UK Citizenship by Birth for Nigerians

Are you a Nigerian Born in the UK and Want to Become a British Citizen?

Call us today so our experienced legal team can give you the help and advice that you need. Our expert team of caseworkers has a proven track record of assisting Nigerians with their British Citizenship application to the highest standards. We’ll take the worry out of the process so that you can get on with life in the UK.

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For Nigerian emigration matters, please call +44 (0) 3316300929 or +2342013306361.

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For immigration/emigration to/from other countries, please call:

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UK –  (+44) 333 4149244

Overview of British Citizenship by Birth for Nigerians

British citizenship by birth is granted to children born in the UK (with some exceptions). The applicants may be eligible for a British passport if they claim citizenship. However, citizenship laws are different for those who were born abroad or to parents who were born outside of the UK.

To be eligible for British citizenship, you must have been born in the UK or have at least one parent who was. You can apply for citizenship once you turn 18 if one of your parents was born outside the UK, and has lived in Britain for at least five years before you were born.

If neither of your parents were born in the UK but they have lived as a lawful resident for 10 years immediately before your birth, you will be able to register as a British or apply to be a British citizen when you turn 18 years old.

It is also possible for the children of a parent who is a British citizen by descent or register as a British to be able to claim that status as well.

Who Can Apply for British Citizenship?

A child born in the UK to non British parents may be eligible for British citizenship by birth if they meet certain criteria. You are eligible to apply as a British citizen if you were born:

• In Nigeria, but one parent was born in the UK or settled as a British citizen
• Outside of Nigeria, but has a parent or both parents who were born in the UK
• To a parent resident in the UK for 10 years before the child’s birth (or had Indefinite Leave to Remain or settled status)
• In the UK to a parent or parents who were a British nationality or as a British citizen
• Outside of the United Kingdom but who has at least one of the parents as a British citizen by descent
• In the UK before 1 January 1983, and one of the parents or both lived as British citizens at the time of your birth

If you’re a child born in the UK to Nigerian parents and you’re looking to move to the UK, our sympathetic and experienced lawyers will be able to help. Our immigration lawyers have years of experience helping Nigerians live as British citizens or settled in the UK. We can give you helpful advice on how to obtain your British citizenship by birth.

When You Don’t Need to Apply for UK Citizenship

A Nigerian citizen born in the UK before 1 January 1983, would automatically register as a British citizen if at least one of the parents registered as a British citizen at the time of their birth.

However, if a child is born outside the UK and neither parent was a British nationality at the time of their birth, they will not be registered automatically a British citizen by descent.

In order to be a British citizen by birth, you must make a citizenship application via the UK Home Office.

If none of these apply to you, you can apply for naturalisation as a British citizen if you are not eligible to automatically be a British citizen.

What Documents are Needed for a UK Citizenship Application?

If you are under 18 years old, your parents will need to sign an application form permitting their child to be registered as a British citizen. If you are over 18 but not yet 21, you will need to sign an application form giving permission for yourself.

To apply for British citizenship for a child born in the UK to Nigerian parents, you will need to provide the following documents:

• A birth certificate
• Evidence of your parents’ or guardians’ identity and nationality (if your birth date was in the UK before 1 January 1983)
• Your identity documents

What is the Cost and Processing Time for British Citizenship by Birth?

The fees to process citizenship by birth for Nigerians costs £1,000 for those under 18 years of age. Applicants aged 18 or older need to pay £1,709

On average, the processing time for British citizenship applications for applicants born in the UK is around between 6 months and longer depending on the applicant’s circumstances.

At IAS, we can help with all aspects of citizenship applications, from helping you fill out your forms to preparing supporting documents. Whatever your needs are, our legal team can help you get ready for your citizenship interview and ensure that you’re prepared.

What Is a Certificate of Citizenship?

If you want your child to obtain a British passport, you can apply for a Certificate of Citizenship. This can be obtained from the Home Office or if you are abroad, from the nearest British consulate.

Once you have the Certificate of Citizenship, the next step is to make an application for a British passport.

You will need to provide your child’s personal information and details about your relationship with them. You will also be asked to provide proof of their name and date of birth (such as a birth certificate).

If you have adopted your child, there are additional requirements you must meet in order to obtain a passport for them. Reach out to IAS for more information on what documentation is needed.

Can Nigerians Born in the UK Be Denied Citizenship?

The UK’s Home Office occasionally refuses British citizenship through birth for those who were born in the UK due to concerns regarding the legitimacy of their birth. In these cases, a birth certificate or passport from Nigeria is a strong form of evidence regarding the applicant’s place of birth.

However, if the applicant cannot obtain this information, or if it contradicts other forms of evidence, your application may be denied.

If your application is rejected, we can help you on what steps to take next. IAS immigration lawyers can advise you on whether or not you are eligible for British citizenship by birth and can assist you to apply for British citizenship.

How Can IAS Help?

Are you a Nigerian citizen who has been denied UK citizenship by birth? Our expert legal team may be able to help.

For those born in Nigeria, British nationality may be acquired through various means. It is important to use an immigration lawyer if you wish your child to live as a British citizen.

Our experienced lawyers can help you get the right paperwork from the beginning, eliminating the risk of having your citizenship denied.

With legal advice, you can avoid re-applying, which can mean a lot of extra time and money spent on applications.

IAS has experience helping Nigerian clients, and we can assist you with visa applications, as well as pre-action protocol or appeals. We have lawyers in Nigeria who can assist you with your legal issues.

The lawyer will take care of all of the paperwork and all of the legwork for you. You will not have to worry about missing deadlines or forgetting certain steps.

For more about citizenship by birth for Nigerians, including details about the eligibility criteria and how you can apply, contact one of our legal experts today. Call us at our office in Nigeria on +2342013306361 or our UK office on +44 (0) 3316300929, or contact us online.