The journey to British citizenship is not conducted on a level playing field. It is a case of different strokes for different folks. Some get there from Day 1.For others, it may be a brutal journey through a rough, slippery terrain. Many will fall by the way side. Others, who are resilient, will eventually get to the finishing line. Individual circumstances determines the millage to cover. It could be as
short as 1 day, from the date of birth, or as long as 10 years or much more. In the extreme, it could seem like a journey to nowhere, a mirage, a mission impossible.
There may be no store large enough to accommodate books and materials on British nationality law. This essay will briefly set out 12 ways by which British citizenship can be acquired. This is by no means exhaustive nor intended to be a reference material on the subject.
TWELVE MAJOR WAYS TO BECOME A BRITISH CITIZEN:
1)A person born in the UK before 1st January,1983 is automatically a British citizen.
2)A person born in the UK after 1st January 1983 is automatically a British citizen if, at the time of the birth, his father or mother is
either a British citizen or a permanent resident( has indefinite leave to remain),
3) A person born in the UK is automatically a British citizen if at the time of birth, his father or mother is a member of the British armed forces,
4)A new -born infant found abandoned in the UK after 1st January 1983 is deemed to be the child of a person who is either a British citizen or a permanent resident and is automatically a British citizen.
5) A person born in the UK who is not a British citizen by any of the means stated above shall be entitled to be registered as a British citizen if, while the person is a minor, his father or mother becomes either a British citizen, a permanent resident, or a member of the British armed forces,
6)A person born in the UK who is not a British citizen by any of the means stated above shall be entitled to be registered as a British citizen at any time after the attainment of 10 years provided that as regards each of the first ten years of the person’s life, the number of days on which he was absent from the UK in that year does not exceed 90,
7) A minor who is adopted by a British citizen through a court in the UK or through a Convention adoption under the law of a country outside the UK shall become a British citizen as from the day the court order is made or the Convention adoption is effected.
8)A person born outside the UK after 1st January 1983 is automatically a British citizen if at the time of birth, his father or mother is a British citizen otherwise than by descent or is a British citizen by any other means and serving outside the UK in designated service .
9) A person born outside the UK shall be entitled to be registered as a British citizen if at the time of birth, his father or mother was a British citizen by descent and he subsequently entered the UK with his parents and remained in the UK for a minimum of 3 years, not being absent for more than 270 days.
10) A person who has spent 5 years continuous lawful presence in the UK(or more in some cases) and being on indefinite leave to remain for up to one year is entitled to naturalization as a British citizen subject to conditions,
11) A person who is married to a British citizen shall be entitled to naturalize as a British citizen provided that the person has lived in the UK for a minimum period of 3 years, and not been absent for more than 270 days.
12) The Secretary of State has legislative power to register a person of full age and capacity as a British citizen if the Secretary of State is satisfied that the person would have been, or would have been able to become a British citizen but for historical legislative unfairness, an act or omission of a public authority or exceptional circumstances relating to the person.
British citizenship and nationality law is complex and professional assistance is highly recommended to anyone who may wish to make any claim or application in this regard.
Eddie Onyeka esquire.