Return to UK

[UKUSAMarriage]

Dear All,

I am a british citizen by birth and my wife will soon be a british citizen when our visa process finally concludes.

We are toying with the idea of moving to america once her british citizenship is received- does anyone have any experience or guidance regarding her returning to the U.K/ keeping her UK citizenship whilst living in the USA?

I am concerned that after all this effort the citizenship might be lost or something, so want to check everything before we make decisions.

Many thanks,

[CR001]

Citizenship is NOT lost if you leave the UK.

Note however, that it is unlikely she will be British any time soon as there are delays and normal processing times can be up to 6 months (sometimes longer) for approval letter. Only once that is received, can she book her ceremony which is where she officially becomes British and receives her naturalisation certificate.

[UKUSAMarriage]

Citizenship is NOT lost if you leave the UK.

Note however, that it is unlikely she will be British any time soon as there are delays and normal processing times can be up to 6 months (sometimes longer) for approval letter. Only once that is received, can she book her ceremony which is where she officially becomes British and receives her naturalisation certificate.

Brilliant thanks for the advice, I think I read somewhere that if you leave when you return you need to reactivate your citizenship, is that correct? If so is it a difficult/ expensive procedure?

Thanks, I am in no rush to move to the USA and neither is she, we are simply close to completing our VISA journey within the UK and contemplating our future options

[secret.simon]

Better to wait until she gets her British passport after the citizenship ceremony before leaving, as first British passport applications from abroad can cause issues as well.

Keep in mind that any children born abroad will be British citizens by descent and will not be able to automatically pass on their British citizenship to their children (your grandchildren).

[CR001]

I think I read somewhere that if you leave when you return you need to reactivate your citizenship, is that correct?

There is no such thing. You are British and nothing needs to be reactivated.

[UKUSAMarriage]

Thanks to you both! We are not planning on leaving until past when my wife receives her citizenship and passport so no worries there. Good to know about the kids/ grandkids though!