For many Nigerians in the UK, understanding your immigration status is key to securing your future — whether it’s applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), citizenship, or even a British passport.
One area that causes a lot of confusion is the Right of Abode. Let’s break it down for Nigerians — both those who may have qualified before 1983, and those going through the current system today.
What is Right of Abode?
The Right of Abode means you can live, work, and study in the UK without immigration restrictions — just like someone born in Britain.
It can be shown in a non-British passport using a Certificate of Entitlement (a sticker inside your passport).
You either have it or you don’t. Today, it only applies to:
- British citizens, OR
- Commonwealth citizens who already had Right of Abode before 31 December 1982 and have stayed Commonwealth citizens since then.
Nigerians Who May Qualify (Before 1983)
If you were a Commonwealth citizen (including Nigerian) before 1983 and you’ve remained a Commonwealth citizen since then, you may still hold the Right of Abode if:
- Your father or mother was born in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or (before 31 March 1922) Ireland.
- You married (before 1983) a man who was:
- Born in the UK, OR
- A Commonwealth citizen with Right of Abode (e.g., UK-born parent or grandparent).
- You married (before 1949) a man who was a British subject with a UK-born grandparent.
👉🏾 Note: For these rules, Nigeria counts as a qualifying Commonwealth country, but Pakistan and South Africa do not.
Why This Matters for Nigerians
Many Nigerians who came to the UK before the 1980s — or who had parents or grandparents born in Britain — may still hold valuable rights they don’t realise.
This could mean:
✅ You don’t need to follow the Skilled Worker or ILR route.
✅ You may already be entitled to apply for a Certificate of Entitlement, proving your Right of Abode.
✅ You may also qualify directly for British citizenship and a British passport.
How to Apply if You Think You Qualify
Step 1: Check Eligibility
- Review your family history.
- Were your parents/grandparents born in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Ireland (before 1922)?
- Were you married before 1983 to a man with Right of Abode?
Step 2: Gather Evidence
- Birth certificates (yours, parents’, or grandparents’).
- Marriage certificates (if applying through a spouse).
- Old passports showing Commonwealth status before 1983.
Step 3: Apply for a Certificate of Entitlement
- Submit your application to the UK Home Office.
- Apply online here 👉🏾 Apply for a Certificate of Entitlement (Right of Abode)
- If approved, a Certificate of Entitlement will be stamped in your Nigerian passport.
Step 4: Apply for British Citizenship (if eligible)
- Many with Right of Abode may now be entitled to naturalisation as British citizens.
- Once approved, you can apply for a British passport directly.
The Modern Route for Most Nigerians 🇳🇬
For the majority of Nigerians today, Right of Abode won’t apply. Instead, the usual pathway to a British passport is:
- Enter the UK legally
- Skilled Worker Visa, Student Visa, or Family Visa.
- Build up residence
- Skilled Worker route: 5 years → ILR.
- Other visas: usually 10 years → ILR.
- Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
- Show continuous lawful residence.
- Pass the Life in the UK Test + English requirement.
- Apply for British Citizenship
- Usually after 12 months of ILR.
- Must meet residency, language, and good character requirements.
- Apply for a British Passport
- Once you have citizenship, you can apply online or by post here 👉🏾 Apply for a British Passport
- Provide your naturalisation certificate, Nigerian passport, photos, and pay the fee (£82.50 for adults, £53.50 for children).
Key Takeaway for Nigerians in the UK
- If you or your family came to the UK before the 1980s, check if you may already qualify for Right of Abode.
- For most Nigerians today, focus on the visa → ILR → citizenship → passport pathway.
- Always keep your documents safe, stay updated on immigration rules, and plan your long-term pathway early.
👉🏾 Naija UK Connect Tip: Whether through Right of Abode or the ILR route, your goal of holding a British passport is achievable. Start with eligibility checks and build step by step.
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