Naturalisation for Son born outside UK

hi Team

My son was born in Pakistan in Mar 2018. I got ILR in June 2018 through 5 year Tier 2 PBS route

My wife and son joined me in UK in Jan 2019 on ILR Dependent Visa, both their visas were renewed in Nov 2021 second time and will be expiring in May 2024.

I will be applying for ILR for my wife in Jan 2024.

My question is as follows:

1. As soon as my wife get her ILR application approved. Can I directly apply naturalisation/registration for my son (5 year old)?
2. If above is correct, can you please guide me with what form to use and provide me link to any associated guidance?
3. would you know how long typically such naturalisation/registration application for minor children take?


My understanding is that there is a route 'on discretion of home office' is this route still open?

if there is already a thread with discussion on above topic please direct me to that thread.

AtiqueKhan wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 27, 2023 3:09 pm

Can I directly apply naturalisation/registration for my son (5 year old)?

No, he needs ILR first (you can apply for his ILR along with your wife). You can apply to register him after ILR.
The form is MN1; guidance - https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... 1-guidance
You can see the timeline thread for timelines.

AtiqueKhan wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 27, 2023 3:09 pm

I got ILR in June 2018 through 5 year Tier 2 PBS route

Have you got British citizenship?

If you have British citizenship
Your child needs to apply for ILR in line with his mother. Once both the child and mother have got ILR, he can be registered as a British citizen.

If you don't have British citizenship
Your child needs to apply for ILR in line with his mother. He can then be registered as a British citizen after one year on ILR.

Either way, the child will need ILR if you want to register him as a British citizen before 10 years residence in the UK.

Alternatively, if you don't want to apply for ILR for him, he can be registered as a British citizen in Jan 2029, after 10 years of living in the UK. Of course, keep in mind that extending the visas repeatedly will cost more than applying for ILR for him along with your wife.

yes I do have British Citizenship.

Understood, thanks for confirmation.

hi Team

a follow up question on this topic.

once my wife has ILR can I not use Form MN1 and apply for son to be registered as British citizen? Would my son not some under following part of MN1 guidance:

Registration at the Home Secretary’s discretion – Section 3(1) application

Children applying in line with parents

Children will come within this category if:
• one parent is a British citizen or about to become one through registration or
naturalisation
• the other parent (if involved in the child’s life) is a British citizen or settled in the UK
(“settled” usually means that the parent has indefinite leave to remain in the UK)
• the child has been resident in the UK for the last 2 years - (if the child is under the
age of 2 we can accept a shorter residence period, taking into account the age of
the child)
• the child is settled in the UK
• both parents give their consent to registration (unless good reasons are
provided)
• there is no reason to refuse on character grounds.



Apologies for any inconvenience just wanted to get clarity.

"Child is settled in the UK" means that child has ILR.