adult child of a naturalized British father

[switchfoot]

Hi,
I am South African and have indefinite leave as married to a BC.I am waiting for my letter of non acquisition for british so i can have dual citizenship.I would like to find out if my son(19yrs) and daughter(20yrs) from previous relationship can apply for british citizenship based on my soon naturalised status?
Thanks

[CR001]

Are they in the UK with you on any visa or ILR?

They were born before your become British so no, there would be no avenue for them to claim British citizenship through your new acquired status (when you are approved).

[switchfoot]

In April 2015 i will be 4yrs living in the UK and No they are in South Africa.I am planning on bringing them over for a visit here later in the year,but thought to find out if they will be eligible for British citizenship.
Thanks

[switchfoot]

What suggestions would you have for them to become British?

[CR001]

The only route open to them would be the work sponsored visas leading to ILR (if they qualify) or Ancestry Visa if they have a grandparent who is British. Even a student visa no longer leads to ILR unless as part of 10 years long residence.

As they are adults, there is no avenue for them based on what your describe re your status and they would need all the steps to qualify in their own right for visas, ILR and eventually citizenship.

They would need to show their ties to SA to get a visitor visa to ensure it is clear that they will return and not remain in the UK.

[Wanderer]

What suggestions would you have for them to become British?

Only way is on their own merits or marriage to a BC. So that would be Work Permit, 10 year legal stay, entrepreneur etc....

[switchfoot]

Thanks,your advice has been very helpful.

[CR001]

It really would have been so much easier for them had you brought them with you when you came to the UK but I understand the difficulties in this.

Or if they had a British born grandparent.

[switchfoot]

thanks.
I will try the student visa route.At leaset it's a 4 yr visa.

[CR001]

Expensive to pay international fees though.

[switchfoot]

I guess it will have a 6 month holiday.thanks

[CR001]

Make sure they have all the evidence proof of their ties to SA (job, family, income, studies, etc) and will return etc. otherwise they risk a refusal.

[Wanderer]

And a 10 year path which may not exist in 10 years time the way immigration policy is going......

[switchfoot]

thanks,I will make sure that everything is done correctly

[CR001]

Just as an aside, since you will be applying for citizenship soon, have you done the English B1 test as some South Africans assume they don't need it and have been refused.

Also, just for info, when you get your non acquisition letter from UK HO and apply at SA home affairs, don't apply through postal as it takes longer for them to do their bit and 'approve' your request to retain SA citizenship and issue the letter. If possible, go into their offices in Whitehall and apply in person. Recently when I was there, people waited roughly 4-5 hours and got their letters on the day.

[switchfoot]

Thanks,yes I have ELTS English Certificate.I plan on going to the SA offices as i tried to call them loads of times without anyone answering the phone.

[CR001]

Yes it is home affairs as usual not answering phones but they are helpful when you go there at least, especially if you at dumb!!