International immigration group, 1st Contact has its offices ready for the large number of enquiries already coming through from eligible individuals in an attempt to obtain British Citizenship. A new development in the UK immigration law, which came into effect on 13 January 2010, has made it possible for individuals with British born mothers to gain UK citizenship through registration. Individuals who qualify for this right, under section 4C of the British Nationality Act of 1948, no longer need to apply via the standard ancestral visa route in order to become British citizens.
According to 1st Contact’s Visas manager Robyn Cory “The opportunities for working, living and travelling in the UK and throughout the world on a UK passport are immense, making this an exciting opportunity.”
Cory adds that 1st Contact tracks all the developments and changes in the UK immigration landscape to ensure one of the fastest and smoothest acquisitions of British Citizenship for thousands of newly qualified individuals.
UK immigration law, which came into effect on 13 January 2010, has made it possible for individuals with British born mothers to gain UK citizenship through registration
The reasoning behind this new development in UK immigration legislation under section 4C of the British Nationality Act of 1948, is based on the logic that individuals with British born mothers would theoretically have become British citizens at the time of birth, had women been given equal opportunities to pass on citizenship rights through decent, in the same way as men had.
Another dose of good news for current and prospective parents includes an opportunity for children born outside the United Kingdom to British citizens by descent and after 13 January 2010, can be registered under section 3(2) of the British Nationality Act of 1981, if an application is made at any time before the child’s 18th birthday.
For individuals who feel that they meet the criteria to pursue this opportunity, access to 1st Contact’s online web services can be initiated at any time. For further information on procedure, precise details on who qualifies and a full range of services related to living, working and travelling in the UK and beyond visit www.1stcontactvisas.com
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- Why apply for a UK Visa when you could have the Passport?
- Tier 1 Visa Requirements – The High Earnings Question
- Children of British Mothers Eligible for UK Passports
- Time Based British Citizenship – A Thing of the Past?
About 1st Contact Visas1st Contact Visas is an immigration consultancy incorporated in 1998 with the aim of becoming the premier visa service provider to people wishing to migrate around the world. 1st Contact Visas can assist with the full range of UK Visas, including the HSMP/Tier 1 Visa and working towards British Citizenship though Indefinite Leave to Remain. |
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“After 13 January 2010 a person who has a British born mother will have the right to register as a British citizen under section 4C of the British Nationality Act of 198, an opportunity which previously only applied to paternal descent.”
The ‘right to register’ does not give the automatic right to citizenship by descent. Children of British mothers are NOT equal to children of British fathers.
Children of paternal descent don’t have to register and don’t have to pay £540 and don’t have to attend a citizenship ceremony but children of British mothers do! This is unjustified discrimination!
Hi Maureen,
Thank you for your comment.
Whilst it may seem outwardly as unjustified discrimination, it still offers a window of opportunity (and some may say hope) to those whom had no other alternative to migrate to the UK.
Discrimination? Possibly. Opportunity? Definitely.
Your thoughts and concerns are certainly shared amongst industry professionals and the greater public alike!
Agree, it is still as discriminatory as ever. 100%.
From my perspective, nothing has changed. With a UK born mother I hold Right Of Abode and have always had the opportunity to register as a citizen. I never did so because it was so much more expensive and time consuming in comparison to the comparable passport application, had my father been born in the UK instead. I’ve been waiting for these rule “changes” and am pretty disappointed they still have yet to address what is blatant sex discrimination.
While I can see you point about discrimination, the use of Paternal ancestry has been used to cap the number of potential passports to a manageable level.
After the World Wars, there were of course many less UK males than females, and it is the descendents of these people who are now looking to get British passports. Also, many British females married outside the UK, and this spread the net wide if all their descendents became eligible for a British passport.
does this not apply if my dad was born in uk?
Hi Nikki,
If your father is a British citizen and was at the time of your birth, it is most likely that you are already British.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for further assessment of your eligibility:
In the UK:
0800 856 2473
In South Africa:
0800 003 163
In Australia
1800 039 300
or via email to visas@1stcontact.com
can children born to naturalised father and mother appiled?
Thank you for your comment.
Children born to naturalised parents are entitled to a British Passport via decent.
My Mother is a British citizen, though she was born in Durban in South Africa, she has a veterans British Passport, am I legible to get a British passport. I am wanting to travel extensively from Uk and over Europe in May so was wondering how possible it is for me to attain a BP
Hi Anne,
Thank you for your query.
