Many citizenship applicants have to face an eventual wall, after months of effort and financial input, a rejection occurs. This could be through some errors in the paperwork, lack of some piece of information, or misinterpretations about the eligibility. Such British citizenship refusals happen more than you would think. But knowing the pitfalls usually can turn things around.

Failing the Good Character Requirements

The most frequent ground for rejection of a British citizenship application, except for people who are otherwise requalified to apply for citizenship, has remained an application that does not meet the requirement because its applicant is considered "not to be of good character" by the Home Office.

This is in line with the trend of Home Office decision-making over the last six years. Since 2015, the sufficiency of good character has been the most frequent reason for denying citizenship applications.

In the most easily understood instances, good character would refer to a refusal for those with criminal records. However, it is also an interpretation that could be broadened to include both criminal and noncriminal conduct, as well as financial integrity or notoriety. Last year the Home Office issued new guidance on this, which anyone concerned should read on the immigration website of the UK government.
 

Insufficient Knowledge of Life in the UK and the English Language 

An approved life in the UK test is needed to become a successful applicant for British citizenship. They also have language requirements for proving their English proficiency to the required B1 level, if they have not come from a country whose official languages include English.

From our experience, citizenship refusals on this basis usually relate to the location and when the evidence of knowledge in the English language was obtained. The Home Office accepts only those English qualifications from certain approved institutions, and that list keeps changing. The other certificates can expire too.

Failure to Meet the Eligibility Requirements 

Citizenship applications might be rejected when one among the following denotes the fact that the individual is not eligible for it:

• Insufficient time spent in the UK

• No evidence regarding the birth in the UK or a British parent

• No indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or EUSS settled status for 12 months or more

• English language requirements not met

• Life in the UK test not passed

• Inquiries made by the Home Office are not responded to within the required time. 
  
  

Missing or Incorrect Documentation 

It might even be a simple typo or it could be as complicated as having one or more documents missing completely. A classic example is one of the most recent applicants whose application was refused due to a mismatch of names on her and her mother's birth certificates; it caused the problem by just a misprint.

Mistakes by the Home Office

Yes, there are times when the refusal has nothing to do with you, the Home Office is also capable of making erroneous judgments. This is the time when we can apply for a Nationality Review, requesting the Home Office to reconsider the matter without a formal appeal. This is an important service if you think they have made a factual or legal mistake in looking at your case.

Complexity in Family Situations

The more complicated the family situation, such as a child born to British parents overseas or an individual seeking citizenship through ancestry, the more complicated the proceedings become. So can adoption, surrogacy, and incomplete family records lead to refusals. Hiring an immigration solicitor will ensure that your particular situation is understood and presented properly.

Residency and Naturalization Problems

If you are applying for citizenship through the naturalization process, you will need to meet very rigid residency requirements and prove that you have a tie to the United Kingdom; otherwise, your application may be rejected for inadequate proof. Immigration solicitors will make sure that all your documents and evidence of residence are squeaky clean. 

Requesting the Home Office for Reconsideration of Citizenship Application 

You can write to the Home Office for reconsideration of their decision if you do not agree with the reasons for refusal. The request for reconsideration of the citizenship application can be made using 'Form NR Reconsideration of Decisions to Refuse British Citizenship.'1 Payment of £372 is also required. Should the decision be against you, and subsequently you are granted citizenship, this fee will be refunded.

If this application to reconsider the application for citizenship does not succeed, you may be able to request a Judicial Review. A Judicial Review means that you are disputing the legal basis on which your citizenship application was denied. The application process can take a long time, and it also proves costly. Hence you are advised to seek legal advice from an immigration solicitor before thinking about this option. Immigration solicitors will abide by the accurate process for Judicial Review, including the pre-action protocol. In some cases, it may be possible for an early decision to be reached before proceeding to court.

Procedural or Technical Slip-ups

Even the tiniest mistakes like a missed deadline for an application or submission of an incorrect form can trip one big time. This is where an immigration solicitor helps, through very detailed steps and takes care of every minor detail to make sure nothing is left out to avoid refusals that could so easily happen.

Conclusion 

It is important to review your application before submitting it and ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements. Read the eligibility for British citizenship on the official website of the UK government to understand whether you are eligible and what documents you need to provide. Also, hiring an immigration solicitor is a great option as they can support you in complex cases and provide expert guidance. This will ensure that your application complies with the requirements of the UK government and you don't face citizenship refusals.