Immigration Corner | Am I eligible for British citizenship?

Dear Mr Bassie,

I was born in 2003 and one of my parents is British born. I would like to know if I am eligible for British citizenship. I am hoping that you will advise on this subject.

L.A.

Dear L.A.,

Persons who were born between 1983 and June 2006 are automatically British citizens if they were born outside the United Kingdom (UK) and all of the following apply:

• they were born between January 1, 1983 and June 30, 2006

• their mother or father was a British citizen when they were born (they must have been married if their father had British citizenship but their mother did not)

• their British parent could pass on their citizenship to them

Please note that the British parent could pass on their citizenship if they were one of the following:

• born or adopted in the UK

• given citizenship after applying for it in their own right (not based on having a British parent)

• working as a Crown servant when they were born (for example in the diplomatic service, overseas civil service or armed forces)

Persons who qualify for citizenship in this way should note that their children will not automatically become British if they are born outside the UK. However, they should check to see if they can qualify in another way.

If they are automatically a citizen, they can apply for a UK passport or ask for a letter confirming their citizenship which advises of their ‘immigration status’. Persons who live in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory, should be aware that there is a different way to obtain a letter confirming their citizenship.

WHERE BRITISH FATHER WAS NOT MARRIED TO MOTHER

Persons may be eligible to apply for citizenship if their father was a British citizen when they were born. Their father must also have been one of the following:

• born or adopted in the UK

• given citizenship after applying for it in his own right (not based on having a British parent)

• working as a Crown servant when person was born (for example in the diplomatic service, overseas civil service or armed forces)

With respect to fees persons will need to pay £130 to attend a citizenship ceremony.

APPLYING

Persons are advised to read the guidance online to confirm that they are eligible to apply. The applicant should fill in the form online. They will be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide their biometric information, that is their fingerprints and a photograph. Please note that applicants will not need to send their documents anywhere as they can either upload copies into the online service or have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment. It should be noted that persons can also apply by post.

Those persons who are living and applying from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory may have to apply by post or in person instead. Applicants should check which they can do with their governor’s office. They will also be told where to give their biometric information after applying.

Just for completeness, persons should be aware that they can get help with completing the online form if they do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device and/or do not have internet access. However, persons can only use this service if they are applying from within the UK and persons cannot get immigration advice through this service.

I hope this helps.

All the best.

John S. Bassie

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, the past global president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (U.). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com