Certificate of Entitlement to Right of Abode
All British citizens have the right of abode, which is the unrestricted right to reside, work, and study in the United Kingdom. The Right of Abode can be demonstrated with a “Certificate of Entitlement” stamp in a non-British passport. This was formerly known as a ‘Certificate of Patriality’.
Those eligible for Right of Abode are:
- British citizens
- Commonwealth citizens who on 31 December 1982 had Right of Abode and have since remained Commonwealth citizens.
Since 1983, the only method to obtain the right of abode for the first time is to become a British citizen. Yet, many Commonwealth citizens who obtained the right of abode prior to 1983 are unaware that they can renew their Right of Abode.
The Right of Abode can be used by individuals to live, work and study in the UK without any immigration restrictions. It can also be used as a way to sponsor family members to join them in the UK, however this is analysed case to case and is dependent on immigration rules.
If you intend to live permanently in the UK and prefer not to apply for a British passport, you can apply for a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode. This certificate will be stamped in your passport. However, you cannot apply for this certificate if you already possess a British passport or a valid Certificate of Entitlement in a different foreign passport.
Examples of our successful cases:
Subject was born in 1981 in Australia and still resides there. His grandfather was born in the UK.
- Subject married her husband in 1947 who is a British citizen. Subject would qualify for Right of Abode (or possible registration for British citizenship).
- Subject was born in 1979 and is adopted living in Canada. Subject’s adoptive mother is a British citizen.
To exercise the complete benefits of the Right of Abode, individuals will have to prove their Right of Abode by having a UK passport or providing a non-UK passport that contains a ‘certificate of entitlement’. The certificate can only be endorsed in a passport that is valid
If you think you may have Right of Abode, please fill out our free assessment form linked below:
Should you ask us to prepare your application, your entire case will be handled personally by our Immigration and Nationality adviser.
To check your eligibility call us on Tel: 020 7859 4527 | Whatsapp +44 7894 54 2613 | info@solutionvisas.com alternatively, fill out our Free initial assessment form and we will get in touch with you on how to apply for Certificate of entitlement to Right of Abode.
