with British colonial administrations.^[19]

Persons connected with former British colonies[link]

British Overseas citizenship is generally held by persons connected with former British colonies and who for some reason did not lose their British Nationality upon the independence of those colonies.

British National (Overseas) and Hong Kong[link]

Most former BDTCs, by virtue of a connection with the former dependent territory of Hong Kong are now either British Nationals (Overseas) (with or without citizenship of the People's Republic of China), British Overseas citizens, or solely citizens of the PRC. (The deadline for registering as a British National (Overseas) passed in 1997.) There is no provision to acquire British National (Overseas) although stateless children born to such persons may be entitled to British Overseas citizenship and can apply to register as British citizens.

In some cases, former BDTCs from Hong Kong have been able to acquire British citizenship (BC status) under special legislation passed in 1990, 1996 and 1997. In other cases, some former Hong Kong BDTCs hold British citizenship as a matter of entitlement or through acquisition under normal rules.

Most of these British nationals (BCs and BN(O)s) aforementioned have been recognized by the People's Republic of China as its citizens before and after the handover of Hong Kong. These PRC citizens of Hong Kong origin have been categorised differently from other PRC nationals from Macau and Mainland China. See the articles HKSAR passport, Home Return Permit and Chinese nationality law.

In February 2006, in response to extensive representations made by Lord Avebury and Tameem Ebrahim,^[20] British authorities announced that six hundred British citizenship applications of ethnic minority children of Indian descent from Hong Kong were wrongly refused.^[21] The applications dated from the period July 1997 onwards. Where applicants in such cases confirm that they still wish to receive British citizenship, the decision is reconsidered on request. No additional fee is required in such cases. A template to request reconsideration is available for those who want a prior application reconsidered.^[22]

Persons born in the Republic of Ireland[link]

Approximately 800,000 persons born before 1949 and connected with the Republic of Ireland remain entitled to claim British subject status under section 31 of the 1981 Act.

Descendants of the Electress Sophia of Hanover[link]

Eligible descendants from the Electress Sophia of Hanover may hold British Overseas citizenship based on their status as British subjects before 1949. Where such a person acquired a right of abode in the UK before 1983, it is possible for British citizenship to have been acquired. See also History of British nationality law and Sophia Naturalization Act 1705

Loss of British nationality[link]

Renunciation and resumption of British nationality[link]

All categories of British nationality can be renounced by a declaration made to the Home Secretary. A person ceases to be a British national on the date the Home Secretary registers the declaration of renunciation. If a declaration is registered in the expectation of acquiring another citizenship, but one is not acquired within six months of the registration, it does not take effect and the person is considered to have remained a British national.

Renunciations made to other authorities are invalid: e.g., a general renunciation made upon taking up U.S. citizenship. The forms must be sent through the UK Border Agency's citizenship renunciation process.^[23]

There are provisions for the resumption of British citizenship or British overseas territories citizenship renounced for the purpose of gaining or retaining another citizenship. This can generally only be done once as a matter of entitlement. Further opportunities to resume British citizenship are discretionary.

British subjects, British Overseas citizens and British Nationals (Overseas) cannot under any circumstances resume their British nationality after renunciation.

Automatic loss of British nationality[link]

British subjects (other than British subjects by virtue of a connection with the Republic of Ireland) and British protected persons lose British nationality upon acquiring any other form of nationality, whether British, Commonwealth or foreign.

• These provisions do not apply to British citizens.
• British Overseas Territories citizens (BOTCs) who acquire another nationality do not lose BOTC status. However they may be liable to lose Belonger status in their home territory under its immigration laws. Such persons are advised to contact the Governor of that territory for information.
• British Overseas citizens (BOC) do not lose BOC upon acquisition of another citizenship. However any entitlement to registration as a British citizen on the grounds of having no other nationality no longer exist after acquiring another citizenship.

Deprivation of British nationality[link]

Under amendments made by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, British nationals can be deprived of their citizenship if the Secretary of State is satisfied "deprivation is conducive to the public good". This provision has been in force since 16 June 2006 when the Immigration, Nationality and Asylum Act 2006 (Commencement No 1) Order 2006 came into force.^[24] This provision only applies to dual nationals, and does not operate to render a person stateless.

