The UK Government has explained how children under 18 who are eligible for British citizenship can apply for a fee waiver if they cannot afford the citizenship application fee.
According to information gathered by PUNCH Online on the GOV.UK website on Thursday, eligible applicants can apply for a fee waiver so they do not have to pay the citizenship application fee.
The government said, “You can apply for a fee waiver so you do not have to pay a citizenship application fee.”
Applicants can apply online or by post, with parents or legal guardians also allowed to apply on behalf of children.
Who is eligible?
An applicant must be under 18 and eligible for British citizenship.
A child can become a British citizen if one of their parents considered the UK as their home and, after the child was born:
- became a British citizen;
- got indefinite leave to remain in the UK;
- got “settled status”, also known as “indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme”;
- got indefinite leave to enter the UK; or
- got permanent residence status.
Applicants can apply for a fee waiver if they and their parent or guardian cannot pay the fee because:
- they do not have a place to live and cannot afford one;
- they are unable to afford essential living costs such as food and heating;
- they do not have enough money to pay the fee after paying for accommodation and other essential living costs; or
- paying the fee would mean a child’s needs cannot be met.
How to apply
The UK Government said, “You can either apply online or by post.”
Applicants from Guernsey or Jersey must apply by post, while the government said, “You cannot currently apply for this fee waiver from the Isle of Man.”
For postal applications, applicants must fill in a Child Citizenship Fee Waiver Request Form and send it to the address on the form.
For online applications, applicants can save their form and return to it later.
Can a parent apply?
Yes. A parent or legal guardian can apply on behalf of a child.
The government said, “Your parent or legal guardian can apply on your behalf. They can include their other children in the same application.”
What documents are required?
Applicants making an online application will be asked to prove their identity by uploading a copy of an identity document.
The government listed a passport, national identity card and biometric residence permit as examples.
It said a biometric residence permit “can be used for 18 months after the expiry date printed on the card”.
Applicants will also need to provide information about their financial situation.
This can include:
- bank statements;
- letters from local authorities or family members showing they receive financial support;
- evidence showing they receive public funds;
- evidence of household earnings, such as payslips; and
- evidence of household expenses, such as how much rent they pay.
What happens after applying?
The Home Office will send a confirmation email once the application has been submitted.
If the application is approved, the applicant will receive an email or letter with a personalised code called a token.
The government said, “Use this code in your citizenship application.”
Applicants who apply online must receive their fee waiver decision before applying for citizenship.
The government said, “If you’re applying online for your fee waiver, you must get your decision before you apply for citizenship.”
If an online fee waiver application is successful, the applicant must then apply for citizenship online. If both applications cannot be completed online, the applicant must apply by post.
What if you turn 18 while waiting?
The government said, “If you turn 18 before you get a decision on your fee waiver application, you can still apply for citizenship as a child.”
It added, “You’ll still get a fee waiver if you’re eligible for it.”
Who should not apply for the fee waiver?
Children being looked after by a local authority should not apply for a fee waiver.
Instead, the government said, “Do not apply for a fee waiver if you’re being looked after by a local authority. Instead, provide evidence of this when you apply for citizenship. The application will be free.”
