Indian NRI gave up Indian citizenship, can I still apply for UK passport?

[sanjsrik]

Hi,

My background. I was born in India, been in the US since I was 3. Was a green card holder in the US until 23 when we became US citizens.

I want to know if i can apply for a UK passport still as a natural-born Indian person and also for my daughter who was born in the US?

Is this possible for me first and foremost and is it possible for my daughter who would like to study in the UK?

Thank you for your help.

[secret.simon]

What is your UK immigration status and that of your daughter and the other parent?

[sanjsrik]

Me: I'm a naturalized US citizen born in India, became a citizen when I was 23 after being in the States for about 20 years, green card holder until then
daughter: US-born US citizen

[secret.simon]

What is your immigration status in the UK? What is the basis of your enquiry about applying for a UK passport?

[sanjsrik]

My daughter wants to study in the UK, I'm trying to see about my options for getting a UK passport as an natural-born Indian citizen and her options as a second generation of an Indian-born citizen.

[CR001]

Why do you believe as a "natural born Indian citizen" it makes you eligible for a British passport??

It does not. British citizenship requires a period of residence and PR before you can apply and this is a separate process to a UK passport application.

Only a British citizen can apply for a British passport and your posts don't state that you qualify or are a British citizen.

So if you can explain why you believe you are entitled to apply for British passport, it would be helpful.

[sanjsrik]

I didn't say I did. This is why I'm asking the question on an immigration forum. I'm trying to find out my options. No idea what your TLAs mean here in terms of PR. Not everyone speaks the same jargon.

Thank you for your insights.

[CR001]

PR is permanent residence.

If you are not born to British otherwise than by descent parents, you cannot apply for a British passport.

If your daughter wishes to study in the UK, she would have to follow the UK tier 4 student visa process and get a sponsoring educational institution and meet all the requirements.

Note that tier 4 student visas don't lead to permanent residence after 5 years anymore.

[sunburn]

There's no path to UK citizenship short of the standard naturalization processes, for either an Indian or US citizen with no other familial ties to UK.

[secret.simon]

There's no path to UK citizenship short of the standard naturalization processes, for either an Indian or US citizen with no other familial ties to UK.

The requirements for naturalisation in any case require at least five years of residence in the UK, within specified absence requirements, holding some form of settled status in the UK (such as Indefinite Leave to Remain or Permanent Residence) and meeting other requirements (language, LITUK tests).

Indian citizens do not have any shortcut to acquisition of either residence or of naturalisation in the UK. The only additional right that they have in the UK is that Indian (and other Commonwealth) citizens legally resident in the UK (not on a visit visa) can vote in all elections.

As CR001 has advised, your daughter will need to apply under the usual Tier 4 route to study in the UK.