Main implications
The conditions for naturalisation were changed: among other changes, the period of residence that was required before naturalisation was defined as three to eight years, depending on the circumstances (among other aspects, 'activity conditions' played a role, i.e. whether the applicant was doing voluntary work or was otherwise actively engaged in his or her community of residence). In each of these years, the applicant for naturalisation was not allowed to leave the United Kingdom for more than 90 days. In addition, the act stipulated that throughout the period of residence, the applicant must have had a qualifying immigration status and must not have been in breach of any immigration law. On the date of application, he or she must have been in possession of a specified immigrant status. The Secretary of State was entitled to waive some of these requirements and to change the period of time that an applicant was required to have lived in the UK. Other naturalisation requirements defined in older laws still applied.
The act introduced the concept of probationary citizenship leave as a qualifying immigration status.
The fact that an application candidate for naturalisation served the Crown was no longer an alternative requirement for naturalisation which could replace residency requirements. The Secretary of State was, however, given the authority to waive the need to fulfil all or some of the naturalisation requirements if the applicant for naturalisation had served or was serving in the armed forces or if the applicant had performed exceptionally in the service of the Crown outside the UK.
The regulations specifying the naturalisation of a partner of a British citizenship (spouse, civil partner or other specified family association) were amended. Again, the Secretary of State was given the authority to waive some of the requirements.
A person who was born in the UK to a member of the armed forces in the UK or a qualifying territory acquired British citizenship at birth. A person who was born in the UK and whose mother or father became a member of the armed forces while he/she was a minor was entitled to be registered as a British citizen. Special provisions were also made regarding the registration as British citizens of children of members of the armed forces who were born outside the UK and qualifying territories.
The legal options for registering specified minor children (being descendants of British citizens, etc.) as British citizens were extended somewhat.
The options for persons without other citizenship to register as a British citizen were extended to include not only British Overseas Citizens, British Subjects, and British Protected Persons, but also British Nationals (Overseas).
The options for belatedly acquiring British citizenship because of having a mother of British citizenship were extended.
The requirement to be of good character was extended to additional cases of naturalisation or registration. It applied to applicants having attained the age of ten years.