Previously, since 2003, under amendments made by the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, British nationals could be deprived of their citizenship if the Secretary of State is satisfied they are responsible for acts seriously prejudicial to the vital interests of the United Kingdom or an Overseas Territory.

British nationals who are naturalised or registered may have their certificates revoked (and hence lose British nationality) if British nationality was obtained by fraud or concealment of a material fact.

Dual nationality and dual citizenship[link]

Since the British Nationality Act of 1948, there is in general no restriction, in United Kingdom law, on a British national being a citizen of another country as well. So, if a British national acquires another nationality, they do not automatically lose British nationality. Similarly, a person does not need to give up any other nationality when they become British, unless their first nationality requires it.

Different rules apply in the cases of British protected persons and certain British subjects. A person who is a British subject other than by connection with the Republic of Ireland loses that status on acquiring any other nationality or citizenship. Similarly, a British protected person is no longer a British protected person on acquiring any other nationality or citizenship. Although British Overseas citizens are not subject to loss of citizenship, British Overseas citizens may lose an entitlement to register as a British citizen under s4B of the 1981 Act if they acquire any other citizenship.

Many other countries, however, do not allow dual nationality (see Multiple citizenship). If a person has British nationality, and is also a national of a country that does not allow dual nationality, the authorities of that country may either regard the person as having lost that nationality or may refuse to recognize the British nationality. British nationals who acquire the nationality of a country that does not allow dual nationality may be required by the other country to renounce British nationality to retain the other citizenship.

Under international law, the Master Nationality Rule states that a State may not give diplomatic protection to one of its nationals in a country where the person also holds citizenship. For example, a person who is both British and American cannot receive diplomatic help from a British Consul in the United States.

A British person who acquired foreign citizenship by naturalisation before 1949 may have lost British nationality at the time. No specific provisions were made in the 1948 legislation for such former British subjects to acquire or otherwise resume British nationality, and hence such a person would not be a British citizen today. However, women who lost British nationality on marriage to a foreign man before 1949 were deemed to have reacquired British subject status immediately before the coming into force of the 1948 act.

British citizenship ceremonies[link]

A British citizenship ceremony in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets

From 1 January 2004, all new applicants for British citizenship by naturalisation or registration aged 18 or over if their application is successful must attend a citizenship ceremony and either make an affirmation or take an oath of allegiance to the monarch, and also make a pledge to the United Kingdom.

Citizenship ceremonies are normally organised by:

• local councils in England, Scotland, and Wales
• the Northern Ireland Office
• the governments of the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey
• the Governors of British Overseas Territories
• British consular offices outside the United Kingdom and territories.

Persons from the Republic of Ireland (born before 1949) reclaiming British subject status under section 31 of the 1981 Act do not need to attend a citizenship ceremony. However, should such a person subsequently apply for British citizenship by registration or naturalisation, attendance at a ceremony is required.

For those who applied for British citizenship before 2004:

• the oath of allegiance was administered privately through signing a witnessed form in front of a solicitor or other accredited person
• those who already held British nationality (other than British protected persons) were exempt, as were those citizens of countries with the Queen as Head of State (such as Australia or Canada).

Citizenship of the European Union[link]

British nationals who are "United Kingdom nationals for European Union purposes" are also citizens of the European Union and thus enjoy rights of free movement and have the right to vote in elections for the European Parliament.

Wikisource has original text related to this article: Declaration by the United Kingdom on 31 December 1982 on the definition of the term “nationals”

British nationals who are "United Kingdom nationals for European Union purposes", namely:

• British citizens;
• British subjects with the right of abode; and
• British Overseas Territories citizens connected to Gibraltar

are European Union citizens under European Union law.

However, by virtue of a special provision in the UK Accession Treaty, British citizens who are connected with the Channel Islands and Isle of Man (i.e. considered "Channel Islanders and Manxmen") do not have the right to live in other European Union countries (except the Republic of Ireland, through the long-established Common Travel Area) unless they have connections through descent or residence in the United Kingdom.

Statistics on British Citizenship: 1998 to 2009[link]

The Home Office Research and Statistics Division publishes an annual report with statistics on grants of British citizenship broken down by type and former nationality. Since 2003, the report has also included research on take-up rates for British citizenship.

