Immigration Corner | Resuming British citizenship after a renunciation

Dear Mr Bassie,

I would like to know if it is possible to resume your British nationality after having renounced it. If possible could you please explain the process.

Thanks.

J.S.

Dear J.S.,

In some cases, it is possible for a person to resume their British nationality after renouncing it. It is advisable for those persons to first read the guidance online to check if they are eligible to apply.

APPLYING

Persons should fill in the form online and usually they will be able to keep their documents while their application is being processed. Those persons who live in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory, will have to apply in person or by post instead. They are advised to check which they can do with their Governor’s office. Those persons who live elsewhere, may apply by post. However, it is recommended to avoid applying by post, especially if the documents are needed back by a specific date.

Online help

Persons should be aware that they can get help with completing the online form if they do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device and/or if they do not have access to the Internet. Please note that persons can only use this service if they are applying from within the United Kingdom (UK) and that they cannot get immigration advice through this service.

Fees

The applicants will be required to pay the fee for registration and should be aware that the fee will not be refunded if their application is refused.

Supporting documents

In support of their application persons will need to provide the following:

• A copy of their declaration of renunciation (either form RN1 or R6)

• Their passport, or certificate of naturalization or registration for their current citizenship or nationality

• an official letter or statement from the country that he/she is currently a citizen or national of saying that if he/she had not given up their British citizenship they would have lost or failed to get their current citizenship or nationality

Persons who gave up United Kingdom and Colonies citizenship will also need to provide:

• the birth, naturalization or registration certificate of the person they have the connection to the UK with, and evidence of their relationship to that person, for example a birth, marriage or civil partnership certificate

• evidence that they gave up citizenship because they believed they would be deprived of their citizenship of a Commonwealth country unless they did so - this should be a separate letter explaining this plus any supporting documents

Further, persons may have to provide different documents if they originally gave up citizenship for a reason other than they had lost or failed to get citizenship of another country. Please note that they will be told if they need to do this.

PROVIDING BIOMETRIC INFORMATION AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

When applying, persons will be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide their biometric information that is their fingerprints and a photograph. Persons will also need to submit their supporting documents. They can either upload them into the online service or have them scanned at their UKVCAS appointment.

It is important to note that applicants must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until they get a decision. If they do so their application will be withdrawn.

Just for completeness, please note that if applying from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory persons will be told how to provide their biometric information and supporting documents when applying.

I hope this helps.

John S. Bassie

John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Court-appointed mediator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator, the past global president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (U.). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com