British Nationality, Citizenship and Naturalisation. What does it all mean and what are the differences? 

By 1st 4Immigration - #1 UK Immigration Experts -
Naturalisation is a path to Citizenship. And Citizenship is one of the types of British nationality. We'll start from the one with the broadest meaning -Nationality.

1) British nationality. It consists of British Citizenship, which is the most common type. This is what people mean when they say "I want to apply for a British passport". 

A British Citizen has all the rights to live in the UK, to have a British passport etc. 

There are other types of British nationality, usually based on Britain's past as a British Empire. There are British Overseas Citizens, British Citizens (Overseas), British Subjects and British Protected Persons. These are NOT British citizens and do not have a right to live in the UK. Most are subject to the immigration control in the same way as Australian, American or Chinese nationals. Some can register to become British Citizens and get a 'proper' British passport. 

2) British Citizenship. As above, it is the most common (and most desirable) type of British Nationality. 

British Citizenship can be achieved through either Naturalisation or Registration. 

3) Naturalisation. It is a way of acquiring British Citizenship in your own right. After being settled in the UK (having an ILR) and spending a least 5 years in the UK one can become a British citizen through Naturalisation. This is not connected to the person's family at all. Result will be a British Citizen, then a UK passport (a 'passport book'). 

Compare with Registration, the other way of acquiring Citizenship: children under 18 yo become British through Registration, based on their parents' status. For example, when their parents are applying for Naturalisation on AN form, the child(ren) could apply at the same time for Registration on MN1 form (look at the forms and you'll see adults' form says Naturalisation while the children's form says Registration). 

Of a child is born in the UK to parent(s) on a Tier 1 visa can be registered as British once at least one parent gets an ILR. 

The are limited situations when an adult can become British through Registration. For example, those born before 1983 to a British mother. 

For more advice or to make an application please contact us: info@1st4immigration.com or visit www.1st4immigration.com 

If you are an Immigration Adviser or a Solicitor please visit our CDP training website: www.1st4immigration.com/training 

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