In some cases, British Citizenship by ‘double descent’ may be attainable where at least one of your grandparents was British or born in the UK. 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Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as British citizenship by Double Descent for those born after 01 January 1983. This will avoid … This meant that people were told they were not eligible for British citizenship because they were applying for it through their mother’s grandfather. In the UK Laws, there are provisions which permit an applicant to make a claim once their great grandparent or grandparent was born in the United Kingdom or is British. In this case they automatically retain their South African citizenship for life, unless, once they have reached the age of 18 they wish to acquire a further foreign citizenship – in which case they will have to apply for prior permission to retain their South African citizenship. British Citizenship by Double Descent. If you have acquired a second citizenship in addition to your South African citizenship and would like to know more about how you can maximise your finances through financial emigration, accessing your South African retirement annuity and our tailor-made tax solutions for South Africans around the world, contact FinGlobal today. Many South African citizens have some connection to the UK which may give rise to a basis on which they can apply for a visa to move to the UK. In this article, we would be looking at how any individual can be eligible to obtain a British Passport if they are qualified for the British Citizenship by Double Descent. Double descent claims are usually taken on a case-by-case basis. It is not like in the USA where every child born there is a USA citizen (if they can prove it). This means that he or she will, in turn, be able to transmit this status to future generations born either abroad or in the UK. Lv 7. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Richmond Chambers LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales and authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (licence number: 597974). Applications through the female line were to be dealt with on the same terms as applications for citizenship by descent from the father. Attach a file if it supports your enquiry. To qualify for a British passport through double descent and UK residence, the applicant needs to evidence the following: Applicants Vault copy of birth certificate. I then discovered a few days ago that the law changed in Jan 2010 to allow people under the age of 18 with a British-by-descent parent (who lived in the UK for at least two years) and British-born grandparent to register as British citizens. The change in the law affects all South Africans who have a mother who is British by descent. Have a grandparent who was born in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, on a British-registered ship or aircraft or in the Republic of Ireland before 31 March 1922; Intend to work or be self employed in the UK; Be able to maintain and accommodate yourself in the UK. There are a number of complexities in establishing whether a parent is British by descent and there are many different ways to acquire British citizenship. In such situations, the relevant father is considered as being British other than by descent and passes British citizenship to … Common applications include people who have: If you were born before January 1949 claims are a lot less common but can be valid if: If you are able to claim British citizenship, it is important to remember that in order to retain your South African citizenship you must get written permission from the Minister of Home Affairs prior to applying for your second citizenship. Following. For example, as a citizen of South Africa, you might have a British... To arrange an initial consultation meeting, call our immigration barristers on 0203 617 9173 or fill out the form below. Your email address will not be published. British Citizenship by Double Descent. This process is called claiming double descent. If you are looking into your family history to try to establish whether you are or may be British, this is something to be aware of. Post by amsj11991 » Fri Jul 03, 2020 5:52 pm Hi, I am currently looking into the right that my mom has to apply for British Citizenship by double descent. 1. If you have a British grandparent, and you are a Commonwealth citizen, then, even if you are not British, you may be able to come to the UK on the UK Ancestry visa route. 6 years ago. your mother inherited British citizenship … If you were born after 1 January 1983, you can claim citizenship if: If you were born before 1 January 1983, the situation becomes more complex and each case needs to be considered on an individual basis. Adults Born Before 1 Jan 1949 This meant that people were told they were not eligible for British citizenship because they were applying for it through their mother’s grandfather. There are exceptions for children born outside of the UK whose British parents were  in crown designated or EU service (sections 2(1)(b) and 2(1)(c) of the British nationality Act 1981). British citizenship by double descent - Grandparents. Inheriting British citizenship by double descent is just one such way. A British citizen by descent cannot automatically pass citizenship to a child born outside the UK. This is known as double descent. Claiming British citizenship by double descent. The British Nationality Act 1981 specifically defines the categories of people who are British citizens by descent. Applicants Parent(s) Vault copy of birth certificate. Based on the Romein supreme court ruling, certain persons will be eligible to be registered as a British citizen, via the so-called ‘double descent’ route. Browse: Citizenship and living in the UK A to Z. British citizenship . If you were born outside the UK and your British parent was British otherwise than by descent, for example, because she naturalised as a British citizen, you will be British by descent. Prior to the current Act coming into force in 1983, only British fathers were able to pass on citizenship as long as the birth was registered at a British consulate within a year. Only .doc or .pdf files. The first solution. However, if you would like to, you can change your cookie settings at any time. You or one of your parents was born in a former British colony. So, for example, if you were born outside the UK after 01 January 1983 and your British parent is British by descent, you will not be British by descent. Hi, Hope you well. There were different provisions for those who were born before 01 January 1983. Claiming British Citizenship by descent (grandparent) – also known as British Citizenship by double descent – is based on at least one of your grandparents being British. These individuals became British citizens by descent. Maggie. If an individual is over 18 and has made a successful application to become a British citizen, they will be required to attend a citizenship ceremony. If you are making an application under Section 6(1), you will need to demonstrate that your intention... One of the requirements in order to register or naturalise as a British Citizen is to be of ‘good character’. I missed this 6-month window of opportunity unknowingly (I turned 18 in June 2010). Immigration barrister members are also regulated by the Bar Standards Board. 