Guidance

General nationality applications: caseworker guidance

Immigration staff guidance on nationality law and common problems you might encounter with applications.

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Published: 27 July 2017
• Last updated: 17 June 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 17 June 2026

     Amendments made to the section on ceremonies, oath and pledge, determination of applications and reconsideration to make them clearer. General updating following review.

  2. 16 May 2023

     Reference to (PN 25/2003) has been removed from section ‘Commonly used terms in Nationality regulations and guidance’ as it no longer applies.

  3. 6 July 2022

     Updated the guide with the latest version, including an amendment to clarify the construal policy.

  4. 30 June 2022

     Guidance updated to clarify the construal policy.

  5. 22 February 2021

     Replaced the existing guidance on general nationality applications with the updated version of the guidance.

  6. 27 July 2017

     First published.

Documents

General information: all British nationals (accessible)

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General information: all British nationals

PDF, 408 KB, 37 pages

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Details

UK Visas and Immigration guidance for staff about:

• the law on nationality applications

• the requirements that an application must meet to be considered

• common aspects of decision making on nationality applications

• taking action to revoke an individual’s indefinite leave to remain

• when an application can be reconsidered

• when a certificate of registration or naturalisation can be issued