The rules determining British citizenship are numerous and varied. As such I recommend you contact us directly to discuss your individual circumstances:
Cape Town office – 021 657 2180
London office – 0207 759 7527
We look forward to assisting you.
my father was born in SA 1913 -16-1August // My mother was born (this is as close as i can remember) 4-dec 1924.in engeland, not sure where but it was close to London, my mom came to Swaziland where they were married in 1941.I was born there in 1946 Januarie 20 (at this stage Swazi land was still under british rule) the town at that stage was called Bremmersdorp today it is caled ManZini, i think i do quilifi as a british citizen by birth in Swaziland under british rule.
please inform asap
regards
Johannes Theodorus Maritz
Hi Johannes,
Thank you for your enquiry.
What you are enquiring about is known as Colonial Registration. This is a process that requires a fair amount of research into the law applicable at the time of your birth, at the time of your ancestors births etc and how that would have affected you.
Unfortunately, we cannot offer this service as this stage. A firm called Philip Gamble & Co may be able to offer you further assistance, their number is +44 (0)208 688 4618.
I apologise for not being able to assist you further. If you have any other enquiries, please feel free to contact us.
Hi
My mother was born in England but migrated to Austraia where I was born. I have a Right of Abode and have been living in England now for over 5 years. Now that the laws have changed regarding British Citizenship, is it possible to retain my Australian citizenship or would I lose this if I became a British Citizen? Ideally I would like to have dual citizenship.
Kind regards
Alison
Hi Alison,
The United Kingdom allows Australian Passport holders to hold dual nationality.
Problem solved!
I obtained my British Passport years ago while I was still living in South Africa. My mother was born in Manchester and that is how I applied for and got the passport. So what exactly has changed or has it just become easier?
Also, if I go back to South Africa, marry a South African without a BP and have children, will my children be entitled to apply under these new developments?
Hi Matthew,
The major amendment is that there was previously a cut-off date for registration as a British citizen – it was only available to those born between 07/02/1961 and 01/01/1983. The cut-off date of 07/02/1961 has been removed, opening this opportunity up to persons born before this date.
Due to another amendment in the Act, children born outside the UK to parents who are themselves British by descent will be able to register their children at any time before their 18th birthday.
I trust this has assisted.
Hi
Both my grandmothers were born in the UK, but moved to South Africa and married South Africans (and gave up British Citzenship at the time as you couldnt have dual Citizenship then). My mother and father were both born in South Africa and currently live there. Can both my mother and father gain Citizenship through registration? Can this be done in South Africa?
Thank you.
Hi Jackie,
Thank you for your comment.
If your Grandmothers were not British citizens (ie had renounced their British citizenship) at the time your parents were born, then unfortunately it is highly unlikely they will be able to claim any form of British citizenship themselves.
Hi
Both my grandmothers were born in the UK, but moved to South Africa and married South Africans (and gave up British Citzenship at the time as you couldnt have dual Citizenship then). My mother and father were both born in South Africa and currently live there. Can both my mother and father gain Citizenship through registration? Can this be done in South Africa?
Thank you.
I just want to enquire, my grandfather’s second wife is a british citizen, is it possible for me to apply for an ancestral visa, even though she is not my grandmother by blood? I am a Namibian citizen
Hi Marianna,
Unfortunately the ancestral visa criteria require all eligible nationals to have a biological line to the British Passport holder.
Hope that helps!
Good morning,
I applied for, and received British Citizenship in 2007 via registration, I then applied for and received my passport which staes “British Citizen”.
My mother was born in Manchester before moving to South Africa so I usedhere birth certificate to complete the registration process.
Would my 4 yr old daughter (born in South Africa) be eligible for a British passport at all?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Jason,
Good news!
As of 13 January 2010, children born outside the UK to British citizens by descent (ie you) are also entitled to register under section 3(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981 before their 18th birthday. Once registered, your daughter will be able to apply for a UK passport.
Please contact our Cape Town office for further details on 0800 003 163 or saoffice@1stcontact.com
Apologies for the atrocious spelling in my last post!
I was born in South Africa to a British mother and recently recieved my British citizenship through descest. Does the law now mean that my children aged 28 and 22, born in South Africa but currently on UK ancestry visa’s could actually apply for British citizenship based on the assumption that had the law been different at the time of my birth that I would have been British at birth?
