Spouses of  British citizens

A person who is married to a British citizen and has resided in the UK for at least 3 years may apply to become a British citizen by naturalisation. (Normally a person must live in the UK for 5 years.)

There are no other nationality concessions to the spouse of a British citizen arising from marriage to a British citizen.

Partners of British citizens are eligible for a UK spouse visa and residence permits under UK and European Union law:

  • Eligibility for a UK settlement visa on the basis of marriage
  • Eligibility to obtain a residence permit for a country in the EEA (other than the UK)

Evolving citizenship laws enshrined rights to women who were married to British men before 1983 and to also to the descendants of women married to a British man before 1949.

We can assess your eligibility to become a UK citizen by naturalisation:

Marriage to British Man before 1983

Women who married a UK citizen (or a man that could qualify for UK citizenship by descent) before 1983 will often today be British citizens, or entitled to live in the UK.

The caveat is that the women must have been a Commonwealth citizen (by birth or descent) on 1st January 1983.

Importantly, previous marriages can also convey rights.

If you fall into this category, find out if you qualify for British nationality by completing the form below!

Marriage to British Man before 1949

A woman who married a British man (or a man that could qualify for UK citizenship by descent) before 1949 acquired British Nationality upon marriage, and could be British citizens today.

Importantly, previous marriages can also convey rights.

Any children born to this woman can claim British citizenship.

Due to complex British citizenship law, there is the possibility that if you were married to a British man you could claim British nationality, alongside a further generation.

If you fall into this category, find out if you qualify for British nationality by completing the form below!

What does Passportia do?

Passportia is a private company that advises on nationality and UK immigration law. Passportia is regulated by the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC), the UK government body that regulates immigration advisors and ensures they maintain a high standard of service and client care. The OISC awarded Passportia Level 3 accreditation (the highest possible) in all areas of immigration, asylum and nationality work.

Regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC), reference number F201300772

Why use an experienced immigration advisor?

Using an experienced adviser like Passportia helps to reduce the risks. We take away the stress and uncertainty in applying and maximise success. Remember that any incorrect information submitted with an application cannot be taken out, and a failed application can damage your future chances of getting the visa or citizenship you need.

How Passportia Works

Our most popular service is a comprehensive evaluation and report, prepared with the help of AI. Here, we ask you as our client, to provide details of your ancestry and residence for us to determine your eligibility. The report is usually ready within 10 working days.

We will email the report to you, plus a proposal and quotation should the evaluation yield a positive outcome. Our aim is to make the application as simple as possible for you. You would be working closely with our dedicated British caseworkers to ensure the success of the application. 

As part of our representation, you will be issued with a personalised document checklist, and we will guide you through your application process. Following the decision by the relevant government department, you would receive your citizenship certificate and/or passport.

Our services are of an excellent standard and we have a very high satisfaction rating from past customers (see our Google reviews). Our work is normally done to a fixed price quotation. 

To find out if you qualify for British nationality complete the form below!

How the British Home Office Works

The correct application forms, correct supporting documents and fee must be submitted together to the Home Office. Application decisions are normally based on the documents originally supplied with the application, so preparation and presentation of information and arguments are crucial to success. Once the information has been supplied, it cannot easily be changed or withdrawn. If your application is refused, the application fee will not be refunded.

Passportia is a specialist citizenship advice firm independent of the UK government and regulated by the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner. Legal advice on how to demonstrate and substantiate a claim to citizenship cannot be obtained from the government.

Our success rate for citizenship claims is over 95%. Please view the many testimonials from satisfied clients.

Find out if you can apply for a British passport by completing the form below!

PASSPORTIA IS

  • A citizenship law specialist
  • Successful with complex claims
  • Supporting multiple countries
  • Fast, flexible and precise

My application was somewhat complex in that it related to a recent amendment to rights of ancestral British citizenship. My experience with Passportia has been that they have always been prompt and efficient when responding to queries and they have an in depth knowledge of their areas of expertise. I have no hesitation in recommending Passportia in matters relating to UK citizenship.

W.R. - Johannesburg, South Africa