Your Guide To Getting A UK Visa – The Key To Exploring Europe

For numerous Indian aspirants looking to make the UK their new ‘home’, the dream of attaining British nationality becomes an ultimate pursuit which overshadow all other things. Not only does UK citizenship give you the right to vote and enjoy health care and social benefits, it also gives security that comes with being a citizen of one of the world’s best democracies.

Your Guide To Getting A UK Visa – The Key To Exploring Europe

Read More: Tourism Boost: Kurukshetra's Mahabharata Sites In Haryana To Be Developed

In addition, it is essential to point out that there’s more to becoming a UK citizen than just settling down because it allows for in a way, travelling all over Europe without the fear of restrictions. There are many countries within Europe that will be accessible to you without the need of a visa or even providing one upon landing – this is bliss every British passport holder enjoys.

British Nationality Can Be Acquired By A Variety Of Means:

1) Birth in the country: This one’s a no brainer. A child born in England enjoys the right to be a citizen if at least one of the parents is a British citizen or is a settled person through lawful residence.

2) Naturalization on the basis of marriage: Naturalization may also be obtained for foreign spouses of British citizens provided they have been granted indefinite leave to remain for three years before making an application.

3) Applying for Citizenship when having Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Settled Status: Those individuals who successfully hold indefinite leave to remain or EU ‘settled status’ are eligible to apply for citizenship after this status has been held for a period of 12 months.

Eligibility Criteria To Qualify For UK Citizenship

1) Age requirement: Applicants for UK citizenship must be above the age of 18, at the time of making the application.

2) Residency period: The applicant must have been in the United Kingdom for a continuous period of five years and must not have been away from the country for more than 450 days within that period.

3) Residency period for spouse: In the case of a spouse of a British citizen, the person is required to have lived with settled status in the UK for three years.

4) Good character: An applicant is required to have no criminal convictions and to be of good ethical standing.

5) English language ability: applicants are required to undertake an English language test and may be certified at B1, B2, C1, or C2 levels.

6) Life in the UK test: Test to assess understanding of British culture, history and traditions, compulsory for all migrant applicants.

In The Event You Meet those Requirements, Here Is What You Can Do Next To Prepare Your Application:

1) Go on the official government website and register for the life in the UK test. This certificate will be necessary when making an application.

2) Your application will also require you to give the names of two referees who know you and are willing to provide a reference. You will also be required to take an English language test and achieve a result of B1 or higher. This is to assess your proficiency in the English language.

3) The form for applying for British citizenship is available on the UK government website. Accurately complete the form, and attach scans of the supporting documents requested.

4) Call to UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) and make an appointment to submit your biometric data which includes your fingerprints and a photo.

5) You shall be informed of the status of your application after it has been filed and processed by the concerned authorities. if your application is approved, you may proceed with the application for the passport of the United Kingdom.

Documents Required

1) Proof of identity: In that case, you may provide any of the following: the passport, driver’s license, a birth certificate or a travel document issued by the Home Office. This document is generated by UK Border Agency.

2) Biometric Resolution Record: This is optional. Your BRP (if any) can act as an alternative means of identification.

3) Test Results (Life in the United Kingdom): Submission of evidence showing that this test is passed is compulsory.

4) English Language Familiarity: Ability in English language at least at level B1 needs to be demonstrated.

5) Civil conduct proofs: To provide law abiding proof the documents for character and lawful citizenships is required.

5) Documents demonstrating residency: оther invoices/letters, bank correspondence or other letters relating to tenancies.

6) Certificate of Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): In case, you have ILR or Settled Status, a proof of this status will be required from you.