Hi Mary,
Thank you for your enquiry.
Unfortunately your children are not eligible under the amendments to section 3(2) of the Act – this only applies to children making an application before their 18th birthday. Furthermore, based on the information provided, you were not actually a British citizen at the time of their birth.
It would seem that your children are only be eligible for UK Ancestry visas.
I was just curious, my grandfather is british and was born in england, my mother got ba british passport from him, I currently have an ancestral visa. Will I be able to apply for a british passport directly from my mother?
Hi Vaun,
Thank you for your enquiry.
Under section 3(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981, persons born outside the UK to parents who are British by descent (ie born outside the UK to a British parent/parents) can register as a British citizen only if this takes place before their 18th birthday.
If you have already had your 18th birthday, you are not eligible to register as a British citizen under this section of the Act and will most likely only be eligible for a UK Ancestry visa (based on having a Grandparent who was born in the UK).
I have recently been given Leave to remain 12 Jan 2010. My Mother was British born. The cost for LTR was £850, could I claim this back and rather go the route of Citizenship. Any suggestions? This cost is exorbitant to say the least.
Hi Mary-Ann,
Unfortunately 1st Contact will not be able to assist you with this, as it falls outside our scope of work.
Please contact the UK Border Agency direct via the following link – http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/contact/makingacomplaint/
Sorry we could not be of more assistance in this instance.
Hi there,
My mother is British and my father is Kiwi. Recently I was going to naturalise as a British citizen to gain my British passport and this was going to cost 720GBP, has this cost gone down now due to the new rules that have come in?
Thanks.
Hi Aimee,
The cost of registration as a British citizen is considerably less than the fees to naturalise as a British citizen, however the potential benefits to your children are far greater if you naturalise rather than register.
If you naturalise, your children will automatically be British, whereas if you choose to register, any children born outside the UK will also have to register (at a cost) – they will not be automatically British.
I trust this has assisted.
Hi 1st Contact,
My Mum was born in the UK, and migrated to Australia when she was 3 with her parents. She currently has a British passport.
I have right of abode, but this runs out at the expiry of my Australian passport in a couple of months and have been wanting to apply for a british passport for years, but it has always been too expensive.
What do i have to do get either citizenship, or a british passport and how much will it cost me? Also, when I have children will they be eligible to live and work in the UK when they grow up as a follow on from my application for British citizenship/ Dual nationality?
So I wanted to know costs, etc.. or Is there a link you could post for me to find this info out please?
Thank You for your help.
Hi Trent,
Thank you for your comment.
As your enquiry is quite involved, I suggest you contact us for further information:
0800 039 3076 or visas@1stcontact.com
We can then advise you on the most appropriate application for your current circumstances.
my dad was born in uk, does this help
my mom did have British citizenship through him
Hi Nikki,
Your mother may be eligible for a settlement visa should they wish to migrate to the UK. Unfortunately she will not be eligible for British citizenship simply by being married to a Brit.
Query:
I obtained British citizenship by naturalisation, does the change in law allow my granddaughter to apply for ancestoral visa/ british citinzenship? She is in SA with her mother, my daughter.
Hi Jabu,
Unfortunately your grandchildren will not be eligible for any form of British citizenship or a UK Ancestry visa, as you were not a British citizen at the time of your children’s birth(s) or were not born in the UK to be able to pass down ancestral rights.
Hi there,
My mother is a british citizen living in uk. She was born in Kenya in 1943, married my father an indian nationalin 1971. I was born in 1973 in India.Can I register myself as a british citizen under the new immigration law section 4c.
Thanks
Reply
Hi Krishna,
Thank you for your enquiry.
What you are enquiring about is known as Colonial Registration. This is a process that requires a fair amount of research into the law applicable at the time of your birth, at the time of your ancestors births etc and how that would have affected you.
Unfortunately, we cannot offer this service as this stage. A firm called Philip Gamble & Co may be able to offer you further assistance, their number is +44 (0)208 688 4618.
I apologise for not being able to assist you further. If you have any other enquiries, please feel free to contact us.
My mother and grand parents were born in England does this change of law allow me to obtain a British passport or am I still only able to get right of abode???? I was born prior to 83 and never reg with the British embassy.
Cheers Rob
Hi Rob,
The change in the Act has no bearing on you – as the holder of Right of Abode, you have most likely always been eligible to register as a British citizen, as you were born abroad to a mother who was born in the UK and you were born before 01/01/1983.
