It’s a good week when you receive the news that your client has been granted his BRITISH NATIONALITY APPLICATION. 

A client of ours came to us during the covid pandemic hoping for a miracle. He had very limited documents and little-to-no memory of his childhood and how he came to the UK. We were instructed to make a British Nationality Application based on him being here for over 50 years. He came to the UK on a parent’s passport, from Kenya. 

Kenya was a British colony and therefore this was an application based on him being from a British colony between the period of 1 January 1949 to 31 December 1982.

Under the British Nationality Act 1948, status was acquired by:

1. Birth in the UK or a colony (which does not include birth in the dominions or children of enemy aliens and diplomats). The immigration status of the parents was irrelevant.
2. Naturalisation or registration in the UK or a colony or protectorate.
3. Legitimate descent from a CUKC father for children born elsewhere. Only the first generation acquired British nationality automatically. Second and subsequent generations could do so only if born outside the Commonwealth (or Ireland) and registered within 12 months of birth or if the father was in Crown service
4. Declaration
5. Marriage

Citizens of Commonwealth countries, British subjects and Irish citizens were entitled to register as citizens of the UK and colonies after one year’s residence in the UK and colonies. This period was increased to five years in 1962.

Other persons were required to apply for naturalisation after five years of residence.

If you need any assistance with your application, feel free to contact us for a FREE 15 MINUTES CONSULTATION.