Citizenship for under 18 born outside UK

[simon768]

Hi

I have a 17 -year old born outside UK who wants to apply for British Citizenship.

There is one significant problem - we the parents don't want to apply for the Citizenship although we have ILR (Settled) since 2009.
He has spent over 16 years in UK with all his education here. He is desperate to become a UK Citizen before applying for University places and funding.He too has an Residence Permit (ILR-Settlement since 2009).

I understand he needs to apply with MN1 application. I have also been told his application will be up to the discretion of the Officials since he was born outside UK and his parents aren't applying for British Citizenship as well. He can obviously apply automatically on reaching 18 years but wants it now for the reasons stated above.

Has anyone encountered this problem and can you help me in anyway? Is there any way I can convince the chaps to grant him his Naturalization? Any help much obliged.

Thanks

Simon

[noajthan]

Hi

I have a 17 -year old born outside UK who wants to apply for British Citizenship.

There is one significant problem - we the parents don't want to apply for the Citizenship although we have ILR (Settled) since 2009.
He has spent over 16 years in UK with all his education here. He is desperate to become a UK Citizen before applying for University places and funding.He too has an Residence Permit (ILR-Settlement since 2009).

...

Thanks

Simon

Simon,
fyi - as your son is already settled with ILR, & is 'ordinarily resident' in this country & having lived here at least 3 years (& not just here for education), he will qualify as a 'home' student for UK university funding.

Ref: http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/International- ... rseas-fees

To apply under BNA 3(1) as a minor you/he would rely on HO discretion so would have to make a strong case that your son's future is in this country.
The alternative would be for him to apply as a settled adult with ILR (+ 12 months already under his belt).
He would ofcourse have to take the LITUK test & (depending on nationality) the English test.

I can see the attraction of wanting to sort this out before college or university but the unknown factor is in relying on HO discretion.
At age 18 or above the application could be more straightforward (despite the extra requirements).

Even now, before naturalisation, his higher education funding should be on the home fees basis.

Best of luck.