I don’t know what everyone is getting so excited about. This is not a new law, the law was changed in the 1980s. My younger brother was registered British before his 18th birthday. I was already over 18 and could not be registered. I thought it very unfair at the time and still do. When I was 16 my father and mother took me to the Consulate in Johannesburg and the Consul wrongly told us I had no right to be British. Zola Budd’s father took her to London before she was 18 and that worked but it was too late for me as I was misinformed. I was entitled to citizenship as my paternal grandfather was born in London but then HM Government claimed that I was not born in a foreign country but in a Commonwealth country as they only recognised the SA Republic one year after it was formed on 31 May 1961. I was born on 18 Nov 1961 and was born in the Republic. Only the Home Office recognised the Republic in 1962. I know when I was born. All possible rules were used to stop me entering the UK to live with my British parents and younger British brother. British Jtsice and a sense of fairness didn’t exist, they still don’t. If I were an asylum seeker from Somalia I’d live in a palace in London and have all expenses paid. Unfortunately I am just 100% British and have no rights to be so…
I am an Australian born in 1988. My mother was not born in the UK but her father was a British-born, British navy-serving citizen.
If this law is really supposed to end the discrimination, then is there also a change in the clause that says:
“If your father was not born in the United Kingdom, please give the town, country and date of birth of your paternal grandfather (your father’s father), or details of your paternal grandfather’s claim to British nationality, in section 9″
in order that I could be eligible because my mother was not born in the UK but my maternal grandfather was?
Hi Emily,
Thank you for your comment.
Unfortunately the amendments to the Act do not completely dismiss all discrimination based on gender – it is a unique anomaly.
It seems you would most certainly be eligible for a UK Ancestry visa, which will grant you 5 years employment and residency rights in the UK. This visa category also leads to permanent residency and ultimately, full British citizenship.
Dear Emily
If your father was born in the UK then it doesn’t matter where you are born or who your mother is, so long as the parents were married then the child is British.
The children of a male born outside the UK, whose father was born in the UK, can be British if:
1) their father takes them to the UK before they are 16 and states that they intend living there always, or
2) they are born in a foreign, not a Commonwealth country. In my case, the Home Office decided that I was not born in a foreign country even though I was, because the Nationality Act only recognised that country’s independence one year after the country celebrated its independence. The rules can therefore be twisted to avoid a young person already aged over 18 from living with his British mother, father and siblings in the UK. The consequences of being left behind when the family leaves for the UK need not be described here.
I am not an immigration lawyer, I can only speak from my personal experience and the laws that were used against me.
As Australia is still in the Commonwealth, so far as I know, you were not born in a “foreign” country so your grandfather’s birthplace is of no assistance to you unless your parents were not married.
Hi, I’m on an ancestral visa, living in the UK now, planning to stay the six years until I can apply for Passport. I was born in south africa, south african mom and english father that weren’t married, and I assumed my mother’s surname. Just wondering if having an english father entitles me to any shorter route to the passport?
Hi Andrew,
Thank you for your comment.
Unfortunately persons born outside the UK prior to 1983 whose father was a British citizen but NOT married to their mother are not British citizens themselves by descent.
If your parents subsequently marry then you will automatically become British.
If your mother is British and did not marry and you are already over 18 then you are automatically British too, as an illegitimate child takes the mother’s nationality – otherwise it would be stateless.
If your mother declares that your official father was not your father then you are technically also illegitimate and could be British.
In any event, it’s better to be a “British Bastard” if you need a passport! A British woman is punished under the law if she marries a non-British person as her children will not be British. Seems unfair, but that is British justice. The same applies to young people who find themselves in need and homeless on the streets in Britain. Young ladies are taken in to overnight shelter, young men are not. That’s official. I tried to help a young man to find a place to sleep – the pleasant Asian official at one of London’s borough homeless offices told me exactly that. Discrimination once again…young men can die on the streets.
Hi. My Mum was born to a British (born & bred) father and South African mother in Zambia in 1953. Although she has lived in S.A. nearly all her life, she has retained her British Passport and has never obtained S.A. citizenship. My sister and I were born in 1975 and 1982. Are we eligible to apply for citizenship and then, if accepted, British passports on the strength of her citizenship? Many thanks & kind regards, Robyn
Hi Robyn,
Thank you for your enquiry.
