Citzenship by descent

[mbutler911]

HI there,

I am looking at moving to live and work in the UK.

Both my parents and there parents were born and married in the UK. My parents moved to Canada in the 60's and I was born there in 1978. I am just trying to figure out what the best step would be for me to either get citizenship and or a British passport.


Thanks

[The.Watcher]

You may qualify to register as a British citizen if you were born before 1983 to a British mother.

[CR001]

If your mother and father were British Citizens by birth and married at the time of your birth, you can apply directly for a passport (easily done through the paternal line as you would be automatically British by Decent).

https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

[CR001]

You may qualify to register as a British citizen if you were born before 1983 to a British mother.

If the OPs father is British by Birth and was married to OPs mother, the OP is automatically British and can apply for passport directly and there is no need to register as British.

[mbutler911]

You may qualify to register as a British citizen if you were born before 1983 to a British mother.

If the OPs father is British by Birth and was married to OPs mother, the OP is automatically British and can apply for passport directly and there is no need to register as British.

So I would just apply for a British passport? Once I receive it I can work and live in the UK. What about my wife and children?

Thanks

[CR001]

So I would just apply for a British passport?

Yes. Passport applications from overseas can take a few months as they are processed in the UK.

Once I receive it I can work and live in the UK.

Yes or any EU country.

What about my wife and children?

Settlement visa for the family to join you, form VAF4A. There is a financial requirement you would need to meet depending on how many children you have and English A1 test for your wife (depending on her nationality and whether she is from an exempt country). Will be required to spend 5 years in the UK (2 x 2.5 year visas) before being able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain and British Citizenship.

https://www.gov.uk/join-family-in-uk/overview

Easier route (and cheaper option) for your family would be to move to one of the EU countries under the EEA family permit.