About the 4L law change
As of 28 April 2022, a new law allows individuals to apply for British citizenship if they were unfairly denied due to previous gender biases. You may be eligible if:
- You have a UK-born maternal grandparent and were born before 1 January 1988, in a "Foreign Country."
- You have a UK-born grandmother, and your parent lived in the UK for at least three years before your birth.
- You were born in a previous UK Territory with a UK-born grandparent.
- You were born between before 1988 with a connection to a current day British Overseas Territory (those born after 1 January 1988 can also have a claim to UK nationality if they have a connection to a current British Overseas Territory through alternative legislation).
- You were born before 1 January 1988, in a "Foreign Country" with a paternal grandfather born in the UK but paternal grandparents were not married.
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 this can benefit your children
If you qualify for British citizenship under these law changes, your children may also be eligible for British citizenship, but it depends on several factors, such as when and where they were born.
If your children were born after you acquire British citizenship, they will likely be automatically British by descent. However, if they were born before you obtain citizenship, they may need to go through a registration process, depending on their individual circumstances and the laws in effect at the time of their birth.
It’s important to explore your children’s specific eligibility, as rules can vary based on timing and other factors.
Why the UK is still a great option post-Brexit
Despite not being part of the EU anymore, the UK still offers an array of benefits, especially for entrepreneurs, parents and those who like to travel.
Travel benefits
UK passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 countries, including the EU and Schengen Area.
Free healthcare
UK citizens get free NHS healthcare and access to social benefits once habitually resident.
Top business destination
The UK offers a strong business environment, with no need for visas or work permits for UK citizens.
Quality education
UK citizens benefit from free secondary education and lower university tuition fees compared to international students.
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.
1. Use our Nationality Assessment to see if you have a claim to British citizenship.
2. Order a free Status Trace. This will let you know if you qualify or not.
3. If further reseach is needed, you will need a Citizenship Report that provides in-depth research into your ancestry.
FAQs
What options does my spouse have?
Once you have British citizenship, your spouse or unmarried partner is eligible to apply for a Spouse or Partner visa. If you are unmarried, you will have to show proof of being in a genuine relationship for at least two years. This visa allows them to live, work and study in the UK for two and a half years before having to renew it. After five years in the UK, they can then apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). Once they have held their ILR status for 12 months, they can then apply for British citizenship.
Can I get dual nationality?
Yes, the US allows you to hold dual nationality status so you will not have to forego your American citizenship.
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.
British Citizenship Assessment
Discover if you have a claim with this quick questionnaire
- Registration Step 1