What you are enquiring about is known as Colonial Registration. This is a process that requires a fair amount of research into the law applicable at the time of your birth, at the time of your ancestors births etc and how that would have affected you.
Unfortunately, we cannot offer this service as this stage. A firm called Philip Gamble & Co may be able to offer you further assistance, their number is +44 (0)208 688 4618.
I apologise for not being able to assist you further. If you have any other enquiries, please feel free to contact us.
P.S. We were born in those years in South Africa. hanks again.
G’day
My mom was british, from Bristol and my grandmother and grandfather,
they all came to SA in about 1947, my mom married a south african, I was born here in 1949. What do I qualify for? If I have to fill in all these app. forms , does my wife have to as well? How much will it cost us?
Hi Dave,
Registration would be possible based on your mother being british born. Based on the new legislation, this would allow you to register as a british citizen (of course imperative that your mother did not renounce her citizenship). Marriage does not constitute immediate obtainment of a british passport or citizenship, this would need to be via a marriage visa and earned through time spend in the UK.
Please feel free to contact us for further information.
I hope this has been of some help!
I have a question to know if I qualify to obtain British nationality. My father was born in England and still retains his British citizenship. I was born in Canada and my parents split up when I was two years old and never got married.
I am now 26 years old and would really like to obtain a British passport so that I can work/live in Europe hassle-free (work visa free). I have read that if my father was born in the UK and is a British citizen that I have the right to apply for nationality. Can anyone confirm this? If so, can you send me a link to a webpage where it says this?
It’s difficult to find specific information on every citizenship/nationality scenario so I was hoping that someone on this thread might be able to help. I was also told, while in England several years back, by the Home Office that I did not qualify since my parents never got married and since I had already surpassed 18 years of age.
I would appreciate some expertise…thank you!
Hi Gareth,
Thank you for your enquiry.
Unfortunately due to the fact your father was not married to your mother at the time of your birth (outside the UK), you are not eligible for British citizenship.
It is most likely that you would be eligible for a UK Ancestry visa (5 years) if you have a grandparent who was born in the UK – note that your father’s name would need to appear on your birth certificate to prove the lineage and ancestral ties to the UK.
Please feel free to contact us on +44 207 759 7527 or visas@1stcontact.com for further information.
hi
i want to know if my mom is british born out side the uk from a( naturalized father and a pure british mom) and i was born out side the uk before 1983 can i apply for british citizenship or not?
Hi Wood,
Thank you for your comment.
It is unlikely that you are eligible to Register as a British citizen, as your mother is British by descent only, which can only be passed down once to persons born outside the UK. The new rules as of 13 Jan 2010 only apply to persons still under 18 years of age.
There is still a possibility you may be a British citizen, depending on where your mother was born and where you were born, and the dates you were both born. I suggest you log on to the following site and enter as many details as you possibly can – http://www.whatpassport.com/. At the end of the questions, you will receive results on what you are possibly eligible for.
I trust this has assisted.
Hi I am in “desperate” need of some help please.
My daughters fianc’ee aged 20 yrs,came to the uk with his grandfather [who is his legal gaurdian ]in 2004 from nigeria.In 2005 his grandfather took ill & he went back home to die in nigeria but left his grandson here in the uk with a family friend as the boy at the time was 15 & was settled in school & didnt want to return to nigera.A few months later his grandfather died & the “friend” then kicked the boy out onto the streets to be taken into social services.
The thing is the boys dad was born in England in 1968 & resided here for some time before returning to lagos where he fathered this child.He & the boys mother were never married,they left the boy aged 8 months old in the care of his grandparents & the boy never saw his parents again.The father emigrated to the US & we think the mother still resides somewhere in Nigera.
The boy now has telephone contact with his father so is able to obtain some information from him.
My daughter & this boy have been dating since 2005 & became engaged in 2008 but cannot make plans to marry as they do not know where he legal stands with obtaining british status.
Some say he would be allowed to stay because his father was born in uk & is british,others say this is not the case unless the mother & father were married.
{He does have an immigration solicitor whom he has had since 2004 but untill today hasnt got very far & now says he didnt know the boys parents wernt married,although he was informed of this back in 2005 & again in 2009 & this solicitor is saying he now probably wont be able to stay unless he can prove he has an established life here in uk & as he has only been in uk for 7 years it will be unlikely they will grant him permission to reside perminantly in the uk.
