British parents by descent - can I be naturalised?

[ek875000]

Both of my parents were born in Canada, however both sets of their parents are fully British so they have British citizenship by descent.

I have lived in England nearly my whole life (since 1995 when we all moved here), except for 1 year I spent as an au pair in Denmark and then a subsequent 2 years I studied in Denmark. Upon completing my studies, I returned home and during my studies I made several trips back and forth to England.

I have been trying to make sense of the jargon on the UK Home Office's website, but I don't fully understand if I qualify for naturalisation or not. I have been back in the country now for three years. I just don't want to spend £800 and then get my application rejected!

Any help or advice you could give would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

[Amber]

Both of my parents were born in Canada, however both sets of their parents are fully British so they have British citizenship by descent.

I have lived in England nearly my whole life (since 1995 when we all moved here), except for 1 year I spent as an au pair in Denmark and then a subsequent 2 years I studied in Denmark. Upon completing my studies, I returned home and during my studies I made several trips back and forth to England.

I have been trying to make sense of the jargon on the UK Home Office's website, but I don't fully understand if I qualify for naturalisation or not. I have been back in the country now for three years. I just don't want to spend £800 and then get my application rejected!

Any help or advice you could give would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

If you were born outside the United Kingdom or qualifying territory and your parents were British citizens by descent, you are not a British citizen.

How old are you?

[ek875000]

If you were born outside the United Kingdom or qualifying territory and your parents were British citizens by descent, you are not a British citizen.

How old are you?

I understand that - I'm fully aware that I'm a Canadian citizen. I have held ILR in the UK since 1995. My question is: if I apply to become naturalised, will I be accepted?

I am now 25, hence my confusion as to whether I can qualify to apply for naturalisation seeing as my parents are both British citizens (although by descent).

[Amber]

If you were born outside the United Kingdom or qualifying territory and your parents were British citizens by descent, you are not a British citizen.

How old are you?

I understand that - I'm fully aware that I'm a Canadian citizen. I have held ILR in the UK since 1995. My question is: if I apply to become naturalised, will I be accepted?

I am now 25, hence my confusion as to whether I can qualify to apply for naturalisation seeing as my parents are both British citizens (although by descent).

If you are settled (have ilr) then providing you have been resident for the last 5 years in the uk (assuming you're not married/civil p to a British citizen) and you meet the other criteria you can naturalise as a British citizen and be a dual Canadian citizen.

[ek875000]

If you are settled (have ilr) then providing you have been resident for the last 5 years in the uk (assuming you're not married/civil p to a British citizen) and you meet the other criteria you can naturalise as a British citizen and be a dual Canadian citizen.

From 2008-2010, I was studying abroad though. I know they make some exemptions in certain circumstances - is studying abroad one of them or will I have to just wait until the full 5 years before applying?

[Amber]

If you are settled (have ilr) then providing you have been resident for the last 5 years in the uk (assuming you're not married/civil p to a British citizen) and you meet the other criteria you can naturalise as a British citizen and be a dual Canadian citizen.

From 2008-2010, I was studying abroad though. I know they make some exemptions in certain circumstances - is studying abroad one of them or will I have to just wait until the full 5 years before applying?

See here for discretion on absences -http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/briti ... cesfromuk/

Be aware in the future, if its applicable, when leaving the uk whilst 'settled' http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas ... residents/