0 0. British citizenship through Double Descent. Becoming a citizen, Life in the UK test and getting a passport. Some historic types of British nationality no longer exist. British Citizenship by Double Descent (Losing South African Domicility Pre 1949) British Citizenship by Double Descent (Marriage before 1949 with RoA) British Citizenship by Double Descent (Marriage - Mother in Law) British Citizenship by Double Descent (Mother Territory) British Citizenship by Double Descent (Mother with Abode) **Please note that FinGlobal cannot provide you with UK Visa and residency advice, however, we can definitely assist with your financial emigration and foreign exchange…. The British Nationality Act 1981 allows individuals to naturalise under either Section 6(1) or 6(2) of the Act. Delivering a judgment which makes no attempt to disguise his academic interests as a historian, Lord Sumption delivered a simple solution to a question of statutory interpretation that has been described as “impenetrable” by … Section 2 of the British nationality Act 1981 says: A person born outside the United Kingdom and the qualifying territories after commencement shall be a British citizen if at the time of the birth his father or mother— (a) is a British citizen otherwise than by descent; or [emphasis added] The effect of the words “otherwise than by descent” is that there can be no “double descent”. My father was South African, my mother Rhodesian. If you were born outside the UK, and so was your British parent, you are unlikely to be British by descent. What is British Citizenship by Double Descent? If your father was born in the UK after 1 January 1983 and was British at the time of your birth, then you are a British citizen at birth and by operation of law (that is, without any need to apply). Any British citizen not falling into one of these categories is a British citizen otherwise than by descent.The following are the main categories of persons who are British citizens by descent:Persons born since 1 January 1983 1. There are provisions in law allowing a claim if a grandparent or great grandparent was British or was born in the UK. Home » Are you eligible for British citizenship by double descent? If you were to ask someone on the street what the difference is between ‘citizenship by descent’ and ‘citizenship otherwise than by descent’, it is likely you will, understandably, see a few blank faces. That is, I believe that as my maternal grandmother was British born, I should be eligible via double descent. South African citizens that are under the age of 18 are exempt and do not have to apply for dual citizenship, as long as they acquire the foreign citizenship before their 18th birthday. Specific scenarios for children under 18 for example may apply and provide eligibility for double descent, but will not be available once the child turns 18 and becomes subject to adult nation… Since birth registrations at the British Consulate was permitted, it granted a potential route for citizenship by double descent in the male lines. Basically, her grandfather was born in Antigua and Barbuda, and emigrated to the Dominican Republic, where he got married (with a Dominican) and had children. I’ve read through the Romein case and as far as I can see it does not exclude claiming citizenship through the maternal line for more than one generation. Section 2 of the British nationality Act 1981 says: A person born outside the United Kingdom and the qualifying territories after commencement shall be a British citizen if at the time of the birth his father or mother—, (a) is a British citizen otherwise than by descent; or [emphasis added]. Adults Born After 1 Jan 1949. Unfortunately we cannot assist with general immigration queries as we only specialize in financial emigration. Applicants Grandparent full UK birth certificate. Copy of Applicants Parent(s) British passport. Subscribe to the FinGlobal newsletter to receive all the latest news and information regarding our services and South African Expats. The individual is required to attend a ceremony by law. A change in British nationality law means that thousands of South Africans, who were previously prevented from claiming British citizenship, are now able to. This is known as double descent. After years of gender discrimination in British nationality law which prevented thousands of South Africans from claiming British citizenship by double descent, the UK’s Supreme Court has fixed one of the injustices. To qualify for British Passport you must first be a British Citizen. You may already know that there are many unusual ways in which you could claim British citizenship. We use cookies to facilitate your use of our website. A query with respect to claiming citizenship by double descent. Born outside the United Kingdom who automatically acquired British citizenship at birth. Source(s): https://owly.im/a9aXv. To summarize, three conditions need to met for the applicant to consider this approach feasible. My maternal grandmother was born in London before World War I. I was born prior to 1983 in South Africa. Read the 350+ five out of five star Google reviews of our immigration barristers. Questions about British Citizenship by Double Descent EDIT : I was mistakenly titling this as a double-descent issue, when I suspect it's actually an ancestry visa I'm inquiring about. However, there are guidelines put in place which you can follow if you are looking to claim British citizenship by descent through a grandparent. In summary, you will need to: For expert advice regarding your entitlement to British Citizenship, contact our specialist nationality law barristers on 0203 617 9173 or via our contact form below. , those who had a mother who was British by descent can also benefit. You can claim British citizenship by double descent if you have a grandparent (and in rare cases a great-grandparent) born in the UK. