Have RoA,lived in UK for 2 years - how do I get citizenship?

[Rangela]

Hi,

I am an Australian with 'Right of Abode' (born to British mother before 1983) and have lived in the UK for two years. Am I eligible to get citizenship?

If yes, what do I need to do next?

Have found starting the process slightly bewildering, so any help is greatly appreciated

[JAJ]

Hi,

I am an Australian with 'Right of Abode' (born to British mother before 1983) and have lived in the UK for two years. Am I eligible to get citizenship?

If yes, what do I need to do next?

If you want British citizenship "by descent" you can get that now, assuming you were born on or after 8 February 1961.

Otherwise, you need to wait longer to be eligible for naturalisation.

A few questions which might clarify:
- Have you got a spouse/partner, if so, which nationality?
- Are you planning to have children in the future, and if so, where would they be born?
- Are you keen to leave the UK now or planning to stay longer?

[Rangela]

Hi JAJ,

Thanks for your reply.

To answer your questions:

-Yes I have a partner who is Australian (sponsored work visa)
-No plans on children at this stage
-No plans on leaving the UK at this time

Sorry for the complete lack of knowledge but how does I go about applying for citizenship 'by descent'? I.e. which forms and so on.

Many thanks again!

[Christophe]

Sorry for the complete lack of knowledge but how does I go about applying for citizenship 'by descent'? I.e. which forms and so on.

From the BIA website, you can download the guidance notes and the relevant form (form UKM).

It's worth bearing in mind a few things:

• - this is relevant to you only if you were born before 1 January 1983 but after 7 February 1961
  - compared with naturalising as a British citizen on the basis of residence in the UK, it will be less expensive and simpler to register in this way, and you can do it now
  - however, you will become a British citizen by descent rather than a British citizen otherwise than by descent (as you would if you naturalised in due course) - the only practical difference is that children born outside the UK to British citizens by descent are not automatically British citizens, which might be of importance to you

[Rangela]

Thanks to you both for the info!