Path to citizenship
- Apply180-365 days
- Citizenshipgranted
Overview
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Program
- British Citizenship by Descent
- Type
- Citizenship by Descent
- Status
- Active
- Processing time
- 180-365 days
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Visa-free countries
- 182 destinations
- Passport rank
- #7 (Henley Index)
British citizenship automatically passes to children born abroad if at least one parent is a British citizen "otherwise than by descent" (i.e., born in the UK or naturalized). Limited to 1 generation of automatic transmission. Further generations may register under specific circumstances: historical gender discrimination (pre-1983 maternal line), unmarried father (pre-2006), or parent in Crown Service. "Double descent" registration (Form UKM) exists for limited cases.
Fees and costs
- Application fee
- $1,925
- Passport fee
- $112
Eligibility and requirements
- Police clearance required
- Medical exam not required
- Oath required
Ancestry requirements
- Generational limit
- 1 generation(s)
- Ancestor citizenship
- Must have been citizen
- Gender restriction
- maternal_pre_1983
Family
- Dependents
- Allowed
- Spouse
- Not included
- Max child age
- 18
Passport and mobility
- Passport rank
- #7 (Henley Index)
- Visa-free access
- 182 countries
- Passport validity
- 10 years
- EU citizenship
- No
- Schengen access
- No
- US E-2 treaty
- Yes — eligible for US investor visa
How to apply
- Method
- Online
- Apply from abroad
- Yes
- Application type
- Open
- Official website
- www.gov.uk
- Legal basis
- British Nationality Act 1981, Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009
Notes and caveats
Automatic transmission limited to 1 generation born abroad. A British citizen "by descent" (born abroad to British parent) CANNOT automatically pass citizenship to their own children born abroad. Registration routes exist for: children born to British mothers before 1983 (gender discrimination correction), children of unmarried British fathers born before July 2006, children where parent was in Crown/similar service, and some "double descent" cases (Form UKM/ARD). From April 8, 2026, adult registration is GBP 1,540 and child registration is GBP 1,000; ceremony fee remains GBP 130 where applicable. UK is no longer EU — no free movement in Europe.