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. British Citizenship By Double Descent. In 2003, this right was also applied retrospectively to those born before 1983. To the uninitiated, the rules on British citizenship can appear complex and sometimes confusing. Are you eligible for British citizenship by double descent? This new route to UK citizenship affects thousands of previously ineligible people across the world. We cover three scenarios relevant to a claim: Children Under 18. Evening. You can get your citizenship status on the basis of a parent’s or, in some cases, grandparent’s British nationality. Once you have made the move abroad you’re more than welcome to contact us to transfer any policies and assets from South Africa to your new home country. In extraordinary cases (like double descent) it’s especially crucial to have a registered British citizenship caseworker assess your case before you take the plunge and apply to the Home Office. By acquiring British citizenship by descent, you can become a UK national even if you were born abroad. The criteria for claiming this citizenship depends on when you were born as the … Charities, volunteering and honours You are not automatically British as British citizenship only passes down one generation outside the UK. The change in law puts an end to gender discrimination, which previously prevented UK citizenship from being transferred through the female line. If you do not do this, you automatically forfeit your South African citizenship when you acquire your British citizenship. British Citizenship by double descent, new ruling « on: August 21, 2018, 06:57:39 PM » Those born between 1949 and 1983, in a country that was not at the time in the British Commonwealth, and who has a maternal grandfather who was born in the UK, should now be able to register as a British citizen due to the recent Advocate General for Scotland v Romein ruling. If you have a British grandparent, and you are a Commonwealth citizen, then, even if you are not British, you may be able to come to the UK on the. FinGlobal unfortunately only assists with financial emigration matters and not general immigration queries. Until 1983, a person born outside British controlled territory who had a father who was British by descent could be British if their birth was registered at a British consulate. If you were born after 1 January 1983, you may have a claim to British citizenship if: You or a parent were born in a former British colony ; Your grandmother was born in the UK, and your relevant parent was registered as a child before 1983 ; You have a UK … Claim British citizenship by double descent There are provisions in law allowing a claim to British citizenship based on having a grandparent (and, in rare cases, a great grandparent) born in the UK. This means that if your mother inherited her British citizenship from her father, who was born in the UK, then you too could have claim to British citizenship. Maybe this will be of assistance: https://moveup.co.za/uk-visa-solutions/uk-visa-option-for-sa-passport-holders/uk-birth-rights-explained/grandparent-born-in-the-uk/, Your email address will not be published. The British Nationality Act 1981 introduced the right to pass on citizenship by descent through the female line for those born from 1 January 1983 onwards. This guidance tells Home Office staff how to consider whether an individual has an automatic claim to British citizenship. We suggest making contact with a reputable UK Visa business. Learn how your comment data is processed. The Home Office reviews any claim for British citizenship by descent and judges it on a case-by-case basis. We’ve got our finger on the pulse, making sure you’re up-to-date. Required fields are marked *. 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How can you qualify for British Citizenship by Double Descent and be eligible to get a British Passport? https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration, https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/british-overseas-territories-citizens-botc-nationality-guidance, https://moveup.co.za/uk-visa-solutions/uk-visa-option-for-sa-passport-holders/uk-birth-rights-explained/grandparent-born-in-the-uk/, The Living Annuity Lowdown: Here’s What You Need To Know, Four Things You Need to Know About Selling Your South African Property As An Expat, Your UK-born grandfather was in the Crown service at the time of your parent’s birth, Your parent had a UK-born mother (and this parent did not have a UK-born father) and was registered as a British citizen between 2 February 1979 and 31 December 1982, A parent was born in a former British colony, A parent in Crown service at the time of their birth, Being born, or having a parent born in a former British territory, Having parents married before 1949 with a paternal grandfather born in the UK, Your mother was married to a UK citizen before 1 January 1949 (even if the man was or was not your father). By visiting this website, you consent to our. Any suggestions would be useful. However, if your father was resident in the UK for at least three years, you could be eligible to be registered as a British citizen. Until 1983, a person born outside British controlled territory who had a father who was British by descent could be British if their birth was registered at a British consulate. Am l eligible to become a citizen. Citizenship by double descent; British nationality law allows claims to come from a UK-born grandparent (known as double descent). Following Advocate General for Scotland v Romein [2018] UKSC 6, those who had a mother who was British by descent can also benefit. This applies to anyone over the age of 10 at the date of application. Please could you give me further information about applying for British citizenship? There were different provisions for those who were born before 01 January 1983. Sign up and receive our latest expert briefings, case-law alerts and immigration guides. However all the emigration attorney sites state only “maternal grandfather” and the UK Home Office will only give me a response if I go ahead and lodge a UKM application – thus risking rejection with no idea of whether there is legal precedent for claiming via a maternal grandmother. Published 27 July 2017 Last updated 24 July 2019 + … You would have to do this before you turn 18 as … Failing to do so, they will automatically lose their South African citizenship. Welcome to Richmond Chambers. Claiming citizenship by double descent means you are claiming citizenship as a result of a UK-born grandparent. It is also important to note that British citizenship (which entitles a person to reside in the UK without immigration restrictions) is just one form of British nationality. 1981 allows individuals to naturalise Under either Section 6 ( 1 ) or 6 ( 2 ) of the “. 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