The Perks of Becoming a Brit: Exploring the Benefits of British Naturalisation
If you’re on the fence about applying for British citizenship, you might be curious to learn more about the potential benefits available. While the British naturalisation application might be famously long, expensive and complex, there are considerable benefits to be earned at the other end.
Once you have been living in the UK for long enough to qualify for British citizenship, you are likely to feel an affinity with the country and will want to make it your permanent home. By securing your British citizenship, you can ensure that your right to live and work in the UK is always protected.
For those still on the fence, let’s explore some of the benefits of completing the British naturalisation application in more detail.
The benefits of completing the British naturalisation application
Everyone will have unique personal circumstances. For some people, British naturalisation will allow them to raise a family in the UK without worrying about their status. For others, it’s all about being able to start and grow a company without fear that their immigration status could derail their plans. These are some of the more general benefits you will experience when you secure your British citizenship.
The right to stay in the UK forever
First and foremost, securing British citizenship will secure your position in the UK. While indefinite leave to remain offers some protection, it will still leave you feeling like an outsider. You will always be considered a foreigner and not truly British. By securing your British citizenship, you can proudly say “I am British” and enjoy all of the protections that come with this.
A British passport
When you secure your British citizenship, you will also be eligible for a British passport. This can make it easier to travel around the world, as British citizens can take part in visa waiver programmes that aren’t available to all citizens. A British passport will grant you visa-free travel or visa-on-arrival access to around 187 countries and territories in the world. Compare this with a passport such as South African, which will only grant visa-free travel to 74 countries.
Full civic rights
As a British citizen, you will be able to vote in local and national elections. This means you can have a say in how the country is run and who should be in charge. Voting is something that many people look forward to when they become British citizens as it means that they can take part in the democratic process. And if voting isn’t enough for you, you can also stand for office and enact change from the inside.
Free NHS medical care
British citizens have the right to access free care through the NHS. This means no more paying for the immigration healthcare surcharge. You’ll have access to free NHS care, and heavily subsidised dental care, optometry and prescriptions. Some people will be able to access completely free care, such as those on benefits and pregnant women.
No restrictions on your work
Once you are a British citizen, you can stop worrying about your work status and applying for visas. There will be no restrictions on how you work, including where you work and how often you change jobs. You also won’t have to meet minimum income thresholds to be able to keep your visa. You can also decide to take a step back from work and return to studying. If you have been in the UK on a work visa, the increase in freedom after you secure British citizenship can be very refreshing.
Unrestricted entry to the UK
Another perk of British citizenship is that you can leave the country and return without worrying. Even those with indefinite leave to remain will often dread the process of coming back into the country, as their motivations can be questioned by border force agents every time. Once you are a British citizen, you will have the confidence of knowing that you can spend as much time as you want outside of the UK without it impacting your immigration status.
Eligible for dual nationality
It’s a common misconception that you will need to give up citizenship from other countries before you can be granted dual citizenship. The UK will allow you to hold dual citizenship. This can be a relief to those worried about renouncing their home country. Certain countries do not allow you to hold dual citizenship, but the UK is not one of them.
Are there any downsides to the British naturalisation application?
The only downsides to the application are things like the cost and the time taken to complete it. There are various costs associated with the application. These include the application fee, the life in the UK test, and the language test.
The application process is also quite complicated and you will need to provide a lot of details about your life. Often the most difficult part of the application is listing your travel history and time spent outside of the UK. This part can be quite time-consuming if you travel a lot.
The process also takes between 6 and 12 months to complete. So, it can feel like your life is on hold until you receive a final decision.
What is the success rate of applications?
The vast majority of applications for British citizenship are successful. The rejection rate is thought to be around 4.3%. The majority of these are unsuccessful because of mistakes in the application or failure to meet the requirements.
If you are confident you meet the requirements and have filled in the application form correctly, you should have no issue securing your British citizenship through naturalisation.
Get expert advice from UK immigration lawyers
If you’re ready to start your application and want to make sure you get everything right, get in touch with our team. We can help guide you through the application process to ensure that you have the best possible chance of success. Our team will keep you informed every step of the way so you can move forward with confidence. Stay Connect with our Legal Blog & You can write for us legal.
