British citizenship has two main categories – those who are “British citizens by descent” and those who are “British citizens otherwise than by descent”. The type of citizenship an individual holds is important because it will determine whether they can automatically pass their citizenship on to their children, irrespective of where they are born.
Determining whether an individual automatically qualifies as a British citizen usually depends on three factors:
- Where they were born;
- When they were born; and
- Their parents’ circumstances at the time of their birth.
Pitfalls
Understanding the strict rules and requirements can be time consuming and frustrating. Applications for citizenship can be refused for various reasons. There is no right to appeal such a refusal; however, it is possible to request a review of the decision.
If your application for registration or naturalisation as a British citizen has been refused, our team can advise on the merits of seeking a reconsideration of the decision and, if appropriate, assist with preparing an application for reconsideration.
If you are not eligible for citizenship by registration, our immigration and nationality team can assist to identify alternative routes to citizenship.
Top Tips/ Experience
Our team has experience assisting with all types of nationality matters. Whether you are looking to apply for registration by entitlement or discretion, we can guide you through the complexities of British nationality law.
We pride ourselves on being approachable and proactive in understanding and meeting our clients’ needs. We are a highly driven team, dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration and nationality advice as part of a professional and friendly service.
