A Complete Guide to the British Passport ​- Qualifications and Restrictions

Many people worldwide want to get a British Passport but have little to no knowledge about the procedure. Having a British travel pass makes everything easier, from living and working in the country to seamless global travel etc. Moreover, this special document allows access to democratic rights and public services within the country. So, if you are also interested in having a British passport, stay tuned. In this blog, we will cover almost everything you need to know about the document, from eligibility rules to various application methods. Furthermore, learn the renewal process, upgradation method, and the countries you can visit without a Visa.

How to Get a British Passport? Learn the Eligibility and Criteria

Eager to obtain a British passport? You must know that this document’s first and foremost requirement is to be a British citizen. While being born in the country gives an advantage, there are several other ways to have British nationality. So, here are the different methods by which one can indeed have British legal status.

By Birth

People who are born in the UK do not automatically get British citizenship. Even after taking birth in this country, specific requirements will be checked by the officials. Firstly, the professionals will verify when you were born, and secondly, they will confirm your parents’ circumstances at the moment of your birth.

By ILR

You can apply for British citizenship if you have been in the UK for five years and have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or settled status. Make sure to register the application within the next 12 months. As per the authorities, a person who must be over 18 must show proof of living in the UK for five years.

Post-Wedding

A person can also become a British citizen if they marry a British national. However, one can only apply for citizenship if they have lived for three years in the UK. It is also vital to have the ILRs or settled status within the EU settlement scheme.

EU Settlement Scheme

People from Norway, the EU, Iceland, or Liechtenstein are also eligible to apply for UK citizenship if they have been living in the country before 2020. However, they must complete five years of continuous living, which is necessary as per the government rules. Also, one must be a student, a working professional, or self-employed.

Other Eligibility Rules

While the above-discussed regulations are essential, other factors also make a person eligible for a British Passport. So, let’s take a closer look at what they are.

• Those who have British parents are eligible for citizenship.
• Individuals who are descendants of the Chagossian (referring to people born in British-ruled Indian Ocean territory) are also qualified for the nationality.
• If you are stateless, you are allowed to apply for British citizenship.
• If your parents have British overseas territories citizenship, you are eligible to apply for citizenship.

British Passport Application- What is the Procedure?

People who want to apply for a British passport must remember three things. First, being a British national is of utmost importance. Secondly, anyone younger than 16 years of age is not permitted to submit a request for a passport. Lastly, you can apply if you have never had a UK passport until now. While an individual will be able to receive their passport within three weeks, the process can be further delayed if officials need more information from you. To apply for a British passport, here are the steps you will follow.

Online Method

Online application, nowadays, is one of the easiest ways to apply for a travel permit. Please remember to have a debit or credit card before starting the process. Notably, the online application is £12.50 less expensive than the offline mode. Here is a brief explanation of the steps one must take for the procedure.

1- Firstly, visit the official website of the UK government passport application page and create your account.

2- Once you have created your account, complete the application form. Fill in your details correctly.

3- After filling the form, an individual must present certain documents, including photographs, identity proof, and more.

4- When you are done filling out the form, submit your application. You can monitor the progress online.

Offline Method

If you want to apply for a passport offline, you can grab an application form by visiting your nearest post office. This offline procedure takes more time than the online process. You can seek assistance from the post office staff to verify your form and the attached documents. However, this service, unfortunately, is not free of cost. A person will have to pay £16.00, apart from the application fees.

Note- A passport is a key document required for international expeditions. Hence, people who do want to visit abroad must apply beforehand. Additionally, several airlines have their own set of rules and regulations for passengers who do not hold a travel permit. For instance, British Airways does not allow boarding to travelers who do not have proper documentation. Therefore, make sure to verify with your operating air carrier about their guidelines.

What documents are required for a British Passport?

Getting a passport is a legal procedure, and therefore, certain documents are required by the government officials. On top of that, the professionals only accept the original document and not the photocopies. So, make sure you have the original paperwork with you. Furthermore, the documents you will be submitting for the passport must be in Welsh or English. If you do not have it, you must present a certified translation of your paperwork.

Born or Forested in the UK

The documents required for people born in the UK depend on their birth. Here is a complete breakdown of the information most known to the citizens.

1- Born before 1 January 1983- UK nationals born before the mentioned date only need to show their birth or adoption certificate. So, if you were born before 1 January 1983, be ready to show the documents to UK officials.

2- Born After 1 January 1983- People born on 1 January 1983 or after also require a birth or adoption certificate. However, there are other documents that the UK government officials also accept, which are listed below.

