Q&A for How to Become a UK Citizen

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  • Question
    Can a temporary resident apply for British citizenship?
    Community Answer
    If you have been living in the UK for 5 years, you are allowed to apply for British citizenship. However, you will be required to prove your English language skills and pass 'a life in the UK' test.
  • Question
    How long do I have to be a resident to get UK citizenship?
    Community Answer
    You need to have lived in the UK for at least 5 years until you are able to apply for naturalization. However, if you are married to a British citizen, you can already do so after you have been in the UK for only 3 years.
  • Question
    Could a married couple from a different country be granted citizenship in the UK?
    Community Answer
    Yes. If a couple has lived long enough in the UK, and meet the requirements (good character, mastery of the English language, and other tests), they can apply for and be granted citizenship.
  • Question
    I was born in England, but I am a US citizen. Would I still have to go through the same process and for the same length of time?
    Community Answer
    As long as your birth certificate says that you were born in the UK, you don't have to go through the whole process.
  • Question
    If I am a British citizen with daughters who were born in Italy, can they become UK citizens?
    Community Answer
    Yes, if they register for a British citizenship with the reason being that their parent is a British citizen, they should be able to become a British citizen very easily.
  • Question
    Do I have to take a picture with the queen?
    Community Answer
    No, you do not have to take a picture with the queen. As great as that would be, it is not a requirement of becoming a UK citizen.
  • Question
    How can someone get UK citizenship if he entered the UK without a valid visa?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    You need to follow the application procedure just like anyone else. Consider applying for refugee status, to avoid being deported. Consider getting legal assistance in these matters.
  • Question
    Can I become a UK citizen if I'm an Indian?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Your country of origin doesn't matter. You just need a valid visa and a valid passport or travel document showing your identity and be able to get a job or study.
  • Question
    I have lived in the UK for 40 years and have an NTL card. What do I need to do to become a citizen?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Contact the UK visa authorities. Check www.gov.uk/transfer-visa for more information, procedures, forms, etc. Your residence record and the NTL stamp should help you along nicely.
  • Question
    I'm a British citizen, my son is a British citizen but was born in France. He is working in the UK. Can he give his children British passports?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Usually, children automatically receive the citizenship of their parents. So your son's children have British citizenship and British passports can be issued without problem. Contact the UK embassy near you for more detailed information.
  • Question
    If I'm married to a British citizen who has been living outside the United Kingdom, do I qualify to become a British citizen?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Contact the UK embassy to find out. There are always a number of requirements before a citizenship application is approved. Though a marriage to a UK citizen certainly helps, it seems not to be enough on its own. It doesn't matter where your spouse lives.
  • Question
    I'm an Australian. If I buy a house in the UK and live there for 5 years, can I become a UK citizen?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    The best way is to contact the UK embassy in Australia and ask them directly. There are always certain requirements before you can become a citizen of any country, and the UK is no exception. Though having a property and having stayed in the UK certainly helps, it is neither the only requirement nor a guarantee of approval.
  • Question
    My mother was born in England, but never claimed her citizenship before moving back to the USA. Can I become a UK citizen?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    You will need to follow the application procedure and meet whatever requirements come with it. Having British parents will help a little, but that is not a guarantee for approval.
  • Question
    I am a Canadian citizen who has a British passport because my father was born In England. Does my son have any rights to British citizenship?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    No, not likely. Most countries follow the rule that children obtain the citizenship of their parents, so your son is Canadian. If your father was born in the UK, you may have an easier application process, but you cannot claim automatic citizenship.
  • Question
    If I give birth abroad, does that make the child a citizen of the country I'm visiting?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the country you're giving birth in. Some countries, such as the US, offer birthright citizenship (or jus soli) to all who are born within the country. Other countries, such as India, don't offer birthright citizenship. Check with the official country website for specific information on the country of your choice.
  • Question
    How do I reapply to become a UK citizen?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Follow the same procedure you followed the first time. Note that some reasons for denying your first application preclude you from applying a second time. You can't simply file a new application every time until one is approved.
  • Question
    I was born in the UK, am a British citizen and have a current British passport, but have lived overseas since I was young. What do I have to do to get British residency?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    It would seem that you don't need to do anything. Just travel to the UK, rent or buy a place and live there. To be on the safe side, you could contact the UK embassy near you.
  • Question
    I am a senior citizen cancer patient. I need UK citizenship, how do I get it?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Contact the UK embassy near you and follow the application procedure.
  • Question
    I have British ancestors but I was born in another country. Would it be possible for me to apply for citizenship, and if so, where should I begin?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Begin by contacting the UK embassy near you. Check the requirements that must be met for an application to be approved. Though a British ancestry may help a little, it is likely not enough to guarantee approval.
  • Question
    I was born in the UK but went overseas to study. Do I need to go through the process?
    Spaceship
    Community Answer
    If you still have your British citizenship, you don’t have to go through the process of reobtaining it.
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