Bringing India born child to UK - CoE or VAF4A

[vitesh]

Hi all,

I am a naturalised British citizen and my wife is an Indian citizen holding ILR. She recently gave birth to our son in India. I want to bring the child to UK as soon as possible due to medical reasons. The question is:

If I get an Indian passport for him by virtue of my wife holding an Indian passport, should I apply for CoE (right to abode) or should I apply for settlement visa using form VAF4A (as per http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas ... ying-visa/)

Any help is much appreciated.

Regards,
Vitesh

[CR001]

Was the child born before or after you obtained British Citizenship?

If the child was born after you were naturalised, then the child is British by descent and could apply for British passport directly.

Not sure about the process for Indian passport/leaving India due to dual nationality not being allowed.

[vitesh]

The child was born after I naturalised. I can't apply for child's British passport since they need my original British passport for the whole application processing time and I need to travel back to UK for my job.

The child can get an Indian passport since his mother has Indian passport with ILR. My question is what is faster and suitable to get for him from India: CoE (right to abode) or settlement using form VAF4A (as per http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas ... ying-visa/)

Appreciate your prompt reply.

Regards,
Vitesh

[CR001]

The child was born after I naturalised. I can't apply for child's British passport since they need my original British passport for the whole application processing time and I need to travel back to UK for my job.

You can use your naturalisation certificate for his passport application or probably a certified copy of your British passport.

[vitesh]

Thanks for your reply. I called the the British passport helpline number and they told me that I needed to send my original passport along with original naturalization certificate.

Would the route of getting CoE (right to abode) quicker or would a settlement visa on his Indian passport be quicker? The child needs to be UK ASAP to see doctors and I want to go for the quickest option.

Regards,
Vitesh

[vinny]

See also Are you a minor, Indian by descent and also foreign citizen?

Note that a British child cannot technically apply a settlement visa.