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Guidance

Form B(OTA): guidance

Guidance on registering as a British citizen for Irish citizens and certain types of British national.

Updates to this page

From:
UK Visas and Immigration
Published:
22 March 2019
Last updated:
19 August 2026
Show all updates

  1. Updated the contacts listed in Guide B3: Registration as a British citizen – Irish citizens in the citizenship-related queries section.

  2. Replaced the nationality enquiries email address on form B1 with a link to the contact UKVI webform.

  3. Updated section on application processing times in 'Guide B3: Registration as a British citizen – Irish citizens'.

  4. Updated 'Guide B2: registration as a British citizen following residence in the UK' with information on processing times for the priority service.

  5. Updated Guide B1: registration as a British citizen guidance as the priority service is now live.

  6. Updated guide B1: registration as a British citizen – a guide for British Overseas Territories citizens to provide information on how to destroy a biometric residence permit. Also updated the travelling to and from the UK after becoming a British citizen section.

  7. Guide B3, 'travelling to and from the UK' section: updated a reference to certificates of entitlement to the right of abode, following the change to digital certificates.

  8. The form B(OTA) guidance has been split into 3 guides, following the creation of a new route to citizenship for Irish citizens.

  9. Updated the section on good character.

  10. Updates to the guidance, including how to prove being free from immigration restrictions, evidence of identity, travel after submitting an application, citizenship ceremonies and returning BRPs.

  11. Updated the sections on how to prove being free from immigration restrictions, evidence of identity, travel after submitting an application, citizenship ceremonies, returning biometric residence permits and citizenship-related queries.

  12. Amended to reflect that a biometric residence permit can be used for 18 months from the date of expiry.

  13. Updated Form B(OTA): guidance to update the section on 'Citizenship ban' to reflect changes as a result of the Illegal Migration Act 2023.

  14. Document format and style updated. Outdated information removed or updated accordingly. References and links to fees updated.

  15. Guidance updated to reflect changes introduced by the Illegal Migration Act 2023 and revisions to the sections on good character, lawful residence and freedom from immigration time restrictions.

  16. The guidance has been amended to reflect the changes the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 has made to the requirements for British nationals registering as a British citizen based on a period of residence in the UK.

  17. Added accessible version of guide.

  18. First published.

Documents

Guide B1: registration as a British citizen – a guide for British Overseas Territories citizens (accessible)

HTML

Guide B1: registration as a British citizen – a guide for British Overseas Territories citizens

PDF, 325 KB, 22 pages

Guide B2: registration as a British citizen following residence in the UK (accessible)

HTML

Guide B2: registration as a British citizen following residence in the UK

PDF, 399 KB, 33 pages

Guide B3: Registration as a British citizen – Irish citizens (accessible)

HTML

Guide B3: Registration as a British citizen – Irish citizens

PDF, 345 KB, 30 pages

Details

Guidance on registering for British citizenship using form B(OTA).

Use guide B1 if you’re a British Overseas Territories citizen.

Use guide B2 if you have lived in the UK for 5 years and you’re a:

  • British Overseas Territories citizen
  • British National (Overseas)
  • British Overseas citizen
  • British subject
  • British protected person

Use guide B3 if you’re an Irish citizen.

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