Your three best opportunities to get a British passport and UK citizenship
UK nationality law is extraordinarily complex. If you think you may have a claim to British citizenship, it’s worth taking a free British citizenship assessment to check your chances and see your options. British citizenship claims from South Africans can go down many routes depending on your and your family circumstances.
Types of British citizenship
British citizens are generally classified as being British by descent or British otherwise than by descent. Citizens otherwise than by descent can pass on British citizenship to their children born overseas, but if you have gained citizenship by descent, then you cannot automatically pass on your citizenship to your children who are born abroad.
British citizens otherwise than by descent get their status by birth, registration, naturalisation in the UK (i.e. living and working in the UK for a qualifying time) or adoption.
Our citizenship experts have come across many different situations resulting in often unusual citizenship claims, so it’s always worth looking into your situation. There are, however, three routes that stand out as the most common ways to get a British passport.
1. British citizenship by descent
If one of your parents was born in the UK, you may be able to claim British citizenship by descent, as British citizenship is generally passed down a generation to children born outside the UK. If you were born inside the UK to a British parent, you’re usually automatically classified as a British citizen.
Your eligibility depends on your circumstances, and the route you take depends on which parent you use for your claim as well as their circumstances.
2. British citizenship by double descent
Claiming British citizenship through double descent involves lodging a citizenship application based on having a grandparent born in the UK. There are a variety of ways this can happen based on when you were born.
For example, if you were born after 1 January 1983 with a UK-born grandfather in Crown service at the time of your parent’s birth, a claim may be possible depending on your parents circumstances at the time of your birth.
There are other routes available if you were born before 1 January 1983 involving you or your parents being born in a former British territory, or your parent being in Crown service at the time of your birth.
Citizenship by double descent is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Every case needs to be assessed on an individual basis. Completing our British citizenship assessment is easy and free and will give you a look at your options for getting your British passport.
3. The Ancestry visa
A UK Ancestry visa is an excellent option for those who may not qualify for British citizenship. This visa allows you to live and work in the UK for five years. After five years, you may become eligible for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) which can lead to British citizenship.
The Ancestry visa also allows you to include your partner and dependants as part of your application. They will be allowed to work in the UK and qualify for indefinite leave to remain. Even if your family joins you later on, they can apply for indefinite leave to remain at the same time as you.
To get an Ancestry visa, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:
- One of your grandparents must have been born in the UK
- You must be a Commonwealth citizen
- You must intend to work in the UK
You must also be over 17 years old and be able to support yourself and your dependants financially while in the UK.
The Ancestry visa is an easy and relatively cost-effective way to immigrate to the UK should you have ancestral ties to the country but not directly qualify for British citizenship.
Dual nationality
Although holding both a South African and a British passport is possible, you will need to let Home Affairs know your intention before you get your second citizenship.
We’ve been assisting South Africans move to the UK since 1998. With our expertise in UK immigration law, we ensure your application has the greatest chance of success.
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