Born in 1971 in London to Diplomat parents

[mintyy]

Hello,

My close relative was born in London in 1971 to the diplomat family from the USSR. She lived there till she was 4 years old, and then the family went back to the Soviet Union.

I'm wondering if she can qualify for the UK citizenship.

Thank you!

[alterhase58]

Refer to https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-born-uk

Quote:
"You’re automatically a British citizen if you were born in the UK before 1 January 1983, unless:
your father was a diplomat working for a non-UK country"

[mintyy]

Thank you for providing the link!

After the sentence you quoted, it says "You can apply for a UK passport instead, or ask for a letter confirming your citizenship". Does that apply to her in any way? Or is she out of chances to go for the citizenship at all?

[alterhase58]

Thank you for providing the link!

After the sentence you quoted, it says "You can apply for a UK passport instead, or ask for a letter confirming your citizenship". Does that apply to her in any way? Or is she out of chances to go for the citizenship at all?

Not relevant - this relates to "You’re automatically a British citizen if you were born in the UK before 1 January 1983," - not the exceptions. You need to be British to apply for a passport. I don't believe there is any entitlement to citizenship arising from the scenario.

[mintyy]

Sad that there's no way out. Thank you for your prompt help!

[secret.simon]

The relevant law is Section 4 as enacted of the British Nationality Act 1948.

Citizenship by birth
Subject to the provisions of this section, every person born within the United Kingdom and Colonies after the commencement of this Act shall be a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by birth :
Provided that a person shall not be such a citizen by virtue of this section if at the time of his birth—
(a) his father possesses such immunity from suit and legal process as is accorded to an envoy of a foreign sovereign power accredited to His Majesty, and is not a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies; or
(b) his father is an enemy alien and the birth occurs in a place then under occupation by the enemy.

The USSR as then would definitely have been a foreign sovereign power.