ILR vs British Citizen for Child Benefits ?

[skrn]

Hi team,

I am in process to apply for ILR (5 year route via skilled worker visa) along with wife in December 2023. My confusion is around child benefits for my 2 year old son (Born 22 Jan 2022 in UK).

- Once we receive ILR, is it worth registering him as a British Citizen or should we apply for his ILR ?
- What are the child benefits that he would be eligible if registered as a British citizen ?
- Would he qualify for 15/30 hours of free child care benefit (he would be 2 year old) ?
- Any other benefit that we should be aware of (tax-free child care doesn't apply due to high income)?
- Any issues with international travel, with him on British passport (with OCI card) and us on Indian passport ?

Appreciate your suggestions ...

[alterhase58]

Without doing detailed sums registering child British is much cheaper (about half) than applying for ILR.
I leave it to others to comment on the benefits aspects.

[secret.simon]

- Once we receive ILR, is it worth registering him as a British Citizen or should we apply for his ILR ?

The child does not need to have ILR if you plan to register them as a British citizen.

However, some Indian parents opt not to register their children as British citizens because doing so loses their child's Indian citizenship. In that case, you can apply for the child to have ILR.

That is your choice.

[Ticktack]

Hi team,

I am in process to apply for ILR (5 year route via skilled worker visa) along with wife in December 2023. My confusion is around child benefits for my 2 year old son (Born 22 Jan 2022 in UK).

- Once we receive ILR, is it worth registering him as a British Citizen or should we apply for his ILR ? Already addressed.
- What are the child benefits that he would be eligible if registered as a British citizen ? Nothing. Same things he gets whilst you're on ILR. Benefits are mostly family income based and eligibility (free from immigration restriction), which you get on ILR.
- Would he qualify for 15/30 hours of free child care benefit (he would be 2 year old) ? If he attends private nursery, then you can apply for that once you get ILR.
- Any other benefit that we should be aware of (tax-free child care doesn't apply due to high income)? Not sure what you mean. Provided you and your partner work, then you would be eligible for tax-free child care.

You can claim Tax-Free Childcare if: You have a child aged 0-11 years old (or until 16 if they are disabled) You, and any partner, must be over 16 and each expect to earn (on average) at least £167 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage).

Tax-Free Childcare is for working families to help towards the costs of childcare. You can get up to £500 every 3 months (up to £2,000 a year)
- Any issues with international travel, with him on British passport (with OCI card) and us on Indian passport ? Not sure why there would be. Your child is your child. Passport(s) held mean nothing.

Appreciate your suggestions ...