He moved into our home as part of our family on a perminant basis in july 2009.
PLEASE PLEASE help.
Hi Brenda,
Thank you for your enquiry.
Unfortunately 1st Contact will not be able to assist you with the particular service you require, as it falls out of our scope. We can recommend that you contact the following organisation to assist you further:
Immigration Advisory Service:
The IAS is an independent charity that gives confidential advice, assistance and representation to persons who are applying for entry clearance for the United Kingdom.
Their address is:
County House
190 Great Dover Street
LONDON SE1 4YB
Telephone: (+44) (0)844 974 4000
Duty Office (24 hrs): (+44) (0)20 7967 1299
Fax: (+44) (0)20 7378 0665
http://www.iasuk.org
Thank you for giving 1st Contact the opportunity to assist you and we apologise for not being able to assist you further.
My Mother came to SA after the War and married my Father a SA citizen. My Mother’s British Citizen Ship was denouced as we were at that stage still part of the British Colony. I know that she wanted or did apply for her British Passport, how would I be able to find out, as she has since has passed on.
Hi Cynthia,
Thank you for your comment.
I suggest you contact the British High Commission in Pretoria for this information, although it may not be of assistance to you if your mother renounced her British citizenship (ie was not a British citizen) at the time of your birth.
Good luck!
Hello
Just wanting to know about whether we (me and my sister) are able to apply for British citizenship. my situation is that my mother is a British citizen born in Singapore as my grand father was stationed there for the war(she has passed away) both my grandparents were born and bred in Britain and are now residing in Australia as British citizens. my mother married my father who is an Australian citizen and settled in Australia. can you please advise me on where i stand in regards to gaining citizenship or what we are elgible for. any informatioon to assist will be greatly appreciated.
regards
Shandi
Hi Shandi,
Thank you for your enquiry.
There is a possibility that you may be British citizens by double descent. Otherwise, you would most likely qualify for UK Ancestry visas if you are both Commonwealth citizens.
Please contact us for further assessment of your eligibility:
In the UK:
0800 856 2473
In South Africa:
0800 003 163
In Australia
1800 039 300
or via email to visas@1stcontact.com
We look forward to assisting you.
Hi Im charlene,
I was born in the UK, but my mother and father are South African, im now in South Africa with them. Is the new law allow me to have UK Citizenship or British passport?
Hi Charlene,
Thank you for your comment.
Whether you are a British citizen or otherwise will be dependant on when you were born.
Please contact our South African office for more information on 0800 003 163 or 021 657 2180, or email to saoffice@1stcontact.com
I trust this has assisted.
Hi
I am South African but British by descent through my Father who was born in the UK. I have 3 boys all of whom were born in South Africa. One is 7 (born May 2002) and twin boys who are 2 (born in Aug 2007). I have recently completed application forms for them all to remain in the UK indefinitely. However i would like them to obtain british citizenship and was wondering with the change from 13th January whether this is possible? Also if there is a cost to this?
Just another quick question. I am getting married to a British man. Does this change anything?
Any advice would be appreciated to ensure i complete the correct forms.
Joanna
Hi Joanna,
Thank you for your query.
Good news! As of 13 January 2010, children of British citizens by descent can be registered under section 3(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981, as long as an application is made time before their 18th birthday.
The fact you are marrying a British citizen has no bearing on your children.
Should you require assistance with these applications, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0800 039 3076 or visas@1stcontact.com
We look forward to assisting you further.
Hi,
My Grandmother is an English Citizen living in Australia, She came over on a boat whe she was 13 years old.
I know that her kids (my Mother) are able to apply for citizenship but i am only eligible for the 5 year ancestry Visa (which i have)
as my mother was born in Australia.
now that the laws have changed can i apply for british Citizenship?
Thanks
Hi Ryan,
Thanks for your comment.
You would only be eligible to Register as a British citizen if you are still under 18 years of age, otherwise the UK Ancestry visa is your only option.
My mother is a british citizen by registration. and has a british passport issued by British Embassy New Delhi. She was born in india in yr 1950. She got married to indian man in 1976 in india. I was born on 26th July, 1977 in india.
As such I would like to acquire British Citizenship as I was born before 1983 on that basis. so can i apply under UKM
Hi Ominder,
Thank you for your enquiry.
It is highly likely that you are eligible to Register as a British citizen. Please contact us on visas@1stcontact.com for further information and advice.
