Can immigrants lose their citizenship?

Having secured a British passport is a dream come true for many foreign nationals seeking to live, work and settle in the UK. This means that the person after becoming a British citizen must get the same benefits as any other UK citizen. The person will enjoy all the benefits such as infrastructure, education, lifestyle, social security, economic benefits, medical and healthcare benefits and many more. 

However, it does not mean that you can take undue advantage of your British citizenship. 

The UK visa and immigration has full rights to take away your British citizenship if you are found making serious threats to national security. Let us consider the grounds on which you can lose your citizenship.

Losing your British citizenship if you are a threat to the nation

Simply put, if your behavior is conducive to the public good. Yes, the UK visa and immigration has full authority to take strict measures against you if you are found to be a threat to the nation and national security. 

For example, you could be involved in terrorist activities, creating divide amongst the people through terrorism, have committed grave crimes, be involved in criminal groups and organisations and having adverse behaviour.

Having such behaviour could lead you to British citizenship deprivation. Deprivation means that your case is now a national security issue and punishment will be given the form of taking away your British 

In 2017, 104 such cases had come and British nationals had lost their citizenship. However, you can claim and apply for judicial review if you sense that your humanitarian rights are being jeopardized. The UK visa and immigration office cannot deprive a UK national under the ‘Conducive to Public Good’ clause if the individual will be made stateless.

Deportation after losing your British citizenship

If the UK visa and immigration office has taken away your UK citizenship either by means of nullity or deprivation, then there is a high possibility that you may be deported.

But, by being a British citizen, you will first be nullified, and declared no longer a British citizen and then be deported.

The UK has had a long history of citizens being deported. One such is the Windrush scheme, where many lost their homeland despite working, living in the UK for decades, but because they all moved to the UK as per windrush scheme, they had no paperwork to showcase. 

Losing the British citizenship by renouncing it

Many British citizens renounce their citizenship in order to seek the citizenship of another country that does not allow dual citizenship. In such a case also your British citizenship is taken away and you will be given a declaration of renunciation. You can begin to live permanently in your new country.

Losing citizenship if you moved to another country

Generally speaking, you will not lose your citizenship if you move to another country. The UK allows citizens to keep their citizenship of another country as well. Even triple citizenships are allowed in the UK. 

However, the citizens applying for citizenship of another country must always bear in mind to check with the other countries where they are seeking citizenship, if they allow you to retain your British citizenship or not. Else, you could lose your citizenship in the UK.

Take legal assistance

It is recommended that you seek support from immigration and visa experts to help you with your British citizenship application. A Y & J Solicitors have helped over 4000 clients to achieve their unique immigration and visa journey.

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