The Home Office guidance on British citizenship (good character requirement) was updated on 10 February 2025. A significant and somewhat controversial change was added. A person who applies for citizenship will normally be refused, if they entered the UK, via a “dangerous journey”.Two examples are given to describe the term ‘dangerous journey’. Those that travelled by a “small boat” or “concealed in a vehicle or other conveyance”. Interestingly, the guidance makes it clear that “it is not limited to” the examples provided thereby giving the Home Office caseworker wider powers to deny citizenship to prospective applicants.
The implications of this amendment are clearly huge. Potentially, thousands of individuals, including refugees, may never qualify for British citizenship, purely because of their mode of entry to the UK.
In practice, individuals impacted by the above can still acquire settled status (Indefinite Leave to Remain). Although this carries significant rights, it still does not amount to being a British citizen. It will be interesting to see how this develops in the coming months. We can expect a lot of challenges from individuals whose application will be refused as a result of the new change. For more information on this change and how it could impact you, please contact Adeeb Chowdhry (Solicitor and Director at Farani Taylor) on adeeb@faranitaylor.com or +447553232379.