How to Apply For British Citizenship by Naturalisation
Taking the oath of allegiance to the British Crown is a prerequisite for obtaining British citizenship by naturalisation. If you have a prior conviction, it will affect your application. But, you can still get citizenship if you meet all the other criteria. This article outlines the steps to becoming a British citizen. Read on to learn more. Also, learn what you need to do to become eligible for British citizenship by naturalisation.
Exemptions from British citizenship by naturalisation
Citizenship by naturalisation is a process by which an individual acquires a new nationality through birth or marriage. Many people migrate to the United Kingdom and apply for citizenship. Children, however, can also apply for British citizenship if they are born in the UK to parents who are British citizens. These rules are complex and depend on the country of origin. Listed below are some common exemptions from British citizenship by naturalisation.
Non-degree holders are allowed to obtain British citizenship by passing a recognised English test. This test must be taken at an approved center and at a level of B1, B2, C1, or C2. The test must have been taken within two years prior to application for British citizenship. If an individual is unable to pass this test, they can prove their English language proficiency by producing a copy of the test certificate or unique reference number.
Individuals who have been lawfully resident in the United Kingdom for at least five years must also meet the good moral character requirement. This requires them to demonstrate that they are a good citizen by practicing the laws and having a positive impact on the community. People with unpaid UK taxes or NHS debts may also be denied citizenship. They can also be denied citizenship by naturalisation if they have declared bankruptcy.
Impact of previous convictions on british citizenship application
Having a criminal record does not necessarily mean you cannot get British citizenship. Your application will be considered based on the seriousness of the crime and the punishment imposed. In certain cases, your convictions may not have any impact on your application, but you should consider this before submitting your application. Likewise, you should not hide any previous convictions. In some cases, the Home Office may reject your application on grounds of deception.
If you have a criminal record, you should disclose it on your British citizenship application. There is one exception – those in Northern Ireland do not have to disclose spent convictions. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1978 governs applications from Northern Ireland. However, applications from England are outside of this legislation. Therefore, it is important to disclose all previous convictions in order to meet the citizenship requirements. In addition to previous convictions, applicants should disclose all criminal offenses on their applications.
However, if you have been sentenced to a prison term, you should not delay your application for British citizenship. You will have to wait at least ten years or five years for such an application to take effect. For instance, if you were sentenced to five years in jail for fraud, you would need to wait another 4 years to apply for citizenship. And if you’re sentenced to jail for more than 4 years, you would not even be eligible for citizenship. Read more about the scale up visa.
Criteria to apply for british citizenship by naturalisation
Applying for British citizenship by naturalisation can be a complex process. In general, you must have been physically present in the UK for at least three years. There are some exceptions, however, and you may have to live in the UK for a longer period than this. In particular, if you have been living in the UK for five years, you must have been here for a minimum of two of those years.
Applicants for British citizenship must also submit their current passports and previous visas. Passports and visas can not be photocopied. In addition, applicants must submit their BRP cards (biometric records issued by the Home Office) which contain their pictures, fingerprints, and immigration status. All documents must be valid at the time of application. If you meet all the above criteria, you will be granted British citizenship.
To be eligible to apply for British citizenship by naturalisation, a person must be living in the UK for at least three years prior to application. He or she must not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months. A married person must also have been a resident of the UK for at least three years before applying for British citizenship. Applicants must have obtained a further leave to remain visa or indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Many people who apply for this route end up with this approval.