British Citizenship by Naturalisation is one of the ways in which a person can obtain UK citizenship.
When we refer to British naturalisation, we usually refer to the process that an applicant will follow after they have been granted indefinite leave to remain or settled status in the United Kingdom. Generally speaking, an applicant has to have spent at least 6 years in the United Kingdom without having left the United Kingdom for more than 450 days over the preceding five years on aggregate and not having left the United Kingdom for more than 90 days during their last 12 months leave. These 90 days form part of the 450-day allowance. It is important to note that there is a difference between naturalising as a British Citizen and registering as a British citizen.
Generally speaking, if you are a naturalised British citizen, you can pass on that citizenship to a child born abroad after you have been naturalised. If you have a child born in the United Kingdom, that child will also be British.
Whilst there are many different requirements that have to be met when one applies for British citizenship, one of the often overlooked aspects is the retention of the citizenship of the country you currently hold prior to applying for British citizenship. If you are a South African citizen, for example, you need to apply for and be granted the right to retain your South African citizenship prior to naturalisation as a British Citizen.
Other requirements that need to be met relate to the Life in the UK test, if it hasn’t been done already, as well as various supporting documents. Your Breytenbachs consultant will be able to assist further.
How can Breytenbachs help you with your British Citizenship by Naturalisation
We recommend that you stay in touch with your Breytenbachs consultant throughout your qualifying period for British Citizenship by Naturalisation. Your Breytenbachs consultant will check your immigration status to ensure that your route to citizenship is not compromised at any stage.
Contact your Breytenbachs consultant for further assistance.
