UK Right of Abode

Holders of this type of UK visa may enter and leave the country free of Immigration control and use British passport holder gates at United Kingdom ports and airports. Dual citizens are entitled to a stamp in their foreign passports, which will enable holders to enter the country without hindrance as though they were British Citizens.

It is worth noting that changes to legislation have resulted in this category of UK immigration service becoming partly redundant, as many people 

applying

 under this class are eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK (ILR), or permanent residency through British naturalization.  You do not require a UK visa extension.

After 21 December 2006, people who already hold a British passport, or identity card which describes them as a UK citizen or as a British subject with this entitlement will not qualify for certificates of entitlement.

Benefits

Applying for the right of abode effectively results in a successful applicant being entirely free from British immigration control. This means that a holder does not need to gain permission from an Immigration Officer in order to enter the country and may commence living and working in the UK without restriction.

This route to the United Kingdom imposes no work restrictions like short-term UK visit visas, often referred to as travel visas or tourist visas and unlike skills based immigration services such as the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme or HSMP, this route does not require a points based assessment to qualify. Unlike UK business visas, candidates do not need to create jobs or invest in the United Kingdom and successful applicants do not need a UK work permit visa.

At Global Visas, we can help you to secure the most beneficial immigration service for you from the range of British visas for immigration and working permits available. Whether you need a short-term visitor visa or you wish to move towards UK citizenship, as a specialist UK immigration consultancy, we can offer immigration lawyer advice and services throughout the application process.

Duration

There is no time restriction placed on people immigrating to the UK via this route. The Certificate will remain valid for the life of the passport.

Eligibility

Who has the Right of Abode in the UK?

All British citizens automatically have this right. In the case of dual nationals, i.e. people who are citizens of more than one country, it is possible to get a Certificate placed in their passport.

This right may also apply to some people who are not dual citizens but are from a Commonwealth country. Commonwealth citizens qualify under the following circumstances.

• If they are UK citizens
• If they were born before January 1st 1983 and have a parent who was born in Great Britain.
• If they are a Commonwealth woman and married a person before January 1st 1983 in one of the above categories.

(N.B. Pakistan and South Africa were not included in the Commonwealth before January 1st 1983 and as a result their citizens do not qualify)

To demonstrate that you qualify you must be able to produce either:

• A United Kingdom passport which describes you as a British citizen or as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies.
• A foreign or Commonwealth passport which contains a certificate of entitlement.

Dual Nationality

As outlined above, changes to legislation have made this immigration category redundant in many cases, however it remains a valuable option for people whose home country does not support dual citizenship and which would withdraw nationality upon a successful application for British citizenship.

Dependants

Spouse immigration and dependant immigration is permitted under UK visas of this class. Dependants of persons who qualify may enter the country in order to settle, if they apply for UK entry clearance from their home country. Spouses and dependants under this category must enter the country with qualifying person. At the end of their grant of leave they must apply for an extension in order continue their stay. Find out further information on our UK Visa Extension page.