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Passport Applications

After becoming a British citizen, either by registration or naturalisation, you can apply for a British passport. For many people, obtaining a British passport marks the end of a long immigration process. It will allow you to leave and enter the UK freely and can be used as an identification document. It also provides proof of nationality, which can be used as evidence of your right to live, work and study in the UK.

However, a British passport is not automatically issued to you after you obtain British Nationality – it must be applied for.

 

Pitfalls

Only British nationals will be granted British passports. You may not be given a British passport if:

  • A court has ordered that you may not be granted a British passport;
  • You are on bail under conditions that prevent you from leaving the UK;
  • You are suspected of a serious crime and a warrant has been issued for your arrest; or
  • You have been brought back to the UK at the government’s expense and you have not repaid what you owe.

If your application has been refused for one or more of these reasons, or due to an error or omission on your application form, this will not automatically prevent you from obtaining a British passport in the future.

If you have yet to exercise any of your birth rights, have yet to establish yourself as a descendant, or have just naturalised—then you will likely need some assistance as there are specific British passport requirements that have to be fulfilled and a process that must be followed.

 

Top Tips/ Experience

Many passport applications get delayed due to inaccurate or incomplete information on the application. Our experienced team regularly advises clients in relation to a refused British passport application.

Our team has extensive experience of preparing successful first British passport applications. We are experts in immigration and nationality matters and can advise and assist you at every stage of your passport application to Her Majesty’s Passport Office (“HMPO”).

Having worked with the Home Office, we understand how carefully they will assess every application and if they deem that you do not meet the eligibility criteria, or if any of the requirements regarding the process or documentation have not been met, the application can be refused.  Our team will work diligently to ensure that your applications are successful.

 

 

News

Spotlight on EMEA Series: Dubai / UAE

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Spotlight on APAC Series: Singapore

In our spotlight on APAC series we round up the latest developments across Asia Pacific.  In this post, we dive into the adjustments that have been made for Covid-19 requirements for new and existing work pass holders in Singapore.   Following on from the news of the removal of Covid-19 measures for travellers arriving in…

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Spotlight on EMEA Series: Ireland

  In our spotlight on EMEA series we round up the latest developments from across the regions. In this post we look at how Ireland’s new requirements for certain nationalities to obtain visas in advance of travel to Ireland, aligning it more with the Schengen area. Before travelling to Ireland nationals of Dominica, Honduras and…

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