How Some EU Nationals Can Qualify For British Citizenship Without A PR Card

Today the Brexit Bill was given its Royal Assent and is now law. British Prime Minister, Theresa May is expected to trigger Article 50 at the end of this month.

The time for burying heads in the sand has passed. Brexit is happening.

Given that the Liberal Democrats recently reported that more than a quarter of EU Permanent Resident Card applications were rejected by the Home Office in the last half of 2016, it is encouraging to note that there are other ways for EU nationals to obtain British Citizenship. By taking advice from experienced Immigration lawyers, you have the best chance of successfully gaining naturalisation.

At OTS Solicitors, our dedicated team of EU Immigration lawyers are here to ensure the best representation and outcome for you and your family at every stage of the Immigration process.

If you think you may require urgent assistance with your Brexit, EU or EEA Immigration matter, please contact our Brexit Hotline Team:

Brexit Hotline: 0203 959 9123

Our Brexist specialist lawyers recently concluded two cases successfully involving EU nationals gaining British Citizenship using alternative routes to applying for and obtaining a permanent residence Card. If you believe you have specific factors that could result in the permanent residence route being circumvented, our Immigration solicitors will examine your situation and advise you on the best course of action to take.

Case 1 - Indefinite Leave to Remain

The first case we oversaw involved a German national born in 1980 in South Africa to a German mother and Austrian father. In 1987, he moved to Britain with his family. His mother was issued a Residence Permit for a National of a Member State of the European Economic Community.

Our client was endorsed under his mother’s Residence Permit and in 1993 he was also granted Indefinite Leave to Remain at the same time as his mother.

The client wished to apply for British Citizenship and had clearly satisfied all the application requirements. He was of good character with no criminal record and he had passed the ‘Life in the UK’ test. Having lived in Britain since a child and was fluent in English.

Our client had already made the UK his home. Having lived in the country for 19 years, he was employed full time in the UK and was senior in his organisation. The UK was the only country he has any real connection to, having never lived in the country of his nationality.

Once he had obtained British Citizenship, he fully intended to continue basing his life in the UK.

Our Immigration lawyers applied for British Citizenship on behalf of her client and attached a covering letter, explaining her client’s background and situation. Her client was swiftly granted British Citizenship without having to obtain permanent residence card first.

Case 2 – The applicant’s mother was a British national

The second case involved British naturalisation concerned two siblings who were Italian nationals.

Their mother was born in the UK to British parents and is British by birth. She then married her Italian husband and moved to Italy. At the time our clients were born, the law did not provide for women to pass their nationality to their children. For this reason, the siblings were only able to take Italian nationality.

However, the rules have now changed and children of British mothers may now acquire citizenship through registration if they meet the other eligibility criteria such as having ‘good character’.

Again, our Immigration lawyers applied for British Citizenship on behalf of her client providing an explanation to the Home Office regarding her clients’ background and situation and the result was positive.

In summary

With so many EU nationals wanting to solidify their right to remain in the UK after Britain leaves the EU, it is comforting to know that depending on your circumstances, there may be other options available if you fail to meet the criteria for permanent residence. It is therefore crucial that you talk to an experienced Immigration solicitor who can give you the best advice on your options for becoming naturalised.

OTS Solicitors is one of the most respected Immigration law firms in London. By making an appointment with one of our Immigration solicitors, you can be assured of receiving some of the best legal advice available in the UK today. We can assist you in applying for a permanent residence Card and British Citizenship and answer any question you may have on your rights to remain in the UK following Brexit.

If you wish to discuss any of the points raised in this blog, please phone our London office on 0203 959 9123.