Developed for GLOBAL STAR:   Acquisition of British citizenship

On 23 June 2016, the people of the United Kingdom voted in a government-organised referendum to leave the EU, or so-called BREXIT. After leaving the EU, the UK’s membership agreements with the EU come to an end. New agreements come into force, including the right of EU citizens to live and work freely in the UK. This applies to citizens who are already there. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens in the UK had to apply for a new immigration status to continue living and working in the UK and to access healthcare and social benefits if they were eligible.

This new status is called Settlement status, and the application deadline is 30 June 2021. If you have not applied by this deadline, you may lose your right to work, rent accommodation or receive social benefits or healthcare, and this may result in you leaving the UK.

The application is free, although costs may be incurred during the process. Settled status is granted based on residence. You do not have to work; you may receive social benefits.

If you wish to become a subject of His Majesty's, there are several ways to do so, depending on the circumstances surrounding your residence. If you qualify in more than one way, you can choose which route to apply under.

1. Born in the UK

If you were born on the Island, you do not automatically get citizenship. This depends on when you were born and the circumstances surrounding your parents. Check your status and if you did not automatically get citizenship because you were born there, you can apply.

2. In a civil partnership with a British citizen

If you are married to a British citizen or living in a civil partnership, you must have lived in the UK for the last 3 years to be able to apply for citizenship under this route.

3. You can apply for citizenship if:

– one of your parents is British;

– you already have another type of British nationality;

– you have no citizenship;

– you have previously renounced your British citizenship.

4. Windrush

You are eligible to apply for citizenship under the Windrush scheme if you meet both of the following conditions:

– you or one of your parents arrived in the UK before 1973; If your parent arrived in the UK before 1973, then you must: either have been born in the UK, or have entered the country with your parent before you turned 18.

– you have lived in the UK and have not been outside the country for more than 2 years.

5. Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

If you have this, you can apply for citizenship. But to get ILR you need to have lived in the UK for a minimum of 5 years. Then, to apply for citizenship with ILR you need to have lived in the UK for 12 months after getting this status. ILR is an immigration status in the UK that gives you the right to live and work there. If you don't have 5 years of residence, you will be offered temporary residence status, from the day you apply, or if you do not have evidence that you have lived here for five years. This document will only be valid for five years and you will need to apply for Settled Status when this period ends, or when you have been in the UK for five years. You can work, rent or buy a home, and access healthcare through the National Health Service, but some of your social benefits will be restricted due to additional conditions that come into effect.

You will be free to leave and enter the country, but you will lose your status if you live outside the UK for 5 or more years without a break.

6. Permanent Residence (PR)

You can no longer apply for British citizenship with ‘permanent residence’ status. You must apply for Settled Status. This document (PR) becomes invalid after 31 December 2020. However, it is treated as evidence during your application for Settled Status (a type of ILR).

Processing of applications may take longer than usual due to coronavirus (COVID-19). This will not affect the decision. Additional time will be allowed for biometrics, additional information, and civil ceremony arrangements. Do not apply by mail if you need your documents back by a specific date.