See also[link]

• British Nationality Act
• Citizen Information Project
• Immigration to the United Kingdom since 1922
• Sanjay Shah, a British Overseas citizen passport holder, spent thirteen months living in the duty free section of Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta airport, petitioning for full British Citizenship.^[25][26][27]

Notes[link]

External links[link]

• British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983
• Home Office Nationality Instructions (British nationality policy and background notes)
• British Nationality Acts: 1981, 1965, 1964, 1958, 1948, 1772, 1730
• Registration of a Child of an Unmarried British Father as a British Citizen (information from British High Commission, Canberra)
• 1971: UK restricts Commonwealth migrants
• SUBMISSION TO LORD GOLDSMITH FOR THE CITIZENSHIP REVIEW: THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF BRITISH NATIONALITY, Immigration Law Practitioners' Association
• Persons Granted British Citizenship, 2009 (pdf)
• Persons Granted British Citizenship, 2008 (pdf)
• Persons Granted British Citizenship, 2007 (pdf)
• Persons Granted British Citizenship, 2006 (pdf)
• Persons Granted British Citizenship, 2005 (pdf)
• Persons Granted British Citizenship, 2004 (pdf)
• Persons Granted British Citizenship, 2003 (pdf)
• Persons Granted British Citizenship, 2002 (pdf)
• Persons Granted British Citizenship, 2001 (pdf)
• Persons Granted British Citizenship, 2000 (pdf)
• Persons Granted British Citizenship, 1999 (pdf)
• Persons Granted British Citizenship, 1998 (pdf)

Nationality law is the branch of law concerned with the questions of nationality and citizenship, and how these statuses are acquired, transmitted, or lost. By custom, a state has the right to determine who its nationals and citizens are. Such determinations are usually made by custom, statutory law, or case law (precedent), or some combination. In some cases, determinations of nationality are also governed by public international law—for example, by treaties on statelessness and the European Convention on Nationality.

Principles[link]

Broadly speaking, nationality law is based either on jus soli or jus sanguinis, or on a combination of the two. Jus soli (Latin: the law of the soil) is the principle by which a child born within a country's territorial jurisdiction acquires that country's nationality. Jus sanguinis (Latin: the law of the blood) is the principle by which a child acquires the nationality of his or her parents. Today, most if not all countries apply a mixture of these two principles: neither granting citizenship to everyone born within the country's jurisdiction, nor denying citizenship to the children born abroad.

International Treaties[link]

International law generally recognizes the right of states to set their own policy concerning nationality.^[1] Nevertheless, there are a number of international treaties that are relevant to nationality law.^[1]

See also[link]

• Citizenship Act
• Citizenship
• History of citizenship
• Jus soli
• Jus sanguinis
• Dual nationality
• Nationality
• Passport
• Immigration law
• Political asylum
• Human migration

References[link]

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Nationality is membership of a nation or sovereign state, usually determined by their citizenship, but sometimes by ethnicity or place of residence, or based on their sense of national identity.^{[citation needed]}

Citizenship is determined by jus soli, jus sanguinis, or naturalization, which affords the state jurisdiction over the person and affords the person the protection of the state. The word citizenship is often used in a different sense from nationality. The most common distinguishing feature of citizenship is that citizens have the right to participate in the political life of the state, such as by voting or standing for election. The term national can include both citizens and non-citizens.

Nationality can refer to membership in a nation (collective of people sharing a national identity, usually based on ethnic and cultural ties and self-determination) even if that nation has no state, such as the Basques, Kurds, and Tamils. Individuals may also be considered nationals of groups with autonomous status which have ceded some power to a larger government, such as the federally recognized tribes of Native Americans in the United States. Spanish law recognises the autonomous communities of Andalusia, Aragon, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Catalonia, Valencia, Galicia and the Basque Country as "nationalities" (nacionalidades), while in Italy, the German speakers of South Tyrol are considered to be Austrian nationals.

Article 15 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that "Everyone has the right to a nationality," and "No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality." By custom, it is the right of each state to determine who its nationals are. Such determinations are part of nationality law. In some cases, determinations of nationality are also governed by public international law—for example, by treaties on statelessness and the European Convention on Nationality.

See also[link]

• Blood quantum laws
• Demonym
• Imagined communities
• Intersectionality
• jus soli
• jus sanguinis
• Meta-ethnicity
• Nationalism
• Second-class citizen
• List of nationalities