Important notice for EEA Nationals applying for British Citizenship

This means that applications from customers, who do not have the required documents will be refused, the application fee retained and only the ceremony fee of £80 will be refunded.

In short, from 1 August 2016, if you are applying for a British Citizenship application as an EEA national or their family member, and you do not have the requisite document confirming that you have Permanent Residence, the UK Home Office will consider the application, retain the fee paid (except for the ceremony fee), and refuse the application on the basis that the Permanent Residence requirement was not met.

Previously, and up till 1 August 2016, the UK Home Office would have refused the application, but would have refunded the full fee paid.

It is thus important that EEA nationals applying for British Citizenship take note of the Permanent Residence requirement, as from 1 August 2016, the application will be refused and the fee paid retained.

Background to the Permanent Residence requirement

BIC have on a number of previous occasions informed its EEA national clients of the Permanent Resident requirement.

In the past, EU citizens who have been exercising the EU treaty rights in the UK for six years or longer could apply for UK citizenship straight away, together with their family members. However, since 12 November 2015, if a person with Permanent Residence in the UK (Indefinite Leave to Remain) wishes to apply for British Citizenship under the EEA provisions, he or she first have to apply for a Permanent Residence Card.

EEA Nationals and their family members, who have been living in the UK for the required period, are thus no longer able to apply for British Nationality straight away. They first have to apply for Permanent Residence. This change in the UK Immigration Rules was introduced by the British Nationality (General) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations 2015.

www.bic-immigration.com or info@bic-immigration.com