We look forward to hearing from you.
my father was born in britan and move to australian and became an austrlian citizen(but not a dul citizen)before marring my mother and me being born.
would i still be eligibal for a british passport??
Hi Emma,
Eligibilty of a British Passport would only be possible if your father was a British Citizen, renouncing of his citizenship to obtain Australian Citizenship would in effect nullify your right.
I hope this helps!
Hello,
I got a query, whether I will be entitled to apply for a british citizenship or nationality if my father holds a british passport and got his nationality in the year 2005. In addition, he been living in UK from last fifteen years. I born in a common wealth country and at the time of my birth he lived in my born country. My mum and him are still married, whereas, she still lives in home-country with my other siblings.
I joined my father in 2004 on student visa, and still on student visa. Though, I have been doing my studies from last many years. You can understand how expensive it is for an international student to pay a huge amount of money each year. In addition, I don’t have any program to go back to my home country and want to continue my studies and live in UK (which I really enjoy).
Your suggestions would be of great appreciation.
Many Thanks,
Zil.
Hi Zil,
Thank you for your query.
Unfortunately due to the fact your father was not a British citizen at the time of your birth, you are not a British citizen, nor are you eligible to apply for British citizenship.
Once you have legally resided in the UK for 10 continuous years, you would be eligible to apply for permanent residence.
I have a British passport with ‘right of abode’, and a South African passport. My father was born in India in 1905 whilst his father served in the British army. His father was born in England.
My father lived in England from the age of 4 to 16 when he emigrated with his parents and family to South Africa. He had dual citizenship: British/South African.
Would my sons be entitled to British ancestral visas, aged in their thirties? Thanks.
Hi Celia,
Thank you for your comment.
Unfortunately your children are not eligible for UK Ancestry visas, as it seems from them information you have provided, none of their grandparents were actually born in the UK.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Hi I am in “desperate” need of some help please.
My daughters who is britsh her fianc’ee aged 20 yrs,came to the uk with his grandfather [who is his legal gaurdian ]in 2004 from nigeria.In 2005 his grandfather took ill & he went back home to die in nigeria but left his grandson here in the uk with a family friend as the boy at the time was 15 & was settled in school & didnt want to return to nigera.A few months later his grandfather died & the “friend” then kicked the boy out onto the streets to be taken into social services.
The thing is the boys dad was born in England in 1968 & resided here for some time before returning to lagos where he fathered this child.He & the boys mother were never married,they left the boy aged 8 months old in the care of his grandparents & the boy never saw his parents again.The father emigrated to the US shortly after & we think the mother still resides somewhere in Nigera.
The boy now has telephone contact with his father so is able to obtain some information from him.
My daughter & this boy have been dating since 2005 & became engaged in 2008 but cannot make plans to marry as they do not know where he legal stands with obtaining british status.
Some say he would be allowed to stay because his father was born in uk & is british,others say this is not the case unless the mother & father were married.
{He does have an immigration solicitor whom he has had since 2004 but untill today hasnt got very far & now says he didnt know the boys parents wernt married,although he was informed of this back in 2005 & again in 2009 & this solicitor is saying he now probably wont be able to stay unless he can prove he has an established life here in uk & as he has only been in uk for 7 years it will be unlikely they will grant him permission to reside perminantly in the uk.
He moved into our home as part of our family on a perminant basis in july 2009.
PLEASE PLEASE help.
Hi there,
I imagine my question has been asked numerous times, so I apologize in advance. My father was born in Scotland and lived there for for 12 years before moving to Canada and becoming a citizen there. I am currently a Canadian citizen myself, aged 22, and am interested in obtaining a UK passport for the purposes of working abroad. Because I am no long under the age of 18, does this mean (under the British Nationality Act of ‘81) that I would likely only be eligible for a UK ancestry visa, or is there the possibility of obtaining my UK passport?
thanks a bunch,
j
Hi Jake,
Thank you for your enquiry.
There are several factors we must consider in order to advise you accordingly, such as whether your father was still a British citizen at the time of your birth, or whether he was married to your mother at the time of your birth etc.
Please contact us on +44 207 759 7527 or visas@1stcontact.com for further assistance.
Hi ,
My grandfather is a british citizen and my mother is also a british citizen. I was born on Nov 1983 – at the time my mother was not a british citizen. I cannot apply for right of abode that falls in category if your grandparent is a citizen as I was born after 01/1983 . Is there anything that I can do to gain citizenship as my parents/grandparents are citizens ?
