About the law changes

The UK government entered into a treaty with the United Nations some years ago to enshrine equal rights for women and to treat men and women equally. Although the UK has passed progressive legislation to incorporate this principle into British nationality law, some gender unfairness still exists. Many have been denied nationality rights from their mother, grandmother or spouse because there has been no general remedy in the law.

Proposals to remedy gender discrimination in the old nationality law passed Royal Assent on 28 April 2022 and are now enshrined in law.

This new law will make it possible to lodge an application if you can demonstrate that, had it not been for gender discrimination in the old law, you would be a British citizen now. While the theory is complex, here are several examples where you could have a claim to British nationality:

  • You were married before 1 January 1983 to a spouse who could (or should) have been British
  • You have a UK-born grandmother and were born before 1 January 1988 in a country defined as a “Foreign Country”
  • You have a UK-born grandmother, and your relevant parent spent at least three years in the UK before your birth
  • You were born between 1 January 1949 and 31 December 1982 and have a grandparent (but not a paternal grandfather) born in the UK

These four examples above represent a tiny proportion of the solutions available

If you were born in a country that is different to either of your parents, grandparents or great grandparents and you have a connection back to the UK, Ireland or a former British territory, then you might have a claim.

How do I find out if I have a claim to British citizenship

We designed this process to simplify your investigation of complex British nationality laws and to help you avoid unnecessary and expensive application fees.

 

Our citizenship team is led by world-renowned UK immigration and British nationality expert, Philip Gamble, and they're just an email or phone call away.

Authorised to practise immigration law by the OISC under Registration No F200100004.
Philip Gamble: Founder and Senior Partner

British Citizenship Assessment

Discover if you have a claim with this quick questionnaire