With a future fee increase approaching for applications for British citizenship (see Home Office Immigration Fee Increases: Impact on British Citizenship, Travel & Worker Sponsorship), applicants ought to be aware of an update to the Home Office ‘good character’ guidance effective from 10th February 2025 to avoid a potential expensive loss on payment of application fees.
As part of an application to register or naturalise as a British citizen, most applicants who are aged 10 or over require to meet what is known as the ‘good character’ requirement, amongst other requirements.
‘Good character’ is not defined in the British Nationality Act 1981 where the requirement is listed. Instead, the published Home Office guidance outlines factors to be taken into account by the decision maker when assessing if a person is of ‘good character’. A variety of different factors are considered, which include but are not limited to, criminality and immigration-related matters.
The updated guidance has now been amended to include a ‘clarification’ regarding illegal entry and dangerous journeys to the UK. The guidance states that an application for citizenship made after 10th February 2025 will ‘normally’ be refused ‘regardless of the time that has passed since … illegal entry took place’.
The guidance also states that persons who previously arrived without a valid visa who have made a dangerous journey to the UK will also ‘normally’ be refused citizenship.
If you are unsure if you will meet the good character requirement, particularly in light of the recent changes to the guidance, or if you wish advice on applying for British citizenship, then please do not hesitate to contact one of the experienced solicitors in our immigration team for advice and assistance.
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