How to apply for UK citizenship fee waiver

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The UK Government has explained how children under 18 who are eligible for British citizenship can apply for a fee waiver if they cannot afford the citizenship application fee.

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According to information gathered by PUNCH Online on the GOV.UK website on Thursday, eligible applicants can apply for a fee waiver so they do not have to pay the citizenship application fee.

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The government said, “You can apply for a fee waiver so you do not have to pay a citizenship application fee.”

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Applicants can apply online or by post, with parents or legal guardians also allowed to apply on behalf of children.

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Who is eligible?

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An applicant must be under 18 and eligible for British citizenship.

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A child can become a British citizen if one of their parents considered the UK as their home and, after the child was born:

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• became a British citizen;
n• got indefinite leave to remain in the UK;
n• got “settled status”, also known as “indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme”;
n• got indefinite leave to enter the UK; or
n• got permanent residence status.n

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Applicants can apply for a fee waiver if they and their parent or guardian cannot pay the fee because:

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• they do not have a place to live and cannot afford one;
n• they are unable to afford essential living costs such as food and heating;
n• they do not have enough money to pay the fee after paying for accommodation and other essential living costs; or
n• paying the fee would mean a child’s needs cannot be met.n

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How to apply

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The UK Government said, “You can either apply online or by post.”

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Applicants from Guernsey or Jersey must apply by post, while the government said, “You cannot currently apply for this fee waiver from the Isle of Man.”

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For postal applications, applicants must fill in a Child Citizenship Fee Waiver Request Form and send it to the address on the form.

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For online applications, applicants can save their form and return to it later.

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Can a parent apply?

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Yes. A parent or legal guardian can apply on behalf of a child.

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The government said, “Your parent or legal guardian can apply on your behalf. They can include their other children in the same application.”

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What documents are required?

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Applicants making an online application will be asked to prove their identity by uploading a copy of an identity document.

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The government listed a passport, national identity card and biometric residence permit as examples.

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It said a biometric residence permit “can be used for 18 months after the expiry date printed on the card”.

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Applicants will also need to provide information about their financial situation.

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This can include:

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• bank statements;
n• letters from local authorities or family members showing they receive financial support;
n• evidence showing they receive public funds;
n• evidence of household earnings, such as payslips; and
n• evidence of household expenses, such as how much rent they pay.n

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What happens after applying?

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The Home Office will send a confirmation email once the application has been submitted.

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If the application is approved, the applicant will receive an email or letter with a personalised code called a token.

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The government said, “Use this code in your citizenship application.”

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Applicants who apply online must receive their fee waiver decision before applying for citizenship.

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The government said, “If you’re applying online for your fee waiver, you must get your decision before you apply for citizenship.”

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If an online fee waiver application is successful, the applicant must then apply for citizenship online. If both applications cannot be completed online, the applicant must apply by post.

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What if you turn 18 while waiting?

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The government said, “If you turn 18 before you get a decision on your fee waiver application, you can still apply for citizenship as a child.”

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It added, “You’ll still get a fee waiver if you’re eligible for it.”

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Who should not apply for the fee waiver?

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Children being looked after by a local authority should not apply for a fee waiver.

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Instead, the government said, “Do not apply for a fee waiver if you’re being looked after by a local authority. Instead, provide evidence of this when you apply for citizenship. The application will be free.”

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