BN(O) ILR – When Can Children Apply for British Citizenship (MN1)?

[elic]

My family of four received ILR / Settled Status on 20/2/2026 via the BN(O) route.

I understand that my wife and I need to wait 12 months before applying for British citizenship using Form B(OTA). My daughter is currently 17 and will turn 18 in December this year. My son is 13 years old.

I would like to ask about my children’s eligibility:

1. Do my daughter and son need to wait 12 months after receiving ILR before applying for citizenship using Form MN1?

2. Since my daughter will turn 18 in December, does she need to apply before she turns 18, or would she need to switch to an adult application route after that?

I would really appreciate any guidance. Thanks!

[secret.simon]

1. Do my daughter and son need to wait 12 months after receiving ILR before applying for citizenship using Form MN1?

They can apply at the earliest of
(a) with either one parent applying for British citizenship (because in your case, both parents and both children have ILR), or,
(b) if neither parent has British citizenship and are not applying for British citizenship, the children have to wait for a year after ILR.

You could try applying for just your daughter a few days before her 18th birthday and request for discretion in disregarding her not having completed a full year after ILR. Apply for your son with your wife and you after one year of ILR.

[elic]

Thank you again for the helpful advice.

I have another question regarding the situation where citizenship is approved while we are outside the UK.

As I understand it, once a person becomes a British citizen, they are expected to enter the UK using a British passport. If our applications are approved while we are overseas:

For adults – we would need to attend a citizenship ceremony before becoming British citizens. So I assume we would still be able to re-enter the UK using our current passports (as we would not yet be British citizens). Is that correct?

For my son (under 18) – since he does not need to attend a ceremony, citizenship is granted upon approval. If he becomes a British citizen while we are outside the UK, how would he re-enter the UK if he does not yet have a British passport?

Would he still be able to enter using his existing passport and evidence of settled status?

Or would we need to apply for a British passport from overseas before returning?

Many thanks again for your guidance.

[secret.simon]

The rules about dual British nationals required to have a British passport or a CoE-RoA are coming into force just today and we do not know how they will be enforced by the various air-lines.

Keep in mind that these rules apply to the carriers/air-lines and ferries, not to the person themself. If the person can get to the UK border, the Border Force will be able to do further checks and let the person through. But the air-line/ferry company will be fined heavily for allowing a person who did not meet the requirements for boarding the flight/ferry.

I would advise against international travel while these changes are in progress.

[lolo2]

For adults – we would need to attend a citizenship ceremony before becoming British citizens. So I assume we would still be able to re-enter the UK using our current passports (as we would not yet be British citizens). Is that correct?

Correct.

Or would we need to apply for a British passport from overseas before returning?

This is highly counterproductive and the general advice is to avoid doing this.

[secret.simon]

Or would we need to apply for a British passport from overseas before returning?

This is highly counterproductive and the general advice is to avoid doing this.

Applying for a British passport from abroad for naturalised adults can be construed as failing the future intentions requirement for naturalisation.

It would be fine for children registered as British citizens.