British Nationality & Citizenship
Living in the United Kingdom and being British citizen is different both in rights, privileges and responsibilities. If you are settled in UK with permanent rights to live in UK, you can apply for naturalisation or registration as a British citizen. There are different forms of nationality:
- British Citizenship
- British Overseas Citizenship
- British Overseas Territories Citizenship
- British National Overseas
- British Protected Person
- British Subject
There are seven requirements to meet before applying for British nationality.
- You must be aged 18 or over.
- You must be of sound mind.
- You must intend to continue living in the UK, or to continue in CROWN SERVICE, the service of an international organisation of which the UK is a member, or the service of a company or association established in the UK.
- You must be able to communicate in English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic to an acceptable degree.
- You must have sufficient knowledge of life in the UK and English language.
- You must be of good character. If you have criminal convictions it can delay your application to become British citizen.
- You must be present in UK for 5 years and free from Immigration time restriction during the last 12 months.
- You were not in breach of UK immigration rules during last 10 years.
- You are not subject to mandatory refusal
Once your application will be accepted you need to participate in oath ceremony to become a British citizen. For children below 16 there is no requirement for oath of allegiance.