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British Citizenship Refused: What Are Your Options?

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Introduction

Applying for British citizenship can be a daunting and complex process, even at the best of times. If you have had your application to become a British citizen refused, your situation will become even more stressful, and it can be difficult to know what to do next.

If a naturalisation application is refused, there is no right of appeal against the decision. However, this does not mean that there are no options available to you. By seeking legal advice and making yourself aware of your rights in this situation, you will be able to make an informed decision on what to do next.

Here, we will provide an in-depth look at the steps you can take if you have had your British citizenship application refused, as well as ways to maximise your chances of a successful outcome.

Call us today on 0300 131 6767 or complete our enquiry form and we will get straight back to you.

Can I appeal if my application for British citizenship is refused?

Unfortunately, under the terms of the British Nationality Act 1981, there is no statutory right of appeal against a decision to refuse British citizenship. For people with UK settled status or indefinite leave to remain, becoming a British citizen is a vital step towards obtaining a UK passport and the right to vote, which means that a refused British citizenship application will come as a major setback.

However, there are options available to those who have had their citizenship application refused, specifically if you believe that the citizenship refusal decision was incorrect with regards to the law or proper administrative process. In these cases, it is advisable to seek legal advice from qualified immigration lawyers as soon as possible to see if you have grounds for the decision to be reconsidered.

What are your options if your citizenship application is refused?

If your British citizenship application is refused, you have two primary options available to you:

Request a reconsideration

You can ask the Home Office to reconsider its decision to refuse a British citizenship application if you believe there has been a mistake or an oversight in their assessment. If they find circumstances sufficiently compelling to reopen the application, this may lead to a different decision.

Examples of situations that might justify consideration of reopening a case include:

  • The application was not judged on the correct requirements or criteria
  • The caseworker failed to take into account of all of the relevant documentation
  • An application was incorrectly refused for a lack of response to enquiries, when a response had actually been provided
  • Sufficient time was not allowed for completion of enquiries relating to the application

Requests to reopen applications must be made in writing within 28 days of receiving the refusal decision. It is important to note that a request for reconsideration does not guarantee a change in the decision, and the Home Office may still uphold the original refusal.

A fee is payable, which is refundable if your reconsideration is successful. Note: these cases are currently taking months to be decided.

Submit a fresh application

When a British citizenship application is refused, the letter notifying you of the decision will explain the reasons for the refusal. If you are able to address and correct these issues, it is possible to submit a new application, providing the necessary documentation and evidence to satisfy the Home Office's requirements and gain British citizenship. This will be a better, quicker option than reconsideration in many instances.

By submitting a fresh application, you will need to pay the fee for handling and processing your application again.

How will a refusal decision be reconsidered by the Home Office?

When you request a reconsideration of the refusal decision, the Home Office will review your application and the reasons for refusal. It is important to provide a detailed explanation of why you believe the decision was incorrect, along with any relevant documents and additional evidence that supports your claim. The Home Office will then assess your request and determine whether there is a valid reason to overturn the refusal.

When reconsidering citizenship applications, Home Office caseworkers will look at the following:

  • Whether the application meets all of the criteria set out under the British Nationality Act 1981 and related, published guidance
  • If not, whether any grounds for discretion exist within the rules that can be applied to your case
  • Whether there is any legal precedent for citizenship to be granted in circumstances similar to yours
  • If not, whether there are grounds to create a further precedent with regards to the details of your case

It is important to be aware that reconsideration requests can take many months to be processed, and there is no guarantee that the outcome will be favourable.

If the Home Office decides not to overturn the decision, we can advise you on the viability of a judicial review, which means you are challenging the legal basis for the refusal. However, you should be aware that judicial review proceedings can be costly and time-consuming, so it is important to seek legal advice from an expert immigration solicitor before considering this as an option. Naturalisation judicial reviews are particularly difficult, with the courts giving the Home Office a wide degree of discretion in interpreting, for example, the good character requirements of its policy guidance as it relates to criminal convictions or immigration compliance issues.

How can I request for my refusal decision to be reconsidered?

