British citizenship can be applied for via multiple means. One of them is applying for British citizenship by marriage. The citizenship type is quite self-explanatory. As is evident from the name itself, this British citizenship application can be submitted by those who are married to someone who is a British citizen. However, there are a few other factors to keep in mind. There are prerequisites to the application and a specific process needs to be followed.
Today we will check in detail the eligibility, process, and documents required to apply for British citizenship on the basis of marriage.
Who is Eligible for British Citizenship by Marriage?
Being married to a British citizen allows the person to apply for British citizenship as well. However, a few conditions need to be met before doing that. British citizenship by naturalization can be applied for by those who satisfy the following criteria:
Without marriage, this waiting period is 5 years.
Before you apply for British citizenship, you will need to make sure that you have one of the following permissions:
Besides this, you will also need to have a few more documents:
Please remember, that you will not be able to include the days you have spent in the UK during which you were exempt from immigration control. This can be because you were present in the UK as a diplomat, a member of a diplomat’s household or staff, or part of a visiting armed force.
To be eligible to apply for citizenship, you will also need to fulfil the following conditions:
However, for those whose partner works for the British Government or for any organisation that works closely with the British government, this restriction can be exempted.
What is the Process of Applying for British Citizenship by Marriage?
When you have decided to apply for British citizenship based on your marriage, you have two options to choose from. You can have the British citizenship application submitted in one of the two ways:
If you have decided to apply by yourself, you will need to go through Form AN: guidance to learn about the process of applying for citizenship by naturalisation. This is for those who are living in the UK.
You will also need to fill up the application online and then provide all the necessary documents. The details of the documents will be available from the website itself.
If you are taking the assistance of an agent or hiring someone to represent you in the application process, you must check the authenticity of the agency or the person before hiring. There is a set of registered representatives who will be able to provide you with the best guidance. Check out the Office of the Immigration Service Commissioner (OISC) to know about the registered representative. In case you wish to hire a barrister or solicitor from outside, make sure that the person is registered with at least one of the following bodies:
During the application, you will also have to ensure that your account has the necessary fee for the British citizenship application available. The fee is £1,630. You might need some additional charges depending upon the services you will take. Also, you will need to pay an initial non-refundable fee of £25.
Post Application Process
Once the application is submitted you will need to wait for the final decision. The decision is generally given within a span of 6 months. However, if there is any change in circumstance leading to any delay, you will be notified within this period. You might need to provide additional documents if needed.
Upon successful processing of the application, you will need to attend the citizenship ceremony.
Additional Things to Remember
Once you have received your citizenship certificate you will have 5 days to return the biometric residence permit (BRP) to the Home Office. If you forget to do so you can be fined up to £1,000. So, remember to cut the permit into four pieces, enclose it in a windowless envelope, and then send it back to the Home Office within 5 days of getting your citizenship certificate.
Getting British Citizenship is a major task. Remember to follow every step carefully so that your application is not rejected.
UK immigration lawyers are able to deal with legal service including Immigration, Immigration UK, Immigration Advice, Visa Advice, UK Immigration Advice, ICS, OISC, British Nationality, UK Immigration, UK Visa, European Law, Marriage Visa, British Citizenship and other legal documents.
If a person born before 1 January 1983 outside the UK and his/her mother was born in the UK or a former colony that person can acquire British citizenship by registration or obtain “Right of Abode” stamp in your passport.
Children born before 1983 can now acquire British citizenship by registration application to the Home Office.
British Citizenship may also acquire if one of the grandparent was born in the UK and either was born in a former colony.
Prior to the introduction of the British Nationality Act 1981 on 1 January 1983 it was only possible for British fathers to pass on their citizenship to children born outside the UK.
Therefore if you were born outside the UK prior to 1 January 1983 and your mother is/was British then you may be eligible to apply for registration as a British citizen.
There are still requirements for you to satisfy such as being of good character.
A migrant may apply to naturalize as a British citizen if they fulfill certain conditions, such as a minimum duration of residency and good character.
You may be entitled to apply for British Citizenship by Naturalization if you are at least 18 years old and have been given indefinite leave to stay or have obtained a right of permanent residence in the UK.
British Citizenship at discretion: Adults and children may be able to apply for British citizenship in some cases.
If you are not automatically qualified for British citizenship, you might be able to apply for registration as a British citizen, either as a right or on a discretionary basis.
It can be difficult to apply for registration on a discretionary basis, particularly as a child.
When it comes to girls, one of the most important considerations is whether their future can be seen as being in the United Kingdom.
