British citizenship and the right of abode

This subtopic covers aspects of British citizenship and the right of abode that are most likely to be dealt with by an immigration adviser in day-to-day practice.

The main legislation governing British citizenship is the British Nationality Act 1981 (BNA 1981). All British citizens, and some Commonwealth citizens have the right of abode in the UK. The concept of right of abode is defined in section 2 of the Immigration Act 1971 (IA 1971). Those who have the right of abode in the UK are not subject to immigration control and, subject to limited exceptions, are free to come and go from the UK provided they are able to establish the right, eg through producing a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement.

The right of abode

The right of abode in the UK is an immigration status (IA 1971, s 1(1)). A person who has the right of abode is free to live in, and to come and go into and from, the UK, subject only to restrictions to enable the right to be established or which ...

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