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The different types of British nationality explained - British citizen, British overseas territories citizen, British overseas citizen, British subject, British national (overseas), British protected person

• Overview

  There are 6 different types of British nationality. These are: British…

• British citizenship

  You can live and work in the UK free of any immigration controls if you’re…

• British overseas territories citizen

  British overseas territories citizenship was called ‘British dependent…

• British overseas citizen

  You became a British overseas citizen on 1 January 1983 if both of these…

• British subject

  Until 1949, nearly everyone with a close connection to the United Kingdom…

• British national (overseas)

  Someone who was a British overseas territories citizen by connection with…

• British protected person

  You would have become a British protected person on 1 January 1983 if you:…

Apply for British citizenship if you were born in the UK - who's eligible, fees and how to apply

• Who can apply

  You may be eligible to apply to ‘register’ as a British citizen if you…

• If you're under 18

  You can register to become a British citizen if one of your parents…

• If you lived in the UK until you were 10

  If you lived in the UK until you were 10 you might automatically be a…

• After you've applied

  You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months - some applications can take…

There are different ways to apply for British citizenship, including ‘naturalisation’. Check your eligibility to apply.

This guidance explains who the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can help outside the UK.

• Updated: 31 August 2022

VisitBritain (VB) is the national tourism agency, responsible for marketing Britain worldwide and developing Britain’s visitor economy. It works with UK Trade & Investment as well as airlines, travel operators, global brands and the official tourism bodies for London, England,...

• Updated: 14 February 2023

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. It supports peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. The British Council does this through its...

• Updated: 15 April 2021

Apply for British citizenship if you have a British parent - who's eligible, fees and how to apply

• Updated: 29 June 2023

A collection of guidance documents used by UK Visas and Immigration when deciding applications for British nationality.

• Updated: 28 June 2022

The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) is a British public service broadcaster. Its main responsibility is to provide impartial public service broadcasting in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. BBC is a public corporation of the Department for Culture,...

• Updated: 14 February 2023