Immigration Corner | Can I get dual citizenship?

Dear Mr Bassie,

I am thinking of applying for British citizenship. What is the British authorities' position on a person holding dual citizenship?

- JK

Dear JK,

Persons in the United Kingdom are allowed to hold dual citizenship, also known as dual nationality. This means that a person is able to be a British citizen and also a citizen of another country. In such cases, persons do not need to apply for dual citizenship as they can apply for a foreign citizenship and keep their British citizenship.

However, there are many countries that do not accept dual citizenship. Therefore, it is advisable that persons check with the other country's consulate or embassy to find out about that country's laws on dual nationality.

It should also be noted that in this respect, there will be no change to the rights and status of European Union nationals living in the United Kingdom, nor United Kingdom nationals living in the European Union while the United Kingdom remains in the European Union.

With respect to dual citizenship, if persons are applying for British citizenship in the United Kingdom, this can be done in the normal way. Dual-national persons cannot get diplomatic help from the British government when they are in the other country where they hold citizenship. For example, if persons hold both British and Chinese citizenship, they cannot get diplomatic help from the United Kingdom when they are in China.

Automatic citizenship

Additionally, persons do not automatically become a British citizen when they marry a person from the United Kingdom. They will need to apply as the spouse of a British citizen. However, in some countries, a married person is automatically counted as having their partner's nationality. Also, children may also automatically have a parent's nationality, even if they were born abroad. With these issues, it is advisable to check with the country's consulate or high commission in the United Kingdom to find out about that country's laws on dual nationality.

Persons can apply to give up their British citizenship or status. If accepted, those persons will receive a 'declaration of renunciation' that can be used to show that they are no longer British. Persons may want to do this if they want to become a citizen of another country that does not allow dual citizenship.

- John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Court-appointed mediator, a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (UK). Email:lawbassie@yahoo.com