Naturalisation and Registration as a British Citizen
CUSTOMER NOTICE
The Nationality Office will be closed on the following dates:
- Wednesday 5 July (Tynwald Day)
- Monday 28 August 2017 (Bank Holiday)
- Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 December 2017
- Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 January 2018
Naturalisation and Registration as a British Citizen
The Isle of Man Nationality Service deals with all naturalisation and registration applications for Isle of Man residents. The British Government is responsible for the laws covering British citizenship through the British Nationality Act 1981 (BNA) which applies to the Isle of Man.
Naturalisation allows someone to become a British citizen and obtain the same rights and privileges as someone who was born a British citizen.
Becoming a British citizen is a significant life event. Apart from allowing you to apply for a British passport, British citizenship gives you the opportunity to participate more fully in the life of your local community.
You may be eligible for naturalisation if you've lived in the United Kingdom (UK) or Islands for five years or more and meet the English language requirement. Alternatively, if you are married to a British citizen and have lived in the UK or Islands for three years or more and meet the English language requirement, you may also be eligible.
Registration is a similar process although mainly for minors and persons who already hold a British nationality status other than British citizenship. In some cases there is an entitlement to register.
For your application to succeed you will need to show that you satisfy a number of requirements that are set out in the 'Criteria and qualifications' section of this website.
The Application Process
The process of becoming a British citizen can be a complex and lengthy one which culminates in their swearing or affirming an oath of allegiance to the monarch and the taking of a pledge of loyalty to the UK at a special ceremony.
Applicants should allow up to 12 months from the date of submitting their fully completed application to being invited to attend their citizenship ceremony.
During this time the Nationality Service conducts background checks to ensure that the applicants (where applicable) meet the good character requirements and have their biometrics enrolled. Many parts of the process are carried out by the Home Office in the UK and other Government Departments. Traditionally, it is these off-island elements of the process that can take the most time to complete, and which fall outside of our control and influence.
Applicants must attend a citizenship ceremony within 3 months of the date of their initial invitation
Please Note
Applicants should not be reliant on having a British passport within a set time frame and therefore should not allow the validity on their foreign passport to run down to such a position that they cannot continue to use it for travel until such time as they receive a British passport.
The Nationality Service do not accept any responsibility for travel booked by an applicant in anticipation of having a British passport.
The information provided on our website is not intended to be comprehensive nor is it a complete statement of immigration and nationality law or policy.
|
Office opening hours (the same as the Passport Office) Telephone hours |
