My wife is pregnant, can my kid get the british passport

[philippe31]

I am a British man living in Lebanon with my Lebanese wife (my wife only has a Lebanese passport) who is pregnant with our child. I was born in England on October 2 1985, my mother is Scottish with the British passport and my grandparents from my mothers side are Scottish British. We all are citizens. My father is Lebanese with a Lebanese passport. I have never worked in the UK but have went to university in London and lived in Scotland as a child for 3 years.

I wanted to ask, what are the possible best ways for me to get my child the British passport when he is born . Is it better for my wife to deliver in the UK or can we get the passport from Lebanon automatically. What are the best methods to do both of the above and what is better for my child long term i.e. when he grows up or has a family etc.

looking forward to the replies thanks

[vinny]

If your child was born overseas then, s/he would still automatically be British by descent. S/he may apply for a British passport directly. However, in this case, her/his children (i.e. your grandchildren) born outside the UK may not be automatically British (depending on her/his job or partner's status), but may be entitled to register under certain conditions.

It may be better if your child is born in the UK as that would make her/him British otherwise than by descent, the same as you. But if your wife is already pregnant, then it may be impractical for her to travel. Moreover, some hospitals may apparently require more than 9 months' notice!

[philippe31]

Thank you vinny very much, when you mean descent , can you please clarify what you mean please, and would it be possible for my wife to be brought to the UK to give birth if so what Visa should she apply for and is it easy to get

[vinny]

Please click on the given links for more information.

If she wants to settle in the UK, then she may apply for a settlement visa. However, that would be subject to you satisfying the financial requirements.

If she successfully applies as a visitor, then she would also have to pay privately or 150% for any non-emergency NHS treatments.

[ohara]

Thank you vinny very much, when you mean descent , can you please clarify what you mean please

People who are born British by descent cannot pass British citizenship onto their own children born outside the UK.

Example:

Andy and Jane are both British, born in the UK. They move to Spain, and have a child, Rob. Rob is automatically British by descent, and can immediately get a British passport and enter/leave the UK unrestricted.

However, if Andy and Jane decide to stay in Spain indefinitely, and Rob then grows up and has a child in Spain with a Spanish woman, the child will not be British.

Being born abroad to a British citizen (otherwise than by descent) is the only route to becoming British by descent. All other methods (registration, adoption, naturalisation etc) will make you a British citizen otherwise than by descent, and you can pass British citizenship down one generation to children born outside the UK.

Here's an example of someone who was caught out by this, as a British citizen by descent who then had a child abroad and did not realise his child would not be British: http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/as- ... 17716.html

[vinny]

If his father was in the RAF, i.e. Crown service, when he was born, then he may be British otherwise than by descent. Hence, his daughter may be British by descent.

[avjones]

It may be better if your child is born in the UK as that would make her/him British otherwise than by descent, the same as you. But if your wife is already pregnant, then it may be impractical for her to travel. Moreover, some hospitals may apparently require more than 9 months' notice!

But the wife wouldn't be entitled to NHS treatment etc if she doesn't have a spouse visa.

[Obie]

But the wife wouldn't be entitled to NHS treatment etc if she doesn't have a spouse visa.

Who said that.

[Wanderer]

But the wife wouldn't be entitled to NHS treatment etc if she doesn't have a spouse visa.

Who said that.

Miss Amanda Jones.........

[Obie]

I understood it was Ms Amanda Jones that said that . I was merely seeking clarification from her as to why she made that assertion..

Well, my understand is that OP'S wife may be required to pay, but won't be denied treatment.

[Wanderer]

I understood it was Ms Amanda Jones that said that . I was merely seeking clarification from her as to why she made that assertion..

As my understand is that OP'S wife may be required to pay, but won't be denied treatment.

I was evoking a Rolling Stones rhetoric, great band, and British...

[avjones]

But the wife wouldn't be entitled to NHS treatment etc if she doesn't have a spouse visa.

Who said that.

Me. She could have treatment at an NHS *hospital* but not NHS treatment. She'd have to pay for it.