• Parents UK birth certificate.
• The British Passport of one of the parents was valid on your birth.
• Home Office registration or naturalisation certificate.
• British Passport number of the mother or father.
• Documentation showing one of your parents’ immigration status in the UK during your birth.

Note- As per the official website of the UK government, a person who will be sending documents of their father must also share the parents’ marriage certificate.

Born Abroad

A person born in another country can also apply for a passport. However, as for the documents, several conditions need to be fulfilled. Let’s look at how you can get a British passport if you belong to a foreign country.

• Certificate of registration or naturalization, or registration.
• A citizen of a British overseas territory born before 1 January 1983 must present their birth certificate and the passport used to enter the country.
• A person born before 1 January 1983 with a father born in the UK needs a birth certificate, a father’s birth certificate, and a parent’s marriage certificate.
• Anyone born on 1 January 1983 or later should be able to present their latest passport, birth certificate, and proof of parents’ British citizenship.

British Passport Photo Requirements- Size and Quality

A passport is a formal document issued by a country’s government to its nationals. It also signifies people as the nation’s citizens; therefore, a photograph is a much-needed requirement. However, simply clicking a photo and pasting it into the document won’t do any good. One must know various guidelines before putting their picture, digitally or offline. Thus, study the following details for learning the photo requirements for a British passport.

Digital Photos

People who want to apply for a passport online must have digital photos. However, the photograph should be at least one month old, even if your face remains unchanged. Specific guidelines must be followed, such as the picture must be in color and not edited by computer software. The photograph should be clear, measuring at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels long. The quality of the photo needs to be at least 50 KB, but it must not exceed 10 MB. The pictures taken on someone’s device should include their head, shoulders, and upper body. One can just upload the photos without making additional changes. The officials themselves will do the editing.

Physical Photos

People who wish to apply for a passport offline need two photos. Both photographs should be similar, measuring 45 millimetres in height and 35 millimetres in width. Make sure to click your picture with a professional photographer, in a light grey or plain cream background. From head to chin, the picture should measure 29 mm and 34 mm in width. Rest, be sure not to have any scratches on your picture.

Is it possible for a person to not receive a British Passport?

Hopefully, you are familiar with how you can obtain a British passport. However, various arguments might make it difficult for someone to get the document. So, read the following points and learn whether you can apply for the passport.

• Those who have an arrest warrant and have committed a significant crime.
• People on bail can not travel overseas under certain conditions.
• Those undergoing a court case who need your presence in the country.
• People who have an EU or UN order restricting their travel.

Ways to Renew or Replace a British Passport

Passport renewal is essential for every citizen. If you have an expired passport or the expiration date is getting closer, it will be better to reactivate it as soon as possible. For renewal, all you need is your old passport or any valid passport you might have from a different nation.

The British passport renewal can be done both online and offline. Digitally, the service will cost you around £94.50. People must ensure they have an online photo, a valid passport, and a debit or credit card. If you want in-person assistance, you can head to a nearby Post Office or contact the Passport Advice line beforehand. One will have to pay £107.

Note- A person must update their British passport if they plan to change their name, appearance, or gender. One can apply online or by paper form, costing £94.50 and £107 respectively. On average, the process can take a few weeks, but you can choose the one-week fast track service if you want.

How to Get a Passport for a Kid?

One can apply for British passport for their kids under 16. The document will be authentic for five years, after which you must renew it before it goes on its next journey. The British passport application fee for children is £61.50 online and £74 offline, through a post office. Please remember that you can only register for a passport for a child if you are a parent or guardian. Within the UK, the average time for obtaining the document is three months.

Parents outside the UK who want to apply for a British passport for their children must ensure their child is a British national. This simply means that one of the parents must be a citizen of the UK. In addition, individuals will require certain documents, which they can learn after contacting the officials.

Visa-Free Countries for British Passport Holders

As one of the most powerful passports in the world, British nationals get a Visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to many other countries. Amazing, isn’t it? Here is a complete list of nations where UK citizens are allowed without a visa or will have to get a visa after reaching their destination.

British passport visa-free countries
France	Italy	Greece	Ireland
Netherlands	Thailand	Barbados	Germany
Spain	Bahamas	UAE	Canada
Switzerland	Portugal	Japan	Vanuatu
Sweden	Hong Kong	Malaysia	Jamaica
Singapore	South Korea	Mexico	Brazil
Peru	Chile	Argentina	South Africa
New Zealand	Fiji	Kenya	Seychelles
Morocco	Mauritius	Australia	Uruguay
Visa-on-Arrival
Indonesia	Sri Lanka	Nepal	Maldives
Jordan	Egypt

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