For many migrants, applying for British citizenship or nationality might be the final step in their immigration process. Obtaining British citizenship offers you complete rights to live, work, and travel in the United Kingdom. You can visit and exit the nation freely and enjoy the status that comes with such prestigious citizenship. Citizenship is seldom withdrawn; therefore, getting British citizenship will provide you and your family with security.

Many immigrants share their experiences of how they came to love the UK, the nation they selected, and how British principles have shaped who they are now. The legal and social standing that comes with British citizenship will then be sought after by many, who want to be treated equally for the rest of their life in the nation they have now made their home. They desire British citizenship for themselves but for their children.

EU Settlement Scheme 

Given that millions of EU citizens have successfully applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, why are we talking about citizenship?

Millions of EU residents now residing in the UK intend to keep living there and contributing to society, as evidenced by the number of applications that have been accepted into the EU Settlement Scheme.

However, the legal and social standing that comes with British citizenship is not the same as immigrant status. We have seen a significant desire among EU residents in the UK to be treated equally to their British wives, families, friends, and coworkers during the past five years.

They aspire to be a part of the society they support. They desire to be represented in Parliament. They want the UK's identity to meet the highest standards. They desire for their children to grow up in Britain in a stable and secure condition.

Since 2016, there have been more than twice as many EU citizens applying each year for registration and naturalisation as there were from 2004 to 2016.

What are the obstacles for EU citizens in obtaining British citizenship?

Due to the intricacy of British nationality legislation, the road to citizenship is needlessly difficult for aspirants to negotiate. The application procedure is viewed by many EU residents as unpredictable and largely disconnected from reality.

The main obstacles EU citizens are facing include:

1. Complicated qualifying requirements: The qualifying requirements for EU nations to become British Citizens are rather complicated. This includes a distinct application process for adults (naturalisation) and kids (registration), as well as the absence of birthright citizenship. 

2. Expensive Application process: While the Home Office charges £372 for naturalisation, the cost of application is £1,330, the highest of the nations we looked at (Australian costs are £162, German costs are $234, and US costs are $570). If failed, there is no reimbursement of the cost;

3. Continuous lawful residence not a part of good character requirement: It affects the evaluation of their continuous lawful residence as part of the good character requirement, which discourages many from applying for fear of losing their application fee if they are rejected due to this technicality. 

4. The most vulnerable EU nationals are prevented from applying since there is no legal assistance available to support applicants;

5. Those who desire to naturalise after receiving established status face an unnecessary eligibility obstacle due to the more stringent naturalisation eligibility requirements than under the EU Settlement Scheme;

6. The "Life in the UK" test is not a means of educating aspirant British citizens or preparing them to live in the UK.

It's important to note that there is an additional barrier for citizens of Slovakia, Austria, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Poland. The UK government cannot change the fact that certain EU nationals must give up their native citizenship in order to become British citizens since their country does not permit dual citizenship. In some circumstances, however, they may be granted an exception.

Application procedure for British citizenship

Online applications for British citizenship are accepted by individuals in other nations. You'll need to fill out an online application form and respond to all of the relevant questions. You can download it and make modifications before applying.

The type of citizenship application you are making will dictate the type of British citizenship application form you use. In the UK, the vast majority of citizenship applications are handled online. You should choose the appropriate citizenship application type as a candidate before completing the online form. You will be able to upload supporting papers, make a biometric appointment, and make payments online through a different site.

You may still fill out and mail in certain paper application forms. For instance, Form AN is the appropriate form for naturalisation, while Form MN1 is the appropriate form for registering a minor child. It is encouraged that applicants do not utilise the postal application unless absolutely necessary.

What forms of identification are required to apply for British citizenship?

It takes a lot of paperwork to become a British citizen. The following paperwork must be included with an application:

• Your passport or other travel authorization along with an active ID card (if applicable)

• You must provide documentation proving your indefinite leave to remain.

• Proof of your English language proficiency

• Your Life in the United Kingdom exam completion certificate

• Your marriage licence or civil partnership certificate (if applicable)

• six years' worth of pay stubs, or five years if you were married to a British citizen, six years' worth of P60s, or five years if you were married to a British citizen (if P60s do not cover the whole period)

• Self-assessment statements for each of the last six/five years are required of candidates who are self-employed.

What are the advantages of obtaining British citizenship?

There are several advantages to becoming a citizen of the UK. The mental comfort that comes from knowing that, regardless of future government acts, you have the same right to remain in the UK as someone who was born here is one of the most important advantages.

Other advantages are:

• You are allowed to enter and exit the UK whenever you like.

• You have the right to participate completely in all municipal and general elections, including casting your ballot.

• You'll have access to all state benefits, including healthcare.

We're here to assist you

For many people who have emigrated to the UK and made a life for themselves, the day they are qualified to apply for British citizenship marks the culmination of years of preparation and hard work. After putting so much work into the procedure, it can be distressing to be rejected for citizenship. Therefore, it is crucial to submit a strong naturalisation application to raise the chances of success. At A Y & J Solicitors, we can help you put together a strong application and compile the necessary paperwork. Numerous customers have received active assistance from our knowledgeable immigration attorneys in order to establish themselves in the UK. Please get in touch with us if you want further details. Check here ​​Top 10 Immigration Lawyers in London UK