Children born outside UK and Father is British

[razian97]

Hi everyone,

I have a question:

If a father is a British citizen living in the UK, but his wife and two sons live abroad and have never been to the UK, can they apply for the wife's British citizenship and the children's registration from outside the UK? Both sons were born before the father obtained ILR and British citizenship.

[CR001]

but his wife and two sons live abroad and have never been to the UK, can they apply for the wife's British citizenship and the children's registration from outside the UK? Both sons were born before the father obtained ILR and British citizenship.

No, they have no entitlement to citizenship. The wife and sons (if children are under 18) need to apply for spouse and child settlement visas, live in the UK for 5 years (2 x 2.5 year visas) then apply for ILR before you can even think about citizenship.

There is no shortcut route for the wife or children. Unsure why you believe this is possible.

[contorted_svy]

Children are not British and as it stands, without knowing anything about wife's immigration status, they all need a visa to come to the UK.

[razian97]

but his wife and two sons live abroad and have never been to the UK, can they apply for the wife's British citizenship and the children's registration from outside the UK? Both sons were born before the father obtained ILR and British citizenship.

No, they have no entitlement to citizenship. The wife and sons (if children are under 18) need to apply for spouse and child settlement visas, live in the UK for 5 years (2 x 2.5 year visas) then apply for ILR before you can even think about citizenship.

There is no shortcut route for the wife or children. Unsure why you believe this is possible.

Thanks, CR001.

I've been following you on this forum since 2012 and consider myself one of your oldest fans. I couldn't believe it, so I asked the question on behalf of a relative. His argument was that it was possible.

I appreciate your time. Thanks!