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British nationality law is the law of the United Kingdom which concerns citizenship and other categories of British nationality. British nationality laws can at times be complex owing to the UK’s historical standing as an imperial power with colonies.
The UK allows dual citizenship (also known as dual nationality). This means you can be a British citizen and also a citizen of other countries. There is no need to apply for dual citizenship. Individuals can apply for foreign citizenship and keep their British citizenship. However, many countries (e.g. India) do not permit dual citizenship.
Note: UK Nationality laws provide different ways to apply for British citizenship based on your circumstances.
Coat of Arms of UK | Source: By Sodacan
There are 6 different types of British nationality. These are:
For individuals born in the UK before the 1st of January 1983, it includes people who:
Individuals born in the UK after the 1st of January 1983 don’t automatically get a British citizenship. They are considered British citizens only if either one of their parents were either a British citizen at the time of their birth or either parents were ‘settled’ in the UK at the time of their birth.
British overseas territories citizenship was called ‘British dependent territories citizenship’ before the 26th of February, 2002.
As a British overseas territories citizen, an individual can hold a British passport, and get consular assistance and protection from the UK diplomatic posts. However, (unless they are a British citizen) they would be subject to immigration controls and do not have an automatic right to live or work in the UK and aren’t considered a UK national by the European Union (EU).
UK nationality laws allow individuals to register as a British citizen in certain limited circumstances, if you would like to ascertain your eligibility, you can contact our UK qualified Solicitors for advice and assistance in registering as a British national on +91 98191 27002 or email your query at info@smartmove2uk.com
An individual became a British overseas citizen on the 1st of January 1983, if they were a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies on the 31st of December 1982, and they didn’t become either a British citizen or a British overseas territories citizen on the 1st of January 1983.
As a British overseas citizen, the individual can hold a British passport and get consular assistance and protection from UK diplomatic posts.
However, (unless they are a British citizen) they would be subject to immigration controls and do not have an automatic right to live or work in the UK and aren’t considered a UK national by the European Union (EU).
UK nationality laws allow individuals to register as a British citizen if they are a British overseas and meet certain conditions. Our UK qualified Solicitors have helped numerous British overseas citizens successfully apply for registration as British citizens. If you would like advice and assistance in registering as a British national, you can contact us on +91 98191 27002 or email us at info@smartmove2uk.com
Until 1949, nearly everyone with a close connection to the United Kingdom was called a ‘British subject’. All citizens of Commonwealth countries were British subjects until January 1983. Since 1983, very few people have qualified as British subjects.
As a British subject, an individual can hold a British passport and get consular assistance and protection from UK diplomatic posts. However, (unless they are a British citizen) they would be subject to immigration controls and do not have an automatic right to live or work in the UK and aren’t considered a UK national by the European Union (EU).
UK nationality laws allow individuals to register as British citizens in certain limited circumstances. If you would like to ascertain your eligibility, you can contact our UK qualified Solicitors for advice and assistance in registering as a British national on +91 98191 27002 or email your query at info@smartmove2uk.com
An individual who was a British overseas territories citizen by connection with Hong Kong was able to register as a British national (overseas) before the 1st of July 1997.
British overseas territories citizens from Hong Kong who did not register as British nationals (overseas) and had no other nationality or citizenship on the 30th of June 1997, became British overseas citizens on the 1st of July 1997. If you’re not already a British national (overseas), you cannot apply to become one.
As a British national (overseas) subject, an individual can hold a British passport and get consular assistance and protection from UK diplomatic posts. However, (unless they are a British citizen) they would be subject to immigration controls and do not have an automatic right to live or work in the UK and aren’t considered a UK national by the European Union (EU).
UK nationality laws allow individuals to register as British citizens if they are a British national (overseas) and meet certain conditions. Our UK qualified Solicitors have helped British nationals (overseas) based in Hong Kong to successfully apply for registration as British citizens. If you would like advice and assistance in registering as a British national, you can contact us on +91 98191 27002 or email us at info@smartmove2uk.com
An individual would have become a British protected person on the 1st of January 1983 if they were a citizen or national of Brunei; or were already a British protected person; or would otherwise have been born stateless (without a country) in the UK or an overseas territory because, when they were born, one of their parents was a British protected person.
Individuals would lose their British protected person status if they have gained any other nationality or citizenship, or the territory they were connected with became independent and they became a citizen of that country.
As a British protected person, an individual can hold a British passport and get consular assistance and protection from UK diplomatic posts. However, (unless they are a British citizen) they would be subject to immigration controls and do not have an automatic right to live or work in the UK and aren’t considered a UK national by the European Union (EU).
UK nationality laws allow individuals to register as British citizens in certain limited circumstances. If you would like to ascertain your eligibility, you can contact our UK qualified Solicitors for advice and assistance in registering as a British national on +91 98191 27002 or email your query at info@smartmove2uk.com
It’s best to seek professional advice before you proceed to save unnecessary loss of time and expense in relation to British citizenship or British Passport.
