Guidance

History of nationality law: caseworker guidance

Immigration staff guidance providing historical background information on nationality and help with assessing citizenship claims.

Documents

Historical background information on nationality

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Details

UK Visas and Immigration guidance for staff explaining the history of British nationality law, which falls into 4 periods and is marked by key pieces of legislation:

  • before 1915

  • between 1915 and 1948

  • between 1949 and 1983

  • after 1983

This document can be used in conjunction with other nationality guidance to assess citizenship claims where the person’s age requires the different laws in place at the time of their birth be taken into account.

Published 11 October 2017
Last updated 22 May 2023 + show all updates
  1. Accessible version added.

  2. First published.