British Citizenship

• Birth right: person was born in Great Britain and one of his parents is British citizen or ILR holder;
• By blood: person was born outside Great Britain and one of his parents is British citizen or ILR holder;
• Couple married for the minimum period of 5 years.
• Registration: children, whose parents were not the holders of ILR, as well as citizens from the former colonies;
• Naturalization;
• Adoption.

An alien lawfully residing in Great Britain for the minimum period of 5 years with one of visas (employment visa, student visa, business visa, investor visa) and ILR status has the right for citizenship obtaining when the following conditions are met:

• Lawful residence in Great Britain for the period of 6 years;
• Compliance with the UK immigration law until remaining in the territory of the UK;
• Submission of certificate confirming the absence of mental diseases;
• Adoption of respectable living habits;
• IELTS test
• Test on culture and customs of Great Britain;
• Attitude for further living and working in Great Britain.

There is a category of persons who cannot apply for British citizenship regardless of the fact of their actual presence in the national territory.  It includes diplomats and their family members, persons imprisoned in Great Britain, and persons who undergo treatment in psychiatric institutions in Great Britain.

The British government reserves the right to refuse citizenship, describing the reasons for refusal.

If the reason for refusal was the absence in the country for more than 2 years, but the alien has resident status, mitigating circumstances for him can be a serious illness, kidnapping, unlawful detention, riots in the country, etc.

 After completion of procedures and positive decision of British government an alien must take an oath of loyalty in a solemn ceremony. The ceremony is usually attended by other foreign nationals, as well as the leaders of the city in which the oath is taken.