Thanks,
Paul
Hi,
My mum was born in Scotland to fully Scottish parents. She moved to New Zealand when she was 5 years old. My dad is a New Zealand citizen, to NZ parents. Unfortunately my mum has no idea if she is still a British citizen and she now only has a NZ passport and this was the case when i was born in 1993. I would like to know wether i am eligible for a British passport and citizenship. Thanks!!
By the way i was born in New Zealand!
Hi,
I am a South African and am married to a British citizen since 2002. I have perminant residence. We have two kids who have dual citizenship. Can you tell me what is involved in obtaining dual citizenship for myself and the costs involved.
Many thanks.
Hi Kas,
Based on the information you provided, and you have completed one full year of your permanent residence, you would be eligible for naturalisation.
Should you require assistance with these applications, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0800 039 3076 or visas@1stcontact.com
We look forward to hearing from you.
Hi,
I’m born in Australia on the 4th of February 1988. My mum is from Britain, came here sometime in the 70’s. She has a British passport which she applied for 4 years ago, I’m wondering if I am eligible for a British passport as well. I’m unsure on what these dates mean excluding people born in certain periods.
Any help would be much appreciated.
i want work in UK, i love Uk really very much. i will sacrifise my self for defending this country, i love uk tridition,i love uk people,s. in the world the uk is really dream choice.plz send me information ,and gave me some hind,s to work and entry in uk, i love Uk Really very much.
We want to immigrate to the Uk from South Africa(my husband, myself and my son). His Grandmother is a citizen and i have a great uncle who is a citizen. My grandfather was born in Scotland, however, he grew up in South Africa. He passed away a while back however. Do we qualify for immigration?
Hi
Iwas on uk working holiday visa for two year.on th las year i was pregnant.My boyfriend was a white british citezen by birth.i had to return back to swaziland as my visa was elapsing.i was seven mnths pregnant.i ddnt want to be illegal or overstay my visa.
my baby was born on 15 oct 2007.she holds a swazi birth cert and passport.we seperated wth her father wen i was pregnant but stil keep in touch.Wer do i register her n is she entitled to a uk passport.wot documents or information wud thy requre from her british father?
I live in republic of ireland now and married to an irish man.My daughter lives wth my mum in swaziland.I so much need her to join me but through her fathers birth routes.
Please help.
Help will be truly appreciated.
My Father (Born July 5th 1959 in Sierra Leone) was a British Protected Citizen at the time of my birth in Sierra Leone. He gained full citizenship almost Five years ago with the new law that stated: anyone in sierra Leone that was born before the Independence day “April 1961″ Has full rights to apply and be issued a british citizenship. I am 24 now, and I wanted to start a new life in the UK, is there anyway that I could be entitled to a british citizenship or a type of visa ie: ancestral.. etc .. I really dont know how this works. I would truly appreciate any help.
I have a rather interesting problem which includes an adoption. I was born in South Africa in 1953 to a UK mother so the change in the law in January offers me a possibility to acquire British citizenship. Here is the complication. I have my mothers UK birth certificate but at the age of about 2 years old she came to SA with her birth parents. At the age of about 6, she was adopted by her aunt (her birth fathers sister) — don’t ask! The name she assumed for the rest of her life was her full birth name plus the new surname of her adoptive parents added on. eg. she changed from Jane Austin to Jane Austin Jones. This was the name she had by the time she married my father & then later gave birth to me.
Not only do I have her original UK birth certificate but I also have the official SA adoption papers which are signed by her birth parents & her adoptive parents with all names & dates of birth matching perfectly. I also obviously have all my legal documentation. So, I approached a lawyer who put together a very professional submission, sent it to the Embassy in Pretoria — and it was sent back immediately with a query on the surname. They wanted to know why the UK birth certificate did not say (for example) Jane Austin Jones? Could I please supply them with a birth cerificate with that name on it!!
So, how do I do that when she was actually born (for example) Jane Austin & was adopted (with full proof submitted) and then assumed the name Jane Austin Jones? Surely you can only have one birth certificate ever?
And of course, you are not allowed to speak to anyone at the Embassy!
Sorry for the really long post. Any suggestions on how I overcome this? [My mother died in 1979 so we can get no assistance there]