Immigration and Nationality

• 01. Introduction

• There are many laws and rules which say who can come into the UK. It depends on why you are coming and whether you want to stay permanently. This leaflet deals with your rights to come to the UK and stay...

• 02. Do I need permission to come to the UK?

• Only people who have the 'right of abode' in the UK can come here without any immigration controls. This includes all British citizens, and a small number of Commonwealth and other British nationals (see 'Who has a right to British nationality?' ). This...

• 03. How is entry to the UK controlled?

• There are four places where you may need to show that you are allowed to come to or stay in the UK. They are: at a British embassy or other consular post overseas, when you apply for a visa (or other kind of entry clearance); at a British airport or...

• 04. What sort of permission do I need to come to the UK?

• The type of permission ('entry clearance' or 'visa') you need to come to the UK depends on: your nationality; why you are coming to the UK; and whether you are visiting or want to settle here. If you already have permission to stay, whether for...

• 05. What if I want to work in the UK?

• If you want to work in the UK, you will also usually need a work permit. If a company here wants to employ you, it is up to them to apply for the work permit, not you. In most cases, your husband or wife and any children under 18 who are dependent on you...

• 06. What restrictions are there after I've arrived in the UK?

• When you are given permission to enter the UK, you will be told the conditions of your stay. These conditions will be given to you in writing. If you arrive with a tour group, the notice may be given to the group leader. In other cases, the conditions will...

• 07. What if I want to settle in the UK?

• With some kinds of entry permit, you may be allowed to settle in the UK, as long as you meet certain conditions. If you want family members to join you here, they may have to live here for a certain length of time before they will have the right to live here...

• 08. What if I stay longer than I am allowed to?

• It is against the law to stay in the UK beyond your time limit, unless: you have applied to the Home Office for permission to stay longer or to settle and you are waiting for a decision; or you are appealing against a refusal. Otherwise you become...

• 09. How can I appeal if my application is turned down?

• Whether you can appeal if your immigration application is refused depends on what you were applying for and where the decision was made. If you are refused entry clearance overseas, you can usually appeal. You will not be able to appeal if: you...

• 10. Who has a right to British nationality?

• There are six types of nationality. All of them can have a British passport. The largest group is British citizens, who have the 'right of abode'. Most children born in the UK become British citizens when they are born. Until the law was changed at the...

• 11. How can I become a British citizen?

• If you have been allowed to settle (stay here permanently), you can apply for citizenship under a process called 'naturalisation'. There are two main ways of doing this: If you have lived in the UK for five years, you have been settled here for the...

• 12. Where can I get help with my immigration application?

• If you are making an application or appeal, and you do not have enough money to pay for a lawyer, you should be able to get specialist help or advice free through the Community Legal Service. It is against the law for someone to offer advice or help with...

• 13. Terms used in immigration and nationality issues

• Au pair Young people who are citizens of European countries and who can come to the UK to live with an English-speaking family for up to two years. Common travel area The UK along with the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands and the Republic of Ireland....

• 14. Further help

• The Immigration Law Practitioners Association (ILPA) phone: 020 7251 8383 The website of The Immigration Law Practitioners Association (ILPA) The Home Office For more information about immigration rules...