:
9.
Provided they are met, however, there is flexibility as regards the other
requirements set out in nationality law. The law expects an applicant for citizenship who is not married to a British citizen not to have been absent from the UK for more than 450 days in the five years before the application,
nor for more than 90 days in the last year and to have been free of any
restrictions on his stay under the immigration laws for the whole of the last year. For those married to British citizens the maximum period of absence is
270 days in the last three years.
10. A British Dependent Territories citizen is entitled to register as a
British citizen if the residence criteria are satisfied. For other applicants,
there are other requirements such as good character, sufficient knowledge of
English and an intention on the part of the applicant to make his principal
home in the UK. The Home Secretary has to use his judgement in deciding
whether these requirements are met.
11. In general, the Home Secretary expects applicants for citizenship to meet the statutory requirements as to residence. Each case, however, is looked at
on its merits at the time when the application is made, and the Home Secretary is prepared to exercise his discretion flexibly with regard to periods of
absence. He recognises that, for businessmen in particular, there may be good
reasons for long absences from the country. An applicant who has firmly established himself and put down roots in the UK is unlikely to have difficulty
in obtaining British citizenship.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.