Skip to main content
Guidance

Good character: caseworker guidance

Immigration staff guidance on assessing the good character requirement in nationality applications.

Updates to this page

From:
UK Visas and Immigration
Published:
27 July 2017
Last updated:
30 April 2026
Show all updates

  1. Updated the good character guidance. A full list of changes can be found within the guidance.

  2. Updated to add the date on page 49 to clarify that applications made after 10 February 2025 that include illegal entry will ‘normally’ be refused citizenship, regardless of when the illegal entry occurred.

  3. Guidance updated to clarify that applications made after 10 February 2025 that include illegal entry will normally be refused citizenship, regardless of when the illegal entry occurred.

  4. Guidance updated to align criminality thresholds with those in part 9 of the Immigration Rules and to provide clarification on exceptional grants; lawful residence changes; UK and UN sanctions.

  5. Added accessible and pdf of updated versions. Aligned with provisions on lawful residence introduced into the British Nationality Act 1981 (BNA) by section 9 and Schedule 1 of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 (NABA), and with differentiation of refugees in section 12 of the NABA 2022. There is also a new section on travel bans and clarification that a fine imposed under the coronavirus regulations counts as a fixed penalty notice. Finally, there is clarification that pending prosecutions include where a person is under investigation but has not yet been charged with an offence.

  6. Updated Good character: nationality policy guidance document

  7. Updated date in details section.

  8. Updated guidance.

  9. Updated guidance.

  10. Updated guidance on good character requirement published.

  11. Updated document.

  12. First published.

Documents

Good character requirement (accessible)

HTML

Good character requirement

PDF, 644 KB, 62 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

UK Visas and Immigration guidance for staff on how to assess the good character requirement in relevant nationality applications.

The guidance has been updated to clarify that applications made after 10 February 2025 that include illegal entry will normally be refused citizenship, regardless of when the illegal entry occurred.

Sign up for emails or print this page

Related content