To request for British citizenship applications to be considered, you must submit a written request to the Home Office using Form NR within 28 days of receiving the refusal decision. This should include the following information:

  • Full name and address
  • Date of birth
  • Home Office reference
  • Email and telephone number
  • Details of any agents or immigration lawyers representing you

You must also provide a detailed explanation of why you believe the decision was incorrect, along with any additional evidence that supports your claim. Specifically, Form NR asks the following questions:

  • Was your application refused because you had not provided the requested information and you believe this had been provided by the due date?
  • Do you believe that the decision was reached prematurely before you were able to supply all relevant documentation?
  • Do you believe that the decision was incorrect according to the law?

When you apply to the Home Office to reconsider the refusal of a citizenship application, you will need to pay an additional fee of £372. This will be returned if the decision is reversed and your application is approved, minus the cost of any citizenship ceremony fees that have already been refunded.

What is the difference between a citizenship application being refused or rejected?

A refused application is one that has been assessed and deemed not to meet the necessary requirements for British citizenship. This could be due to insufficient evidence, failing to satisfy the good character requirement, or not meeting other eligibility criteria.

A rejection, on the other hand, means that no substantive consideration of your citizenship application has taken place. This typically occurs when a naturalisation application is incomplete, contains errors or lacks the necessary supporting documents. In such cases, the Home Office will return the application along with the fees paid (less an administration fee), allowing the applicant to correct the issues and resubmit the application.

Will my naturalisation fee be refunded if my British citizenship application is refused?

Unfortunately, the fees paid to the Home Office for your naturalisation application - except for the small component that pays for the citizenship ceremony (currently £80) will be non-refundable in the event of a refusal. This fee covers the administrative costs associated with processing the application, which is incurred regardless of the outcome.

However, if your application is rejected rather than refused, the Home Office will return the application along with the fees paid, allowing you to correct the issues and resubmit the application.

How can I maximise the chances of a successful naturalisation application?

There are several ways to maximise your chances of a successful outcome when applying for British citizenship:

  • Understand the eligibility criteria - ensure that you meet all the requirements for British citizenship before submitting your application. This includes having the correct immigration status, meeting the residence requirements, being of good character, passing the Life in the UK Test (which can be booked here), and demonstrating a good level of English language proficiency.
  • Provide accurate and complete information - it is crucial to ensure that your application form is filled out correctly and that all the required information is provided. Double-check the application for errors and omissions before submission.
  • Gather strong supporting evidence - provide comprehensive supporting documentation to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility criteria. This may include proof of residence, employment history, tax records and evidence of your English language skills.
  • Seek professional advice - if you are unsure about any aspect of your application or the process, it can be beneficial to consult with an experienced solicitor with in-depth knowledge of UK immigration law. They can provide guidance on the application process, help you gather the necessary documentation, and ensure that your application is submitted correctly.

For an initial consultation, call us now on 0300 131 6767

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How we can help


Latitude Law’s specialist team has dealt with many complex nationality matters and has experience with reconsideration requests for a British nationality application. British nationality law can be complex, with specific eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and legal nuances. We can ensure that first your nationality application meets all the necessary legal standards.

In the event that the application has already been refused, we can help construct a compelling argument for reconsideration by clearly articulating why the initial decision should be reviewed, relying on the rule and caselaw precedents, when applicable.

While it's possible to handle a reconsideration request on your own, instructing Latitude Law team can significantly increase the likelihood of a favourable outcome.

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Why choose Latitude Law?

We understand how challenging it can be to deal with British citizenship issues after being refused in the UK. That is why our team of experienced solicitors, who have many years of experience in immigration law, will do everything they can to help your British citizenship application after refusal be successful.

We are pleased to be recognised as a leading law firm by the following independent bodies: The Times Best Law Firms 2024, Chambers & Partners 2024, Legal 500 2024 and Who'sWhoLegal 2024. These endorsements from the international legal directories demonstrate our integrity and success in dealing with difficult cases. We are also proud of our 5-star Google reviews from over 150 satisfied clients.

Call us today on 0300 131 6767 or fill out our enquiry form and we will get straight back to you. Let our legal experts take the uncertainty out of applying for British citizenship after refusal so you can start your successful journey to the UK today.

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Contact us

As the requirements for applying for British citizenship after refusal are complex, to ensure success, you should seek specialist advice from an immigration solicitor before you proceed with an application. Latitude Law’s specialist lawyers can advise you about your individual requirements and ensure that your supporting documentation is compliant with the very latest immigration rules.

Get in touch with our legal team today on 0300 131 6767 or fill out our enquiry form and we will get straight back to you. Face your future knowing you have the dedicated support of one of our expert lawyers.

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