Having British citizenship makes you a UK national. Before then, you have limited benefits of living in the United Kingdom. Once you become a citizen, you gain full civic rights like any other national.
As an immigrant, you may be issued British citizenship if you have the following:
- Successfully registered as a British citizen
- Completed 10 years of leave to remain in the UK, got indefinite leave, and then successfully applied to become a British citizen.
When you have completed 10 years of leave to remain in the UK, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). The ILR is a permanently settled status that you no longer have to renew. You can apply for British citizenship a year after you get the ILR.
The right to live in the UK forever
As a British citizen, you’ll no longer be subjected to immigration scrutiny. You can reside, work, and study in the UK without immigration restrictions. You’re within your rights if you decide never to return to your home country.
Free NHS medical care
All British citizens are entitled to free healthcare through the UK’s National Healthcare Service. Although the healthcare service is free for all UK residents, you need an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) to access free healthcare as a non-British citizen.
Right to a British passport
The UK passport is one of the most powerful passports in the world. British passports are available to all British nationals. You can travel visa-free to 139 countries and nine countries where you’ll be granted a visa on arrival (VOA).
Right to vote and be voted for
Now, you can accomplish your political goal of becoming the Prime Minister! In addition to participating in the election process, British citizens have the right to run for public office in referendums and national and local positions.
Lower tuition fees
Despite the influx of international students, there’s still a significant gap between home fees and universities in the UK. As a British citizen, you can pay lower tuition fees.
An Edinburgh university home fees are around £9,000, while overseas fees range from £14,000 to £16,000. London Imperial College home fees are £9,250, while overseas students range from £32,000 to £45,300.
Ability to pass your British citizenship to your children
Your children will be British citizens if they are born in the UK with a parent who has an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), a settled status, or permanent residency. However, if your kids were born outside of the UK, they can only receive British citizenship if they are the child of a British citizen.
