1. Does the UK Offer Birthright Citizenship?
No, the UK does not offer automatic birthright citizenship (also known as jus soli, or “right of the soil”). Unlike countries like the United States, being born in the UK does not automatically make a child a British citizen. Instead, British citizenship by birth depends on the parents’ citizenship and immigration status at the time of the child’s birth.
2. Who Qualifies for British Citizenship by Birth?
Children born in the UK can acquire British citizenship at birth if at least one parent meets specific criteria:
- British Citizen Parent: If one parent is a British citizen, the child automatically qualifies for British citizenship, regardless of the other parent’s status.
- Settled Parent: If one parent has settled status, indefinite leave to remain (ILR), or permanent residence in the UK, the child qualifies for British citizenship at birth.
If neither parent is a British citizen or settled, the child will not automatically acquire British citizenship, even if born in the UK.
3. British Citizenship for Children Born to Immigrant Parents
Children born in the UK to parents who are immigrants may not automatically receive British citizenship. However, there are pathways for these children to apply for citizenship later:
- Children Born to Parents Who Later Become Settled: If a child is born in the UK to parents who later gain settled status or become British citizens, the child may be registered as a British citizen.
- Application for Registration as a British Citizen: A child who has lived in the UK for at least the first 10 years of their life may apply to be registered as a British citizen.
The child’s application must be approved by the Home Office, and additional documentation will be required.
4. Citizenship Pathways for Children Born in the UK After 10 Years
Children born in the UK who do not initially qualify for citizenship may be eligible for British citizenship under the “10-year rule.”
- 10-Year Residency Requirement: If a child lives in the UK for their first 10 years without leaving for extended periods, they can apply for British citizenship by registration.
- Absence Limits: During this period, the child must not have been outside the UK for more than 90 days in any given year.
This pathway allows children who have grown up in the UK to obtain British citizenship, even if their parents were not settled at the time of their birth.
5. Registration as a British Citizen for Children Born Outside the UK
Children born outside the UK to British parents may also be eligible for citizenship through registration, depending on their parents’ status:
- British Citizens by Descent: Children born outside the UK to British citizens may be eligible if they register as British citizens.
- British Citizens Not by Descent: Parents with British citizenship “not by descent” can pass citizenship directly to their children born outside the UK.
Application fees apply, and children must meet specific residency and documentation requirements to be eligible for registration.
6. Applying for British Citizenship for Children
For children who do not acquire British citizenship at birth, parents can apply for registration as a British citizen on their behalf. Here’s how to apply:
- Complete Form MN1: Form MN1 is required to register a child as a British citizen, typically for those who were born in the UK to non-British parents or parents who later became settled.
- Submit Required Documentation: Documentation includes the child’s birth certificate, proof of parents’ immigration status, and evidence of residency if applicable.
- Pay the Application Fee: The application fee for child registration is £1,012.
- Await Decision: Processing times vary, but applications generally take 6–9 months.
Successful applicants will receive a citizenship certificate, after which they can apply for a British passport.
7. Costs and Processing Times for British Citizenship Applications for Children
The fees and processing times for applying for British citizenship by registration are as follows:
- Application Fee: £1,012 per child for registration as a British citizen.
- Processing Time: Typically 6–9 months, but timelines may vary based on application volume and individual case details.
- Additional Fees: Other fees may apply, such as the biometric fee and document translation costs.
Budgeting for these fees and preparing required documentation helps streamline the application process.
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Does the UK automatically grant citizenship to children born in the UK?
A: No, a child born in the UK does not automatically acquire British citizenship unless at least one parent is a British citizen or has settled status.
Q2: Can a child born in the UK apply for citizenship if the parents become settled later?
A: Yes, if the parents acquire settled status or British citizenship later, the child may be eligible to apply for citizenship by registration.
Q3: How long does a child have to live in the UK to qualify for citizenship?
A: A child who lives in the UK for the first 10 years of their life may apply for British citizenship under the “10-year rule.”
Q4: Is there a fee to apply for British citizenship for children?
A: Yes, the application fee for registering a child as a British citizen is £1,012.
Q5: Can a child born outside the UK acquire British citizenship?
A: Yes, children born outside the UK may be eligible if they have a parent who is a British citizen, depending on the parent’s citizenship status.
Q6: What happens if the citizenship application for a child is denied?
A: If the application is denied, the family can request a review or reapply, often with the help of an immigration specialist for guidance.