Who qualifies
- Already BritishBorn abroad on or after January 1, 1983 to a parent who was British “otherwise than by descent”That usually means your parent was born, adopted or naturalized in the UK. You became British by descent at birth. If your only British parent is your father and he wasn’t married to your mother, this applies only if you were born on or after July 1, 2006.
- Already BritishBorn abroad before 1983 to a British father married to your motherIf he could pass on citizenship, for example because he was born in the UK, you’re likely British already.
- Can registerBorn abroad before 1983 to a British motherBefore 1983 women couldn’t pass on citizenship like men. You can register, paying only the £130 citizenship ceremony fee.
- Can registerBorn before July 1, 2006 to a British father not married to your motherYou weren’t British automatically, but you can register on form UKF, paying only the £130 citizenship ceremony fee. Born on or after July 1, 2006? An unmarried British father usually passes on citizenship automatically, but if your mother was married to someone else when you were born, you may need to register on form UKF.
- SometimesSecond generation born abroadIf your parent was themselves British by descent, you’re not British automatically. Some children can be registered, usually before they turn 18 and depending on time lived in the UK.
What “by descent” means
If you became British because your parent was British, you’re British “by descent”. You have the same rights as any British citizen, but you usually can’t pass it on automatically to children born outside the UK.
What a British passport gives you
The right to live and work in the UK, use the NHS when you live there, and live and work in Ireland under the Common Travel Area. Since Brexit it no longer gives you the right to live in the EU. For that you’d need an EU passport: see what an EU passport lets you do.
Living there
A British passport gives you the right to live and work in the UK, and in Ireland under the Common Travel Area. Since Brexit it no longer gives the right to live and work in the EU.
Not eligible? The long way round
If descent doesn’t work for you, you can still become a citizen by living in the United Kingdom and applying to naturalize. It takes longer, but it’s open to anyone who meets the conditions.
A shortcut for people with a British grandparent
Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the UK, including Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, South Africans and Jamaicans, can get a UK Ancestry visa: 5 years with the right to do any work, then settlement. Great-grandparents don’t count.
- Time living there first
- 5 years in the UK, then usually 12 months with settlement (indefinite leave to remain) before you can apply.
- Language and tests
- English at B1 level and the Life in the UK test.
- Keep your current passport?
- Yes. The UK allows dual citizenship.
- Main ways to get residence
- Irish citizens can move freely under the Common Travel Area. Others need a visa, such as a Skilled Worker, family or UK Ancestry visa.
On November 2, 2026 the government confirmed that the usual wait for settlement will rise from 5 to 10 years, with shorter waits for some people and longer for others. The detailed rules haven’t been published yet. Citizenship costs £1,839, including the ceremony.
General information, not immigration advice. Residence rules change often, so check the official source before you plan a move. Sources: GOV.UK: apply for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain; Home Office: UK Ancestry caseworker guidance (August 2026); GOV.UK: earned settlement consultation and government response (2 November 2026).
Sources
- GOV.UK: Apply for citizenship if you have a British parent, born between 1983 and 2006 (Open Government Licence v3.0)
- GOV.UK: Apply for citizenship if you have a British parent (Open Government Licence v3.0)
- Home Office: Children of British parents, nationality policy guidance, version 9.0, August 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0)