Applying For Your First UK Passport From Canada

How To Apply for a UK Passport

The steps you need to take in order to obtain a UK passport from Canada will differ based on whether or not you have already obtained a certificate of British citizenship.

There are two main ways you will apply for a UK passport from Canada. One is if you already have British citizenship and just need to obtain your first British passport.

The other, if you don’t yet have British citizenship, will be a long process.

In this case, you must apply for citizenship first. You can only do this if you qualify for citizenship by birth, descent, or through having a settled status or indefinite leave to remain with adequate time spent in the UK.

How to Obtain a UK Passport When You Have Canadian-British Dual Citizenship

If you already have Canadian-British dual citizenship but you don’t have a passport, this means most likely you have recently finished the process of naturalisation.

During your British citizenship ceremony, you will have been given your certificate of naturalisation. If you attended a digital ceremony this certificate would have been mailed to you.

In order to apply for your UK passport, you will need to submit the original certificate of naturalisation to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) along with the application for your passport. You will need to apply with the overseas British passport application when you are in Canada. Once your UK passport is approved, your current passport and the documents you submitted will be sent back to you by post.

When you are ready to apply for the new British passport you will need to take the following steps:

• Get a digital passport photo
• Provide application details (If you’re applying on behalf of someone else such as a child, you will fill in their application details)
• Gather your supporting documents
• Pay your passport fees
  • A standard passport is £86 for an adult and £56 for a child, plus a £19.86 courier fee
• If required, have your identity confirmed
• Apply in person or fill out the application form and mail in your original documents
• Track your passport application online until your passport is delivered
• Receive your original documents back at the mailing address you provided

How to apply for a UK Passport If You Don’t Have Canadian-British Dual Citizenship

If you don’t yet have Canadian-British Dual Citizenship, then you will need to obtain British nationality before you can apply for a new passport.

Before applying, you will want to review your eligibility and gather the required documents. Obtaining all of the documents necessary can take a while if you do not have them readily on hand, and you will need to have certified translated copies of any documents that were not originally in English.

The quickest and easiest way to apply for UK citizenship is to apply online through the UK government website. The online application will prompt you to enter all the details of your identity and request for citizenship in the United Kingdom in addition to your travel history and the basis for your citizenship request, such as details of your family members in the UK.

When you apply online you will need to upload the documents you gathered into the online system to be reviewed.

After submitting your online application you will need to make an appointment at a visa application centre to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph) taken. This step is necessary in order to receive your Biometric Residence Permit in the United Kingdom.

You will need to pick up your BRP within 10 days of arriving in the UK once your visa is approved as this is part of your identifying documentation that shows you are permitted to be in the country.

It is best to go to an application centre to obtain your new passport photo rather than attempt to take it yourself. Passport photos must meet certain criteria and if you don’t meet these standards, your application may be rejected. British passport photos must be taken in the following format:

• Photo must be a minimum of 600×600 pixels when applying online
• Photo must be in full colour
• Photo must be current
• Photo must be in focus, not blurry
• Photo must have a solid white (plain) background

When taking the photo, you will need to face forward and look straight into the camera with a neutral facial expression. You should have your eyes open and your mouth closed. Your hair cannot be obstructing your face and applicants may not smile or frown. You are not permitted to wear any hats, accessories, or glasses that are not medically necessary.

Generally, you will receive the decision on your application within six months. You may be able to utilize a passport service to secure a faster delivery time for an additional fee once you. have your citizenship certificate.

The processing time may be delayed in some situations. Common reasons for delays can include:

• Lack of complete documentation
• Lack of sufficient evidence that you meet financial requirements
• If you have a criminal conviction or other situation that needs to be investigated further
• If UKVIS requires further information

You should be notified if your application is experiencing processing delays. If further support is requested from you after you have submitted your application to UKVI, you will need to reply promptly following the guidelines given to avoid the delay or refusal of your citizenship.

If you do not yet have British citizenship you will need to be able to prove with evidence that you possess several attributes.

1. You will need to be able to prove that you are of good character and sound mind. Measures of your character include financial and criminal records. These will be examined by UKVI along with other details of your background.
2. You may be required to prove your knowledge of English by passing a test at level B1, or by presenting evidence of a higher education degree taught or researched in English.
3. You will have to meet the residency requirement to apply for UK citizenship. Generally, you will need to have been present in the UK on a continuous basis for five years before applying for citizenship. During the five years, you should not have been abroad for more than 450 days, or 90 days in the year before you apply.

As part of your application for British citizenship, you may need to provide personal details and documents including:

• Your full name and date of birth
• Expired passports and prior travel or immigration information
• Two standard passport-sized photos
• Details of criminal convictions if applicable
• Evidence supporting your claim for citizenship, such as your parents marriage certificate
• A current and valid passport
• Proof that you will be able to support yourself financially without the use of public funds, such as bank statements and payslips from your employer
• Birth certificate or adoption certificate, if applicable
• Evidence of any name changes for you or your family that are associated with your application such as a marriage certificate
• Certified translated copies of all documents that were not originally in English such as birth certificate, adoption certificate, marriage certificate

There are several steps in the application process to obtain British citizenship in order to get a UK passport:

1. Pay The Citizenship Application Fees and Other Fees
2. Submit Your Application And Documents Online Or By Mail
3. Life In the UK Test
4. Book Your Biometric Appointment
5. Attend A Citizenship Ceremony
6. Apply For Your UK Passport

As you can see the entire process can be complex. If you would like stress-free assistance with your application for British citizenship, contact Total Law today. Speak to one of our expert immigration advisers regarding your citizenship process. Call +1 844 290 631 or use the online contact form to get in touch.