The United Kingdom has opened a new pathway for adults who were excluded from obtaining citizenship as British overseas territory citizens and British citizens due to historical legislative unfairness in British nationality law.
The pathway allows for applicants to obtain both types of citizenship through registration if they meet one of the following criteria:
• they were born outside a BOT before Jan. 1, 1983, to a mother born in a BOT; or
• they were born before July 1, 2006, to an unmarried father who was a BOT citizen.
According to the Virgin Islands Civil Registry and Passport Office, which announced the new pathway locally, applicants can register simultaneously for both types of citizenship by downloading forms at www.gov.uk.
Where applicable, they will also have the option to apply for only one of the two citizenships. Applicants are asked to familiarise themselves with the eligibility guidance provided on the UK government website, according to the CRPO.
Only paper application forms will be accepted, and applicants must ensure that application forms and original supporting documents are mailed to the designated address listed on the website.
They are also advised to forward a full-coloured copy of a valid passport.
Biometrics
The UK Home Office will communicate with applicants directly via email regarding their application, according to the CRPO.
Upon receiving notification from the UK Home Office, applicants will be required to enrol their biometric details to verify their identity as part of the registration process.
For that purpose here in the VI, the CRPO has been designated as a biometric centre.
Applicants will be required to present a copy of their application form upon biometric enrolment. For more information, email the CRPO at infocris@gov.vg.