When people migrate to the UK, Naturalisation (i.e. their British Citizenship application) is their final, happy step in their “Journey to Citizenship”. British citizenship undoubtedly comes with many rights and advantages. Here we help you to understand the many benefits of British citizenship.

What are the Benefits of British Citizenship?

Here are some of the benefits of British citizenship:

• Right to Live in the United Kingdom
  Once you acquire British citizenship, you can freely live in the United Kingdom without any restrictions. You leave and return to the country whenever you want, and with no restriction on how long you can be overseas.
• Right to Work and Study in the UK
  British citizenship allows you to work and study freely in the UK. With British Citizenship, you do not need to get permission to study or work.
• Right to hold a British Passport
  The British passport is one of the powerful passports worldwide. That is to say, it allows you to travel across 188 countries and territories without a visa or by applying for a visa on arrival. A British passport is not just evidence of citizenship, it is the key to help you enter multiple countries, across the globe, with minimum bureaucracy.
• Right to Vote in UK Elections
  British citizenship provides you with the right to vote in elections and partake fully in the UK’s democratic system. Voting rights include local and national elections, as well as referendums; you can also stand for public office as a Citizen.
• Right to access the National Health Service (NHS)
  UK residents are proud of their publicly funded healthcare system, and as a British citizen, you will have the right to access free healthcare through the National Health Service (NHS).
• Right to Claim Public Funds
  While people with visas are normally restricted from claiming public funds, British Citizens have full access to claim UK state benefits. Benefits you can claim might include jobseeker’s allowance or child benefit, as a couple of examples.

Advantages of British Citizenship Over ILR

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is also known as “permanent residence” or Settlement. With ILR, you can live and work freely in the UK with no “expiry” date of the ILR status. However, British citizenship still has several advantages over ILR.
Some of the key advantages include the following:

• The Right to Vote in UK General Elections and Stand for Public Office: British citizens have the right to vote in all UK elections and stand for public office, whereas non-British citizens with ILR status do not necessarily have these rights.
• Eligibility for a British Passport: Those holding UK ILR status are not eligible to apply for a British Passport. British passports allow visa-free travel to a large number of countries and so a British passport may be more beneficial, depending on the holder’s current nationality.
• Secure Immigration Status: British citizenship provides a more secure immigration status than ILR, as it cannot normally be taken away (in extreme cases the government may try to revoke Citizenship after it has been granted). ILR status, on the other hand, can be lost if the individual stays outside the UK for 2 or more years at a time.
• Potential Eligibility for Dual Citizenship: British citizenship allows an individual to hold dual or multiple citizenships, which can provide additional opportunities and benefits.

FAQ’s 

1. What are the benefits of British citizenship?
   British Citizenship provides several benefits, including the right to live, work and study in the United Kingdom indefinitely. A British Citizen has access to a wide range of public services such as healthcare, education and welfare benefits. Citizenship also comes with the right to vote in General Elections and run for public office in UK elections. British Citizens are entitled to apply for a British passport. Citizens also can sponsor certain non-British family members to join them in the United Kingdom, on family visas.
2. Can I Work and Study in the UK with British Citizenship?
   Yes, you have every right to live, work and study in the United Kingdom with British citizenship.
3. Can I Access Public Services Such as Healthcare & Education with British Citizenship?
   As a British citizen, you have the right to use public services such as the National Health Service and to enrol your children in state education, as well as being eligible to apply for a UK University place as a “home student”.
4. Can I Vote and Run for Public Office with British Citizenship?
   As a British citizen, you have the right to vote in UK elections and run for public office as well.
5. Can I Travel Visa Free with a UK Passport?
   Once you acquire British Citizenship, you are eligible to apply for a British passport. It automatically enables visa-free travel to many countries around the world.
6. Can I Sponsor My Family Members to Join me in the UK with British Citizenship?
   After acquiring British citizenship, you have the right to sponsor certain family members, who can stay with you in the United Kingdom. This includes your Fiancé or Partner and under 18 children.
7. Can I Apply for British Nationality for my Children?
   As British citizen, you can normally apply for British nationality for your Children. If they are born after you became British, they will be British automatically.
8. Can I Pass on My British Citizenship to Future Generations?
   Yes, as a British citizen, you can pass on your British citizenship to your children, whether they are born inside or outside the UK.
9. How Long do I Need to Live in the UK to be eligible for British Citizenship?
   To acquire British citizenship, you normally need to have been resident in the UK lawfully for a minimum of five years and meet all the the eligibility criteria (under the British Nationality Act).

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