Chapter 3: Ending Anomalies and Delivering Fairness in British Nationality Law
As we build on our proud record of helping those in need from around the world, it is right that we take this opportunity to correct historical anomalies which have existed for too long at home in British Nationality law.
British Nationality Law has not changed significantly since 1983, and some of the provisions are now outdated.
The reforms we will make to British Nationality law will finally address historical anomalies, which will impact hundreds of people annually, including:
Introducing new registration provisions for children of British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC) to acquire citizenship more easily;
Fixing the injustice which prevents a child from acquiring their father’s citizenship if their mother was married to someone else;
Introducing a new discretionary adult registration route to give the Home Secretary an ability to grant citizenship in compelling and exceptional circumstances where there has been historical unfairness beyond a person’s control;
Creating further flexibility to waive residence requirements for naturalisation in exceptional cases. This will mean Windrush victims are not prevented from qualifying for British Citizenship because they were not able to return to the UK to meet the residence requirements through no fault of their own.