The UK Home Office has recently set out guidance on how some children can apply for British citizenship without paying the standard fee. This waiver is available to children under 18 who meet the citizenship requirements and whose families cannot afford the application cost. According to the guidance, a child may remain eligible for the waiver even if they turn 18 while the Home Office is still considering their request.
To qualify for the waiver, the child must qualify for British citizenship. At least one parent must have treated the UK as their permanent home and, after the child’s birth, must have become a British citizen or obtained one of several forms of permanent immigration status. These include indefinite leave to remain, settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, indefinite leave to enter the UK or permanent residence status.
The family’s financial situation will also be examined to determine eligibility for the waiver. Eligibility may apply if the household lacks stable accommodation, cannot afford essentials such as food and heating, or has little money left after paying for housing and other basic needs. A waiver may also be considered where paying the citizenship fee would harm the child’s wellbeing or prevent the family from meeting the child’s needs.
A parent or legal guardian can submit the request for a child, and families may include several children from the same household in one application. Children under the care of a local authority follow a separate process, where their guardians do not need to apply for a fee waiver but must provide evidence of the care arrangement with the citizenship application. In such cases, the application will then be free.
Applications for the waiver can be made online or by post, depending on the applicant's location. Applicants in Guernsey and Jersey must use the postal process, while applications from the Isle of Man are not currently accepted under the scheme. Those who apply online and receive approval must also complete the citizenship application online, unless they are unable to complete both stages digitally.
The Home Office requires proof of identity, including documents such as a passport, national identity card or biometric residence permit. Applicants must also provide financial evidence, which may include bank statements, payslips, rent payment records or letters confirming support from a local authority or family members. If the waiver request is approved, the Home Office issues a personalised code known as a token.
The UK has also introduced further visa changes, including switching from physical visa stickers to electronic visas for Nigerian applicants in 2026. Additionally, the Graduate Route post-study work period for most graduates is expected to fall from two years to 18 months from January 2027. These changes aim to streamline the visa application process and adapt to changing immigration policies.
Key points
- Children under 18 from low-income families can apply for British citizenship without paying the standard fee.
- Eligibility for the waiver depends on the child's citizenship status and the family's financial situation.
- Applications for the waiver can be made online or by post, depending on the applicant's location.
