British citizenship for Irish citizens

British Citizenship by Naturalisation Eligibility Requirements

For British Citizenship through Naturalization, you need to fulfil the following criteria:

• Ages 18 or higher
• Shouldn’t spend 450 days outside the UK for qualifying residency period
• Indefinite Leave to Remain for at least twelve months
• Should pass the Life in the UK test
• Must meet ‘good character’ requirements
• Fully abide by immigration conditions during your UK residency

How Can I Satisfy the Good Character Requirement for UK Citizenship as an Irish Citizen?

The Good Character requirement is essential to get UK citizenship to show that you are a law-abiding citizen. All candidates above the age of 10 are susceptible to ‘Good Character.’

The requirement will go through your criminal history and if you have followed all immigration conditions. Those with criminal offences might not qualify for British citizenship. The UK Home Office will not just evaluate your criminal record but also the contributions you make to society.

The documents you submit need to assess by the Home Office and must be in accordance with the administrative standards.

Documents required:

• Proof of your identity ( Passports, birth certificate, driving license, or specific travel documents)
• Proof of being a lawful resident in the UK during the qualifying period
• Proof that you have Indefinite Leave to Remain status in the UK
• Proof of your previous immigration status before UK immigration
• Letter of confirmation of Life in the UK test
• Details of other travels during the qualifying period

Eligibility for British Citizenship by Birth

Candidates born in the UK before 1982 qualify for automatic UK citizenship. For those born after 1982, there is no automatic qualification. For such candidates, it is important for one of the parents to have gotten British citizenship since the candidate was born and that the candidate has lived in the UK for at least 10 years.

If your parents are both Irish citizens at the time of your birth, you do not qualify for British citizenship by birth. Then, you can use the Naturalization process.

Eligibility for British Citizenship by Descent

If any one of your parents was a British Citizen at your birth you are eligible for British citizenship by descent. It is not important for you to be born in the UK for this instance. There are other laws for ‘British citizenship for a child born abroad.

Children born outside of the UK on or after 1st July 2006 to a British citizen at the time of your birth have the right to British citizenship automatically. This depends on how the parent managed to get UK citizenship. If they are born or adopted in the UK and have applied for citizenship, then they are eligible or if they are working for the crown during your birth.

For descent and double descent, you must fulfil guidelines with regards to when you and your grandparents were born.

Indefinite Leave to Remain and British Citizenship – What is the Difference?

The ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) offers permanent residence and awards you with settled status in the UK. This allows you to work and live as you please. This is for those candidates who have spent five years in the UK.

The ILR still does not give you complete rights like a British citizen. If you were to spend a couple of years outside the UK, your ILR would be revoked. However, ILR is important to apply for British citizenship.

British citizens are allowed to leave the UK without any problems. Candidates can apply for a British passport and enjoy complete rights.

British citizenship permits you the right to vote, referenda, and stand for public office.

When Can I Apply for British Citizenship?

To apply for UK citizenship, you must first get ILR which requires you to live in the UK for five years. Then you must have ILR for at least 12 months to apply for UK citizenship.

Those who have used the marriage route do not have to wait for 12 months and can apply for citizenship as soon as they get ILR.

Candidates who spend more than 90 days out of the UK in the 12 months between ILR and citizenship do not qualify to apply.

Meet the eligibility criteria for your preferred route.

• Prepare the portfolio of evidence
• Complete application form

For Naturalization, you need to fill out AN-Application for Naturalization as a UK citizen. The form includes:

• Financial Information
• UK residency
• Employment Status
• Immigration Permission

If the information is incomplete or faulty, it can result in rejection. The best way to ensure acceptance is to hire an expert.

Will I Need to Provide Details of a Referee?

Candidates are required to give details of two referees. This helps the Home Office cross-checks the information you provide. The referees are to sign on the application form you submit. You and your referees should be acquainted for three years and shouldn’t have a criminal record for the last ten years.

One of your referees should have a professional position, while the other must be a British national above the age of 25.

The immigration professional representing you cannot be your referee. They must also not work for UKVI.

Irish citizens can apply for British citizenship while maintaining their Irish citizenship. Dual citizenship allows you to enjoy the benefits of citizenship of both countries.

Candidates who are planning to apply for citizenship in another country that doesn’t support dual nationality or triple nationality in the future will have to renounce citizenship of one country.

How Long Does the British Citizenship Application Process Take?

There is no defined time for the applications. However, the UK home office assures the processing of applications within the first six months of their submission.

Applicants can expect a decision after three and six months when the Home Office receives the application.

It can take a little longer for complex applications. For applications that fail to fulfil the requirement, the turnaround can be longer as the Home Office will ask for more information.

This is the most recent British Citizenship Application fee that Irish Citizens need to pay:

• £1,330 for British citizenship by naturalization
• £1,206 for nationality registration
• £80 for the citizenship ceremony
• £5 for the administration of a citizenship oath

Can I Renounce my British Citizenship?

It is permissible for Irish Nationals to renounce their British citizenship.

However, you don’t have to renounce your British citizenship if you apply for citizenship elsewhere. You can hold more than one citizenship if the countries permit.

The renouncing of citizenship in Britain will not affect any of your immediate family members, but the same cannot be said for future children you may have.

Irish citizens can renounce their British citizenship if:

• They are over 18 years of age
• Have other citizenship or nationality
• Acquire citizenship or nationality of some other country

You may receive a ‘Declaration of Renunciation’ certificate as soon as the renouncement application is accepted. It is proof that you no longer own British citizenship.

The application for British citizenship can be a grueling process, and you must take help from experts to ensure everything goes smoothly and you get the results you desire. Irish Nationals should contact Total Law today!